Graja Tours – La Palma: Hiking with Friends
several times a week:
Discover the new Volcano
How to visit the Cumbre Vieja Restricted Area? Guided excursions to the new volcano of La Palma: With an experienced local hiking guide of Graja Tours with a special permit, you will drive up to the restricted area Llano de Jable. From here you go on a hilly path marked with stones through layers of ash as comfortably as on black snow through newly sprouting burnt pine forest to just a little above the new volcanic crater on the Cumbre Vieja. From here we get a whole new perspective of the hidden backside of the volcano and the lava flows down to the sea, previously only available to volcanologists. On the way back via the old forest track, we enjoy spectacular views of the green Aridane Valley and the Caldera de Taburiente.
Distance 5km, 2,5 hours, +/-250m (easy to medium)
Volcano tunnel in Las Manchas
With the fresh lava in the background, we first take a look at the lava flow of the San Juan volcano from 1949 from above. Together we then venture inside, armed with helmets and headlamps, and are amazed. Chocolate seems to grow into our mouths in a huge cave. Are those stalactites and cave paintings we see there? Why were rituals to deal with birth trauma held here and what glitters like stars from the ceilings everywhere? We will reveal these and other secrets for you on this exciting cave adventure.
approx. 2 hours, easy (not for claustrophobics)
MONDAYS:
Dragontree Tour
This hike is a real pleasure offering fantastic insights into the botany and history of the island. We hike with you on old village paths through cultural landscapes and ancient, beautiful dragon tree groves to the caves of Buracas, where the natives have left their traces in the form of rock engraving.
Distance 8km, 3 hours, +-350m (medium)
Crater hike over the clouds
Wonderful views of the Caldera and to the neighboring islands accompany us from the Pico de la Cruz to the highest point of the island, the Roque de los Muchachos. The trail meanders over several ridges past worldclass telescopes, aboriginal huts and basalt walls steeped in legend.
Distance 6km, 3 hours, +/- 200m (medium)
TUESDAYS:
Cave adventure, mosaics and wine
Equipped with helmet and headlamp, we first set off on an exciting expedition into the interior of a lava tunnel that was created in 1949. We then walk across lava fields to the famous mosaic park “La Glorieta” in Las Manchas. In the cozy wine museum, we finally learn something about the importance of wine in the lava regions and end the morning with a wine tasting.
Distance 3km, 3 hours (easy)
Culinary Coastal Tour
Culinary Coastal TourA wonderful hike through the most lush cultural landscape of La Palma and with wonderful views over the coast and the ocean. At any time of year we can try herbs or fresh fruit that practically roll into our laps. Two highlights are the picnic with a view and the beautiful natural beach of Playa Nogales.
Distanca 12km, aprox 5 h, +350/-650 (moderately difficult)
WEDNESDAYS:
Surprise Tour
La Palma has endless faces. Let yourself be surprised what awaits you today. The old royal paths of La Palma stretch over the island in a hiking trail network of over 1000km. Every Thursday you can discover ways off the beaten track with us and experience the unknown beauty of the island. At the end of each hike, we stop at a typical Palmerian bar and let the excursion end comfortably with tapas.
Dates of the respective tour on request.
“Waterfall” of Clouds
Magical hike with wonderful views – with a bit of luck also of the legendary cloud waterfall of the Cumbre Vieja. Well-developed paths through pine forests and through mystical laurel forests full of lichens, mosses, mushrooms and archways made of tree heather.
Distance 8km, 3-4 hours, +-400m (medium)
THURDAYS:
Sacred Springs
This tour is a wonderful hike across meadows and pastures with beautiful views of the east side of La Palma. We hike through chestnut and laurel forests through five gorges and past six holy springs that are decorated with crosses and invite you to linger.
Distance 8km, 3 hours, +350/-350m (middle hard)
Spectacular Island Tour
This varied trip gives a panoramic view of the island. We first drive through 5 climate zones to the highest point of the island and enjoy the breathtaking view. Then we head to the mysterious laurel forest in the northwest of the island. The tour ends in the Aridane Valley, which was badly affected by the most recent volcanic eruption (2021), and a close-up view of the Tajogaite volcano.
short walks (easy)
FRIDAYS:
Fairytail Forest
The hike ventures through one of the most impressive jungle gorges in La Palma with giant ferns, thick moss growth and gigantic laurel trees. After a coffee break in the picturesque village of San Andres, we stroll to the natural swimming pools of Charco Azul (swimming possibility) and visit one of the last original rum factories in the Canary Islands.
Distance 6km, 2,5 hours, +/-200m (easy to middle)
Caldera de Taburiente
Together we hike through one of the largest erosion craters in the world. From Los Brecitos at 1030m altitude we hike through fragrant pine forest to the campsite on the Taburiente river. Through the “gorge of death fear” we follow the footsteps of King Tanausú and marvel at the power of nature and the colorful waterfall “Cascada de Colores” (swimming possibility).
Distance 14km, 6 hours, +200/-900m (hard)
ON REQUEST:
Rent a Guide
Personal adventure hikes with Lotte through the most beautiful landscapes of La Palma. I plan individual hiking tours with you and for you – according to your taste, your needs, your individual levels of difficulty and your time leeway.
17km The Volcano Route
The parade tour of La Palma over the mountain ridge of the Cumbre Vieja to Fuencaliente. On this overwhelming adventure hike on one of the most active volcanic zones on earth, you will gain deep insights into the volcanic past of the island. After the strenuous descent, we return, exhausted but happy, to the traditional Bar Parada with its delicious almond biscuits.
Distance 17km, approx. 6,5 Stunden, +550/-1300m (hard)
Graja Tours is a small family business that has been offering personal hikes in small groups of a maximum of 8 people on La Palma for over 16 years. Let legends take you back to the past, listen to insider information that will amaze you and enjoy the unique nature that will take your breath away. I am also happy to put together individual programs for larger groups such as hikes across the entire mountain range of La Palma, multi-day tours in the north of the island as well as sunrise, star and full moon tours. Graja Tours is run by me, Lotte, an German anthropologist and certified hiking guide for the Canary Islands. Also part of the team are: Kirsten for office support and Romen and Thor as free lancer guides (more in the section “about us”). We love La Palma, its nature and the friendliness of its people and we are looking forward to sharing our enthusiasm for the island with you.
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