Hiking tours for groups

The flagship tour of La Palma. On this overwhelming adventure hike in one of the most active volcanic zones on earth, you will gain deep insights into the island’s volcanic past.

Coming from El Paso, we drive up the narrow country road and pass the Tacande volcano. At the time of the conquest by the Spaniards in 1492, the volcano, which erupted around 1470, was still smoking and so it was given the name Montaña Quemada, which means “burnt mountain”. We then drive through the Llano de Jable, a huge lava ash field, and shortly afterwards reach our starting point of the hike. Here, at the Refugio El Pilar, a barbecue and recreation area at an altitude of 1450m, we hike on one of the most beautiful routes in La Palma, over the Cumbre Vieja volcanic chain.

Over 120 volcanoes line up in the youngest part of the island, like pearls on a string. Our path climbs steadily through the pine forest, leading us, with beautiful views of the Aridane Valley and the Cumbre Nueva, past the foot of the Birigoyo, which sent a huge lava and ash flow towards the sea more than 6000 years ago and has hardly any vegetation. Continuing uphill, we leave the pine forest and reach a beautiful viewpoint from which we can see the two large cities, Santa Cruz and Los Llanos. Now we climb slightly down to the Hoyo Negro, the 140m deep “black hole”. In 1949 it again spewed ash and lava. (For hikers who find the 17km too long, there is the alternative option of hiking leisurely back to the Refugio El Pilar from here.)

To our left we see the impressive Pico Nambroque and in front of us on the path the Duraznero volcano. This also erupted in 1949 and formed a lava lake from which a narrow stream flowed towards Mazo and to the sea. Along the ridge we come to the highest point of our hike to the Deseada volcano at 1945m. Here we enjoy the beautiful views over La Palma and, if the weather is good, the neighboring islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and Tenerife.

On the way down over the witches’ plain we see the almost vegetation-free, reddish shimmering Martin volcano, cross the 11,000-year-old lava fields and then hike again into the pine forest. Forest tracks and narrow paths lead us past the Fuente de los Roques, a refuge. Half an hour later we reach Fuencaliente, where we stop at the traditional Bar Parada and sweeten the time until the return journey with Palmerian coffee and delicious almond biscuits.

Distance 17km/ 6-7 hours/ +500, -1250m/ Price 79€ including transfer back to El Pilar, minimum 5 pers.

Start 9:00 Refugio El Pilar

An adventurous 50-minute jeep ride through the unique laurel forest of Los Tilos. The hiking trail first takes us along a water canal with breathtaking views. Equipped with helmets and headlamps, we traverse 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.

Hiking time: 6 h | +150 m / ‑950m | ca. 15km / difficult

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WITH CLAUSTROPHOBIA OR FEAR OF HEIGHTS

The nice trail starts at the Cumbrecita (small roof) in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. On the partly steep ascent through the fragrant pine forest, we are accompanied by magnificent views of the deep gorges of the caldera. Once arrived at the summit at 1854m we enjoy the view far over the island and up to the Teide on Tenerife. A cozy picnic strengthens us for the way back.

Distance 13km, 6 hours, +550/-1000m

Start of the hike is the Cumbrecita (small roof) at 1350m altitude. From here you have great views of the highest mountains of La Palma and insights into the Caldera de Taburiente. You will be explained the formation and peculiarities of the caldera before heading south through the Riachuelo Valley in the shadow of the Cumbre Nueva. The path is well developed and again and again we have wonderful views of the Aridane valley and the Cumbre Vieja.

Most days of the year we can see the cloud waterfall cascading over the ridge. The path leads us through pine forest, which is naturally adorned with cistus and many other Canarian plants. Our hiking trail is also called the Gallery Trail because it leads past water tunnels. It now goes up and down through several gorges and along impressive rock walls. In the last quarter of the hike there are many almond trees that bloom magnificently from January to March.

At our destination, the oldest pine tree in the Canary Islands stands in front of a small church at an altitude of 850m. Here is the Virgen del Pino (Virgin of the Pines). Our hiking guide tells the legend about the appearance of the Virgin. Then it’s off to a well-deserved coffee.

Hiking time: 3 h| 7 km| +100 m/ ‑500m

On the western “camino real” we hike through a varied cultural landscape and cross the “Rhino Mountain” near Tijarafe. Spectacular views over the Atlantic coast are our constant companions. Our destination is the island brewery “Isla Verde”, where we end the tour comfortably over a beer.

Distance 8km, 3 hours, +100/-400m

We start our hike in the laurel forest of the Los Tilos Biosphere Reserve. Where we get an overview of the natural area in the visitor center. Right at the beginning we duck through old water tunnels into a deep gorge where a wonderful waterfall awaits us. From here we begin our 30-minute climb to the Mirador de las Barandas. We enjoy the view over the laurel forest to the coast. The hike continues mainly in the shady laurel forest and past extremely rare giant viper’s bugloss, whose purple inflorescences reach up to five meters in May and June.

We cross a very important water tunnel and finally come to an agricultural area that leads us to the largest reservoir on the island (located in an old crater).

Hiking time: 3,5 h | +400 m / ‑500m | ca. 9km

We start the tour in La Zarza (the blackberry). There is a visitor center in the middle of the laurel forest with a lot of information about the indigenous people and the laurel forest of La Palma. In addition to the information center, there is also a very beautiful archaeological park, which, among other things, uses Stone Age graffiti to show how the indigenous people used to live on the island.

We follow the paths of the indigenous people and first hike through the enchanted forest – a beautiful, mystical forest in which wafts of mist often appear. In the center of this mysterious jungle lies a deep riverbed that was once created by enormous masses of water. Even today it can turn into a river during heavy rain and after the snow melts in spring.

On the mystical path we hear the rushing water everywhere and see strange tree structures that look like demons. The path takes us through three natural cathedrals – the last cathedral appears like a stadium. Fights used to take place here, such as wrestling or stick fighting. We go downhill past many springs and after about two hours the landscape changes: we can now see our destination, El Tablado. We take a break at a beautiful viewpoint, then continue past lonely farms. We are mostly greeted by older Palmeros who live there like they did 100 years ago.

We pass large adderheads into the coastal zone and have a clear view of the north coast, which is wild and rugged. It goes downhill through the Barranco Fagundo, almost to sea level. Then follows the climb to El Tablado, one of the most beautiful villages in La Palma. There we are greeted by Clair with a chilled drink – the Dutch woman has reopened the only bar there.

Option B: We hike the same route to the viewpoint of the big break. Then we go back on a hiking trail that shows us the beauty of the laurel forest again. Finally, we go to the visitor center of La Zarza and visit the exciting archaeological park.

Option A: hiking time: 5 h | +350 m / ‑900m | ca. 14km
Option B: hiking time: 3,5 h | +300 m / ‑300m | ca. 8km

One of the most beautiful sections of the island circuit, past dragon tree groves, through wild and remote gorges. On some days goats cross our path. With constant beautiful views over the untouched nature of the north coast, this is a wonderful tour. In the small village of Gallegos, which got its name from immigrants from Galicia and Portugal in the 15th century, we stop at a quaint little pub.

Wanderzeit: ca. 5 h | +600 m / ‑700m | ca. 12km

We begin our small volcanic route in the village of “Los Canarios” in the southernmost municipality of La Palma and hike down past the 3200-year-old volcanic cone of San Antonio. The path leads us through bizarre lava landscapes that stand in fantastic contrast to the light green glowing vineyards. Roque Teneguia, a prominent phonolite rock dotted with aboriginal carvings, is a silent witness to the site’s importance since pre-Hispanic times. A little further south is the second youngest volcano on La Palma, the Teneguia volcano. Through lava fields and the gardens of the often award-winning wine we descend to the sea. Our goal is the salt pans of Fuencaliente, one of the last of its kind in which sea salt is still laboriously extracted by hand. Migratory birds of all kinds love the salt pans, even flamingos can sometimes be seen here to feast on the special microorganisms and salt crabs. We too can have a little refreshment in the theme restaurant “Jardin de la Sal” and enjoy the wide view over salt, lava and sea. If you want, you can refresh yourself in the waves on the small natural beach.

altitude gain: +50 /-700m / distance: 7km / hiking time: 2,5h