Spain - Hiking in La Palma - Walking on volcanoes
La Palma is not only famous for its lovely mild climate all year round and the eternal spring. The island is at least as famous for its stunning scenery and largely untouched nature. The other Canary Islands are relatively big tourist magnets, but La Palma has so far avoided mass tourism and preserved its authentic culture to the delight of us wanderers.
Hiking is great on La Palma and you will walk on well-maintained paths through the beautiful scenery and enjoy the stunning panoramic views. On this walking holiday in La Palma, you will walk from hotel to hotel and be on your own, leaving you time to experience everything at your own pace.
About the route
You'll hike along well-maintained trails and although the distances are quite short, there are many daily metres of elevation gain. We recommend that you have a good basic level of fitness, but beyond that most people should be able to enjoy this walk.
Highlights of the La Palma walking holiday
- The beautiful scenery of the northern part of La Palma
- Hiking the 'Ruta de Los Volcanes' in the south of La Palma
- Hiking along volcanic craters on the GR131 route
Great things about this tour
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
Once you arrive at the airport, you'll be met and transferred to your first hotel, located in the island's capital, Santa Cruz. This exciting city is influenced by the Flemish merchants who, throughout history, have built impressive palaces and buildings in the city. You can explore the city's cobbled streets and pedestrian Calle Real, where there are many cafés and restaurants.
You start the day with a short transfer to San Andrés. Today's hike follows the GR130 trail along the coast through dramatic canyons with stunning views. You'll walk through lemon groves, mango and avocado orchards, small vineyards and banana plantations, finally arriving at the village of Puntallana. At the kiosks in the main square of Puntallana, you can refresh yourself with a good beer on arrival before returning to Santa Cruz de La Palma. Transfer 10 minutes by public bus (line 100 - every hour - included in the price)
You start the day with a short transfer to "Los Tilos", a UNESCO Biosphere Heritage since 1983, where you can enjoy the sight of the 40m high waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation.
The visitor centre is worth a visit and provides interesting information about the endemic flora and fauna of the surrounding forest. The trail first climbs to the viewpoint of Las Barandas and continues through the spectacular gorge of 'La Herradura', where you will find countless giant ferns and centuries-old trees. After leaving Laguna de Barlovento behind, the route ends at your hotel in Barlovento.
Today the route starts directly at your hotel. After breakfast, signs on the GR 130 will lead you to La Tosca, a picturesque village with huge centuries-old dragon trees, from where there are spectacular views of the entire north coast. The trail continues its route, crossing areas of orchards before reaching Gallegos, an idyllic village perched on a slope 300 metres above sea level. Here you can enjoy a good lunch in the Marleney bar before continuing to Franceses. Now it's time to cross one of the most spectacular canyons before the day ends with a transfer back to Barlovento.
After a short transfer you wil walk from Franceses, follow the GR130, which descends steeply to the sea and then climbs in a zigzag ascent towards El Tablado. It's a village that has retained a lovely rural charm and there's still a small inn where you can get refreshments before starting the climb to Roque Faro. The GR130 joins the PR LP 9.1 path, which is circular and crosses lush landscapes with unusual plant life. When you get to Roque Faro
you'll find the legendary tasca Casa Reyes, where the exquisite 'goat stew in sauce' gives you the chance to recover after the tough climb (you can, of course, choose other dishes). When you're ready, take the bus back to Barlovento, where you'll stay another night (included in the price).
After breakfast you will be driven for an hour to the start of the route. Today you will hike one of the most exciting sections of the GR131, which goes from the highest point of the island (Roque de los Muchachos) along the volcanic crater (Caldera de Taburiente) to Pico de la Nieve. Along the way you can enjoy phenomenal views of the island and the high mountain passes. You can also glimpse the summit of Mount Teide in Tenerife! After a gentle descent, you'll be driven back to Santa Cruz, where you'll spend the night.
Today you will go on an unforgettable hike along the route "Ruta de los Volcanes". The walk takes you to the south of the island, where you will see a number of volcanoes, some of which erupted just a few years ago. This is the longest stage of the hike and although it involves a fairly long descent, it is a very popular part of the GR131 and well worth the effort.
Today your walking holiday on La Palma is over. You leave your last hotel in the morning and are driven to the airport in time to catch your flight.
Price includes
- 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Santa Cruz (first nights)
- 2 nights in a 4-star hotel in Santa Cruz (last nights)
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Barlovento
- 2 nights in Finca (country house) in Los Franceses
- Breakfast every day
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Luggage transport between hotels
- Transfers described in the programme
- Transport from/to the airport
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to La Palma
- Handling fee (€20)
- Tourist tax (if due)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. If you travel alone a single room is necessary.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from La Palma are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
On this tour you will be accommodated in 3-star and 4-star hotels with breakfast included.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This tour has difficulty grade 2-3. Which means that most days are difficulty 2 and some days are difficulty 3.
Grade 2
Easier walking at reasonable good paths. The walking time will be 4-6 hours usually in hilly terrain. Every one in good health and a normal physical fitness can participate. Luggage is mostly transported and you only go with a lighter backpack. Requires good footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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