The 5 Very Best Hikes in Lanzarote

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Lanzarote is an absolute dream to go hiking, with landscapes you can’t find anywhere else on planet earth. To me it sometimes felt like a mix between the best of Teide National Park on Tenerife and the rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar in Iceland. Oh and to top it off you’ll be either surrounded by volcanoes, on top of a volcano or inside of a volcano.

All of these hiking trails in Lanzarote are located within the Natural Park Los Volcanes in the heart of the island. Here, every trail tells a story of earth, fire, and ocean.

At the time of this holiday our son César was around 14 months old and fortunately he still loves sitting in his hiking carrier, watching the landscapes around him and napping while we’re on the trail.

I’ve listed the hikes in this article according to my own personal ranking and included the best photos from during the hike so you’ll know what to expect!

So lace up your boots, pack your sense of wonder, and prepare to discover the paths less traveled in the striking corners of Lanzarote!

The 5 best hiking trails in Lanzarote
The best time to go hiking on Lanzarote
Essential Tips for hiking in Lanzarote
Where to stay on Lanzarote

The 5 best hiking trails in Lanzarote

1. Valley of Silence Trail

Hiking Distance – 9km

Elevation – 50m

Route Type – Loop

Duration – 3 hours

Level – Easy

Parking Lot – We joined an official guide for this hike and I highly recommend it! This wasn’t a sponsored activity but one that we paid for ourselves and as you can see, this hike made it to number one 1 on the list!

Best time to visit – Lanzarote is a year round hiking destination

This hike leads you through the heart of Los Volcanes Natural Park and according to our guide it will soon only be possible to visit this trail with an official guide. The locals really want to preserve the nature of Lanzarote and I totally understand where they’re coming from after seeing some of the tourists behaving on the trails.

This particular hike in Lanzarote let’s you discover the many eruptions of the Timanfaya mountains that took place during the period from 1730-1736. This lead to the creation of all the varied volcanic geoforms that you can discover during this hike.

From walking next to a wall of lava, to climbing a volcano and hiking on a caldera. This hike really has it all and I was so happy that we booked it!

They’re only allowed to take a maximum of 10 people per tour and our guide, Ula, gave us plenty of time to take photos, besides providing excellent knowledge about the Los Volcanes Natural Park and its history!

Book your hiking tour

2. Caldera Blanca Volcano

Hiking Distance – 9.3km

Elevation – 406m

Route Type – Lollipop Circuit

Duration – 3 hours

Level – Easy to moderate

Parking Lot – Parking rando caldera Blanca.

Best time to visit – The hike up to the Caldera Blanco Volcano requires some elevation gain compared to the other hikes on this list so best to avoid the middle of the day. If you’re up for it this is an incredible hike to do for either sunrise or sunset due to the 360° views you have on the top

While planning our holiday in Lanzarote I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to include this hike. But I am so glad that we decided to send it on our last day!

While the crater in itself is massive and spectacular on its own it’s the views when you’re at the top that make it number two on this list!

The trail starts with a 2km hike through the lava fields before you make your way around the first caldera. After that you can decide if you follow the trail either left or right. We decided to hike counter clockwise and I do believe this is by far the best decision. While the elevation gain is the hardest this way you will also hike facing the best views once you’ve made it to the top.

The trail zigzags to the top with a couple of switchbacks but nothing too bad. After about halfway through the ascent you’ll be granted a first glimpse at the crater which is absolutely massive! The trail then follows the caldera upwards to its highest point which is an ideal location for a snack and to admire the 360° views.

From there you’ll gradually hike down and make your way back down to the parking lot.

3. Caldera de los Cuervos

Hiking Distance – 4.3km

Elevation – 87m

Route Type – Lollipop Circuit

Duration – 1 hour

Level – Easy

Parking Lot – Parking Caldera de Los Cuervos

Best time to visit – Try to visit as early as possible in the day. This is one of the most popular hikes in Lanzarote and the parking lot can fill up quickly.

The Caldera de los Cuervos is one of the most popular hiking trails in Lanzarote and the only reason that it isn’t higher on this list is because of the big crowd groups that we had to deal with during our time here. Let’s say we arrived at the same time as 3 big tour busses. A lot of patience was involved to snap these photographs!

From the parking lot you simply follow the trail across the volcanic ashes that leads you street to the Caldera de los Cuervos. An impressive volcano where you can also visit the inside of the crater! Just make sure to stay on the trail. I saw soooo many people wandering off and there’s really no need to. Please always be respectful of the nature!

After visiting the crater you’ll circle around the volcano and end up back at the trail that will lead you straight to the parking lot.

4. Montana Negra

Hiking Distance – 4km

Elevation – 250m

Route Type – Out & Back

Duration – 1.5h

Level – Moderate due to the steep inclination and the slippery volcanic ashes

Parking Lot – Parking Caldera de Los Cuervos. You’ll find the start of the trail on the other side of the road.

Best time to visit – This is by far one of the best locations to watch the sunset in Lanzarote!

The hike up to Montana Negra is not that fun, let me be very honest about that! The volcanic ash is slippery and very thick in some steep parts so you feel yourself sliding back down while hiking up. But the view that you get once you reach the top makes it all worth it!

When facing Montana Negra you’ll see several trails leading up. My advice is to take the left one up the mountain. The first part is pretty steep but after a while it turns into switchbacks that make it less heavy on the legs and knees.

We made it up about 30 minutes before sunset which was ideal to take some beautiful family photos. Once it had set we made our way back to the car and were back at the parking lot before dark.

5. Montana Colorada Volcano

Hiking Distance – 3.1km

Elevation – 53m

Route Type – Loop

Duration – 45 minutes

Level – Easy

Parking Lot – Parking Montaña Colorada

Best time to visit – Lanzarote is a year round hiking destination

The Montana Colorada is another popular hiking trail in Lanzarote. But if you don’t have time to complete all of these trails I suggest you skip this one. The trail leads you around a partially red mountain but to be honest you’ll see better views of it when you’re standing on top of Montana Negra which is located right next to is.

Alongside the trail is a large volcanic bomba, which is also shown on all of the photographs about this hike. However it’s located in the middle of the lava field and off the trail. We decided not to venture off since there were also multiple signs asking to stick on the trails. However, just like with other hikes in Lanzarote, we saw a lot of people ignoring these signs unfortunately.

The best time to go hiking on Lanzarote

The best time to go hiking in Lanzarote is during the cooler and more temperate months, from October to April. During this period, the weather is milder, making it ideal for hiking as you avoid the intense heat and strong sun of the summer months. The temperatures during these months typically range from about 17°C to 24°C (63°F to 75°F), providing comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.

Essential Tips for hiking in Lanzarote

Here are some essential tips to help you make the most of your hiking adventures on the island:

Stay Hydrated – The arid climate means you can dehydrate quickly. Carry plenty of water—more than you think you’ll need!

Sun Protection – With the island’s high UV levels, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses are crucial.

Wear Appropriate Footwear – Durable hiking boots or shoes with good grip are necessary, as the terrain can include loose volcanic rock and rugged paths.

Check the Weather – While generally mild, the weather can change, especially in higher areas like the peaks. Always check the forecast before heading out. During the colder months you sometimes might get surprised by some rainfall.

Respect the Natural Environment – Stick to marked trails to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem. Lanzarote’s unique landscapes are protected, and it’s important to keep them pristine.

Early Start – Begin your hikes early in the morning to avoid the midday sun and to maximize cooler morning temperatures.

Bring Snacks – Energy-rich foods like nuts, fruits, or granola bars can be a good boost, especially on longer trails.

Where to stay on Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a rather smaller island compared to Tenerife or Gran Canaria, so on average the driving distances will be a lot shorter. We decided to base ourselves in the centre of the island so most of the time we never had to drive more than 30 minutes.

Ever since César sleeps in his own room we prefer to stay at an appartement so we also have some time to ourselves in the evening.

I bumped into the gorgeous Alava Suites, which have the feeling of a small boutique hotel. I opted for their deluxe appartement which also came with a private terrace. Breakfast is included and was different and delicious every single morning. For our dinner we had our own kitchen to cook something simple.

The property also comes with a fitness and a shared swimming pool.

If you have any questions about how to visit Lanzarote, let me know in the comment section below!

More information on Lanzarote

Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
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The 5 Very Best Hikes in Lanzarote