Hiking in Lanzarote: 3 Volcanoes Hike
Updated August 20th, 2020
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Did you know you can go hiking in Lanzarote? It isn’t all about lounging around the pool or the beach on this Canary Island! Timanfaya National Park is the top place to visit on the island and one of the most visited national parks in Spain. Volcanoes erupted between 1730 and 1736 and covered the area that is now the national park in volcanic rock and lava. No-one died during these eruptions, but many villagers had to flee their homes and relocate. Some say the area resembles the landscape of Mars. It has even been used for the filming of many movies, including: One Million Years BC, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Doctor Who.
You can visit the national park on the guided Lanzarote South Tour or you can do a guided small group hike of the volcanoes around the park known as the fire mountains (Montañas del Fuego). Either way you will be impressed with the unique landscapes in Lanzarote, but on the 3 volcanoes hike you will be able to get up close and personal with the volcanoes! You will be able to hike in, on and around three different volcanoes in the area surrounding Timanfaya National Park.
Hiking in Lanzarote: 3 Volcanoes Hike
Pick-Ups
The 3 volcanoes hike starts with a pick-up at your accommodation. There was only one other person to pick-up after me, which I somehow ended up directing the driver to their hotel! It was at my first night’s hotel so I knew the way. My only thought at the time was, I hope our guide is better at directions than this lady is!
First Stop: Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores
Our first stop was a quick pit stop around 10am to visit an 18th century Catholic church in la Mancha Blanca. It was our last opportunity for actual toilets. That was a bit stressful for me, to say the least.
Volcano #1
Then it was on to our first volcano! We started by hiking to the edge of the La Rilla crater. While it is the longest and steepest hike out of the three hikes, it isn’t too strenuous.
Volcano #2
The next hike was around the bottom of la Montaña Colorada.
Here we saw a volcanic bomb. While the volcanologists have confirmed it is a volcanic bomb, they do not know from which volcano.
Volcano #3
El Volcán del Cuervo was the last hike. We were able to walk down inside the actual crater.
Hiking in Lanzarote isn’t the first thing most people think of when they envision their time vacationing in the Canary Islands. It is a rare experience to be able to go hiking in Lanzarote on, in and around volcanoes! The landscape was like nothing I have seen before.
Throughout the walks there was TONS of information given about the geology and history of the volcanoes. Unfortunately it was a little too much and very detailed for me to remember everything. Besides if I told you everything now there wouldn’t be anything left for you to learn when you do the hikes yourself!
3 Volcanos Hike Information
Where
Pick-ups from the main resort towns in Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands. Towns with pick-ups include: Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen. Pick-ups for different resort towns on different days.
Booking
I did this 3 volcanoes guided walking tour. There is also a similar four hour volcano hike.
Review
The description on Viator is fairly accurate for the actual hike.
Although the total walking time is almost four hours, it is a fairly easy walk. There are a lot of stops to learn about the geology and history of the area. If you truly want an in-depth understanding this is a great tour for you. Also if you want an easier walk where you are able to take frequent breaks, but still explore the volcanoes on foot it would be an ideal guided walking tour.
The stops were a bit too frequent and long for me. I would have preferred the focus to be more on walking a greater distance with a little less information.
Despite the cons I do think it is worth it to explore the area on foot.
Recommendations
Although they are not the most strenuous or difficult paths to hike, I was still happy to be wearing hiking shoes and clothes.
Toilets
Pickups were around 9 – 9:30am. Then we had a quick pit stop around 10am to visit a church in la Mancha Blanca and have our last opportunity for actual toilets until we finished the walk and stopped in a cafe on the way home at around 2:30pm. If need be the lunch break in nature after the first volcano is the best time to relieve yourself.
Food
A simple, but nice, packed lunch of a sandwich, piece of fruit and water bottle is included.
Where to Stay
I came from Costa Tequise when I did the hiking day tour. I stayed at Vitalclass Lanzarote Resort, a large resort with an all-inclusive option. It was a great base for day tours and close to the beach. I had a huge apartment and access to the pools and gym all for a reasonable price.
In Arrecife I stayed at Hotel Miramar, a smaller place that felt more family-run. I loved the views of the glistening, blue sea from the rooftop where breakfast was served.
In Playa Blanca I stayed at a pristine all-inclusive resort called Boutique Hotel H10 White Suites – Adults Only. The tropical feel made me feel like I was worlds away and I absolutely loved the breakfast and dinner buffets.
I didn’t make it to Puerto del Carmen, but I know it’s known for it’s beaches and the nearby Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park. Look for somewhere to stay here.
More about Lanzarote
- A full Lanzarote Guide and Travel Itinerary
- What to Eat in Lanzarote
- Activities: Lanzarote South Tour, Submarine Adventure, Kayaking & Snorkeling in Papagayo Beach, Museo del Historia, What to Do in Arrecife, César Manrique Sights. and What to Do in Play Blanca.
- Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Arrecife, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise
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22 Comments
Kathleen
This would be an interesting hiking adventure for sure. Like you, I don’t think I would like the long, frequent breaks. It’s one of the reasons I shy away from tour groups, although sometimes, they can’t be helps. Your photos at the third volcano make the people look so small. It must have been such a huge area. If you like volcano tourism, I’ve read that Reunion Island, off the coast of Madagascar, has great options.
admin
I can go either way about tours. I have had some really great small group tours and when I am alone I always do tours when I go hiking. I will have to check out Reunion Island 🙂
Shreya Saha
This is an informative post about Lanzarote. I was aware of hiking in Canary Islands place before and I think it has some great hiking spots. Thanks for sharing the toilet spot information. It’s actually very important to know.
admin
I would love to check out some more of the hiking spots in Lanzarote. I think toilet spots are important to know too!
Jojo
People don’t think about it sometimes but toilet information is so helpful do things like this. Have to know how much water I should or shouldn’t be drinking!
The driver not knowing directions would have concerned me too. Especially because you were by yourself. Glad it worked out!
admin
I’m glad you think the toilet info is useful! It is always something I want to know, but often is really hard to find out ahead of time.
Adele Gee
I have always been impressed by Volcanic landscapes and I have not been to Lanzarote though its on my list. Its cool to see pictures and information about the hikes available. Great tip on the toilet break too. I often find that important piece of information missing so thanks for including that.
admin
I agree! I try to add in the information for places and activities that can easily be left out. Glad it is helpful 🙂 Lanzarote is great, I hope you get to visit one day!
Candy
I know what you mean about being nervous about only have one bathroom stop. From AM and then not having a bathroom until many hours later can be a bit stressful if you’re drinking lots of water! I’ve never done a volcanic hike and the scenery is so interesting. It really does kinda resemble Mars and I can see why films have been shot here.
admin
The scenery is really interesting in Lanzarote! Glad I am not the only one that gets nervous about the lack of bathroom stops 🙂
MacKenzie
Three volcanoes in one hike?! I had no idea – how cool! I would love to do this in the Canary Islands instead of the “normal” stuff, haha.
The Fearless Foreigner
Most people don’t think of the Canary Islands as a place to go hiking, especially on volcanoes!
Andrea Peacock
Wow, three volcanoes in one day?! What a unique experience! That’s so cool you got to learn about the geology and the history of the volcanoes too.
The Fearless Foreigner
It was a really cool experience!
Chelsea
This looks so fun and by the sounds of it, something very unique in the area. I have never seen volcanoes up close so this would be awesome!
The fact there is no toilets for a long time scares me though, I pee so much!! Hah
The Fearless Foreigner
The lack of toilets definitely bothered me too. It’s the thing I dislike about hiking the most. It is a really cool experience though!
katy kuhlwilm
Love this kind of thing. The hike looks amazing and love the practical tips such as toilet locations! 😀
The Fearless Foreigner
Glad the practical tips were helpful!
Ophelie
Amazing I love to hike volcanoes: they are always so impressive! Thanks for all the info!
The Fearless Foreigner
Volcanoes are really impressive! Thanks for reading 🙂
Alanna Koritzke
This looks like such a cool spot! I had no idea there were volcanoes there! I’m a big fan of natural geological wonders so that’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing.
The Fearless Foreigner
You should definitely check out Lanzarote then! You learn a lot about the volcanoes on the hike.