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)
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 (middle hard)
Wonderful views of the Caldera and to the neighboring islands accompany us from the highest point of the island, the Roque de los Muchachos to the Pico de la Nieve. The trail meanders over several ridges past telescopes, aboriginal huts and basalt walls steeped in legend. Ending the day together in a local bar.
Distance 12km, 5,5 hours, +170/-660m (difficult)
Beautiful forest hike beneath imposing rock cliffs and with fantastic views over the Aridane valley and the Cumbre Vieja. Usually also with a view of the cloud waterfall. Depending on the season, almond trees, cistus, tajinastes, broom and trefoil bloom here. Our goal is the oldest pine tree in the Canary Islands, near which we will have a coffee together to round off the tour. A hike for body and soul.
Distance 7km, 3 hours, +250/-500m (middle hard)
After an adventurous 50-minute jeep ride, equipped with helmets and headlamps, we walk through 13 tunnels carved by hand into the rock. At one of them, the water splashes towards us from all sides. A 45° steep ascent leads us to the Cordero spring, from where the demanding descent leads over 1000 meters through the “water gorge” back to Los Tilos.
Distance 15km, approx. 6 hours, +150/-950m (very strenuous) a head for heights required
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.
The parade tour of la Palma over the Cumbre Vieja ridge to Fuencaliente. On this overwhelming adventure hike on one of the most active volcanic zones on earth, you will get deep insights into the volcanic past of the island. After a strenuous descent, we return exhausted but happy to the traditional Bar Parada with its delicious almond biscuits.
Distance 17km, 6 hours, +550/-1300m (difficult)
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)
We hike in one of the most beautiful areas of La Palma and enjoy the spectacular view over breathtaking landscapes and coasts. An easy tour that is also attractive for inexperienced hikers and extremely interesting due to its varied landscape.
Distance 8km, aprox. 3 hours, +100/-400m (easy to medium)
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)
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)
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.
Due to their rich historical heritage, La Palma’s cities have a very special flair and hide much more than meets the eye. At the same time they are close to nature. The different offers currently are:
More information on request
With the fresh lava in the background, we first take a look at the 1949 lava flow of the San Juan volcano. Armed with helmets and headlamps, we soon venture inside together and marvel. In a huge cave, chocolate seems to be growing in our mouths. Are those stalactites and cave paintings that we see there? Why were rituals held here to deal with birth trauma and what glitters everywhere like stars from the ceilings? We will reveal these and other mysteries for you on this exciting cave adventure.
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. Since the volcanic eruption the team has grown my my husband Peter from Peru and our loyal guide Romen from Fuencaliente (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.
Contact: Lotte@graja-tours.com, 0034-681 637 522