canary islands

What comes to mind when you think of the Canary Islands? I’m guessing laying out on the beach and staying in a nice resort.

It’s true that hiking may not be the first thing that comes up when you think of the Canary Islands, but I’m here to tell you that Lanzarote will change your mind! 

This charming Canary Island, famous for its striking volcanic landscapes, offers many opportunities for hitting the trails and enjoying unspoiled nature and breathtaking views.

I spent over two incredible weeks in Lanzarote on one of my trips around the Canary Islands, and hiking through the arid and almost surreal volcanic landscapes was a truly unforgettable experience. 

While Lanzarote has many other attractions, there’s no better way to explore it than by walking through beautiful trails around ancient calderas and lava fields — some of which house Lanzarote’s lovely vineyards.

For the most part, you can hike around Lanzarote by yourself pretty easily. Most trails are well-marked and open year-round. 

However, there are still a few areas on the island that aren’t as straightforward to hike through and require a bit of advance planning.

In this guide, I’ll share some of my favorite hiking trails that you can complete in just a few hours, along with some guided hikes for those areas that are a bit harder to reach by yourself. 

So, without any further ado, pack your hiking boots, and let’s discover Lanzarote’s best hiking trails!

Should I Do a Guided or Independent Hike in Lanzarote?

If you’re wondering whether you should do a guided or independent hike in Lanzarote, the short answer is that it depends. 

Helpful, right? Let me get a little more specific.

When making your choice, consider whether or not you have a car, which area you want to hike in, and if you prefer to be alone or meet other people.

Lanzarote has many hiking trails, but the problem is that unlike hiking in Tenerife, not all are easy to reach with public transportation.

Although the island has many bus connections, a few remote areas have close to none, so you’ll end up walking several kilometers just to reach the trailhead.

The good news is if you plan on renting a car in Lanzarote, you can easily reach nearly any trail with just a short drive.

It only takes just over an hour to drive from one end of Lanzarote to the other (Playa Blanca to Órzola). 

If you base yourself in Arrecife, which I recommend in my Lanzarote itinerary, you can drive nearly anywhere in half an hour or less!

Another factor to consider is whether independent hiking is allowed. For most trails, the answer is yes! 

If you want to hike inside Timanfaya National Park, however, you can only do so with a guide, except for one trail that you’ll find among the independent options below.

Lastly, do you want to socialize and connect with other travelers? If you do, guided tours are your best option. 

While there are a few popular hiking trails in Lanzarote, most of the time you won’t meet many people when hiking… especially outside peak summer months.

So that means if you’re looking for some time alone in nature, you can easily find it!

Best Guided Hikes in Lanzarote

Timanfaya National Park – Book Here

I’ll be honest, hiking in Timanfaya National Park isn’t exactly straightforward (which is part of why it’s on the list of guided Lanzarote hikes), but it’s certainly worth the effort. 

The park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, only accessible under specific conditions, so you can’t just drive there and hit the trails. This is why joining a guided tour is your best option.

This Timanfaya trekking tour lasts roughly three hours and allows you to admire the impressive volcanic landscape in a straightforward fashion.

An expert guide will share cool facts about the region and the history of Lanzarote as you walk up to some of the craters.

The hike is moderately difficult, and only around 7 kilometers long, but you should bring proper shoes for the uneven terrain. 

The Timanfaya hiking tour includes the guide and transportation from the meeting point outside Mancha Blanca, but you can also request hotel pick-up and drop-off.

If you choose to skip the hotel pick-up, you can also reach the meeting point by car or take bus 16 from Arrecife to Mancha Blanca.

The meeting point is roughly a 15-minute walk from there. 

Note that this activity is popular year-round, since it’s the only way to properly visit Timanfaya volcano, so book in advance no matter when you go!

La Geria Vineyard Hike – Book Here

Unless you rent a car, hiking the unique landscapes of La Geria can be a bit complicated. 

The good news, though, is this La Geria hiking and vineyard tour is a perfect choice if you don’t have a car.

Plus, this activity wouldn’t be complete without the wine tasting, and driving there would complicate things.

La Geria is a unique wine district just outside Los Volcanes Natural Park with distinctive vineyards growing right in the volcanic soil.

The vine is planted inside a conical hollow (called a geria, hence the name of the region) excavated in volcanic gravel and protected from the wind by a small wall made of rocks.

The 4-hour wine and hiking tour includes a 9-kilometer walk through the spectacular landscape to learn how locals have overcome agricultural challenges through inventiveness.

Needless to say, the wine produced in the area is delicious, and you’ll get to sample the incredible local Malvasia white wine.

The activity includes hotel pick-up and drop-off from many places in Lanzarote, as well as a licensed tour guide, wine tasting, and snacks.

Tip: Note that pick-up from Playa Blanca is not available.

Northern Lanzarote Hiking Tour – Book Here

This three-hour hike in the north of Lanzarote features both a spectacular volcanic landscape and sweeping coastal views. 

This Northern Lanzarote hiking tour is a great experience if you’re looking to hike in a more remote area of Lanzarote that is harder to reach with public transportation.

The activity includes a hike up La Corona Volcano to see the impressive volcanic crater and another to the cliffs of Famara, where you can admire sweeping views of the northern coast of Lanzarote and La Graciosa Island.

Despite the short distance between these two spots, it’s hard to fit both of these hikes into one day if you don’t have a car.

That means that a guided hike is the ideal way to experience these two incredible landscapes in just a few hours.

This Lanzarote hiking tour includes a guide and transportation between the two spots, with the option to request hotel pick-up from certain locations throughout Lanzarote.

The hikes are of moderate difficulty, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

Best Independent Day Hikes in Lanzarote

Now that we’ve talked about some of the guided tours, it’s time to look at independent hikes for you adventurous types!

Below are my favorite hikes in Lanzarote. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the landscape is pretty consistent throughout the island, except for a few areas.

While each trail has something unique, you’ll experience similar volcanic landscapes on many of these hikes. 

For some people, walking through lava fields for hours gets boring quickly.

If you want a little more variety, I recommend choosing shorter trails in different locations on the island. 

You’ll find the highlights for each hike in the descriptions below! 

Mancha Blanca – Caldera Blanca

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
• Time to Complete: 3-4 hours
• Type: Loop

This is among the most popular hiking trails in Lanzarote, rewarding visitors with spectacular views of the massive Caldera Blanca.

The trail starts just outside the small village of Mancha Blanca, which is connected by bus 16 to Arrecife.

The trail has some complex parts with uneven and slippery terrain, but the biggest challenge is the lack of shade — especially in hot weather!

Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring sufficient water for this unshaded hike.

Ideally, you’ll want to do this hike in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day, but remember it can take up to four hours.

The recommended loop is counterclockwise around the caldera.

You should also note that it can get very windy at the top, so pack a windbreaker jacket (yes, even despite the heat and lack of shade!).

Pico Redondo – Monumento Natural de los Ajaches

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 13.7 km (8.5 miles)
• Time to Complete: 4-5 hours
• Type: Loop

Los Ajaches Natural Monument is a volcanic area covering a large part of south Lanzarote.

This loop trail is one of the best ways to experience the incredible volcanic landscape of the island.

The hike starts in Femés, a small village close to Yaiza. If you don’t have a car, you can reach Femés by bus line 5 from Arrecife. 

The trail starts just outside the village, and the hike isn’t too challenging, except for the part along the coast.

The trail even passes by a couple of beaches, so you can bring your swimsuit!

Along the way, you’ll see Playa La Casa, best known for its little Secret Garden with all kinds of plants and objects.

Playa Blanca – Punta de Papagayo 

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 16.4 km (10.2 miles)
• Time to Complete: 4-5 hours
• Type: Loop

While this hike is (in my opinion) pretty easy, and it may not be the most spectacular, the endpoint is my favorite place on the island. 

Punta de Papagayo is a promontory in south Lanzarote and the perfect spot to see the sunset.

If you have the chance, I recommend doing this hike in the late afternoon to get there in time for sunset.

The first part is more of a leisurely walk than a hike since it’s in the town of Playa Blanca.

Once you’ve passed the tourist area, the seaside promenade is actually quite pleasant! 

You’ll be passing by a few lovely beaches, like Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, and Playa Papagayo, so pack a swimsuit and take a break to enjoy the sun or cool off with a swim.

Although this is marked as a loop trail, the loop only takes you around the sea cliff.

If the entire hike seems too long, you can always catch bus line 30, which stops at Las Coloradas, at the eastern end of Playa Blanca, to shorten it.

Las Rositas – Playa del Risco

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
• Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
• Type: Out & back

Playa del Risco is among the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote, but the only way to reach it is by hiking down a pretty demanding trail. 

The hike starts in Las Rositas, just outside the village of Yé. After a steep descent, which is the most challenging part, the trail gets easier.  

Your efforts will be well rewarded once you reach the vast, sandy beach bathed by turquoise waters and look out over the island of La Graciosa.

Here, you can rest or swim before tackling the hike back up.

The entire trail is exposed, so wear sunscreen and bring enough water and food, especially if you plan on spending some time at the beach.

Given the rough terrain, hiking boots are highly recommended — this is not a flip flop hike, despite its end point being a beach!

If you have a car and don’t plan on spending the whole day at the beach, you can pair this hike with a visit to Mirador del Rio.

You have a choice between driving to the parking lot to enjoy the view, or taking this short hike of less than 5 kilometers out and back for even more spectacular views.

Ruta del Mar de Lava 

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
• Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
• Type: Loop

Ruta del Mar de Lava translates to Trail of the Sea of Lava, so you won’t be surprised to hear that you’ll see more incredible volcanic landscapes and calderas.

The trail is located within Los Volcanes Natural Park, starting south of Mancha Blanca.

The biggest challenge of this trail is the lack of shade. You’ll be walking through endless fields of lava, with some ups and downs but little elevation gain overall. 

You’ll hike around Montaña Colorada, check out a massive volcanic bomb (a huge stone resulting from an eruption), and admire the imposing Santa Catalina Volcano.

The downside of this trail is that it’s not very well connected to public transportation.

The closest bus stop is in Mancha Blanca, roughly 20 minutes from the trailhead, and it’s served by bus 16 from Arrecife.

El Golfo – Playa del Paso – Montaña Quemada

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 miles)
• Time to Complete: 2-2.5 hours
• Type: Loop

This short trail is the only one within the Timanfaya National Park that you can do without a guided tour.

The hike starts in El Golfo and proceeds along the coast before turning inland toward Caldera de Montaña Quemada.

The trail is only partly within the Timanfaya National Park, which starts just south of Playa del Paso, a lovely volcanic sand beach where you can stop for a break or enjoy a swim. 

As is the case for most of the island, this trail has no shade, so wear sunscreen and bring water.

Like other hiking areas in Lanzarote, this one is also not connected to public transportation, so you can only get there by car unless you’re up for walking roughly two hours to La Hoya or Yaiza. 

If you can’t rent a car, your best option to see Timanfaya National Park is the guided tour I mentioned above.

Haría – Mirador Montaña Ganada

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
• Time to Complete: 2-2.5 hours
• Type: Loop

If you’re looking for more than just volcanic fields and calderas, this hike is the one for you.

From the small town of Haría, you can hike on Montaña Aganada and enjoy spectacular coastal views from Mirador Rincón de Haría.

The hike is not too challenging, with some elevation gain and loss, but overall should be fairly accessible to most people. As usual, bring sunscreen, hiking boots, and water. 

Since you can start the trail in Haría, this hike is perfect even if you don’t have a car. You can reach Haría by bus 7 or 26 from Arrecife.

The whole town of Haría is delightful, too, so you may want to spend some time there before or after the hike.

You can also make it a full-day trip and visit Casa Museo de César Manrique while you’re there.

Bonus: Isla La Graciosa Hike

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Distance: 28.2 km (17.5 miles)
• Time to Complete: 6-8 hours
• Type: Loop

While this guide was originally just going to include hiking trails in Lanzarote, I would be truly remiss if I didn’t at least mention La Graciosa. 

This small island just off the northern tip of Lanzarote is absolutely worth visiting. The island is a hiking paradise with lots of trails and stunning landscapes.

This loop trail is the most extensive, allowing you to explore the entire island, but you can always shorten it.

If you can choose just one part of the island, I recommend heading north to see the delightful Casas de Pedro Barba.

If you’re up for the challenge, the entire hike takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on your pace and how many times you stop.

Catch the ferry early in the morning to have enough time to hike the whole trail. 

If you want to sleep on the island, you can find accommodation in Caleta del Sebo.

Roxana Fanaru

Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.

A scorching hot, volcanic landscape in the middle of the ocean doesn’t seem like the most hospital landscape for winemaking — and it’s not — yet somehow, Lanzarote winemaking perseveres and endures.

The fury of past volcanic eruptions have cooled, creating a unique mineral-rich volcanic landscape that gives all its wines a unique terroir, distinct and complex.

It’s true that the island’s volcanic soil and ash have imparted something ethereal to the wines, shaping their character and flavor in a unique way that combines the fruity and floral of the grapes with the sharp minerality of the soil.

It’s one thing to try to explain it, but it’s another to taste it.

Taking a Lanzarote wine tour will not only explain it but have you experience it, where you can see just how unique this island’s wines are.

The tradition of winemaking on Lanzarote is centuries-old, and it stands as a testament to the skill and creativity of the winemakers.

These creative farmers have turned the island’s geological adversities (volcanic soil, strong winds, high heat) into an advantage with some unique methods.

But what exactly are those? Let’s get into it below!

Why Is Lanzarote Wine So Special?

Wine geeks will have a blast exploring the volcanic history of Lanzarote’s wine region and how that’s impacted its winemaking traditions.

Due to the harsh conditions on the island, Lanzarote’s winemaking stands out as one of the most unique vinicultural practices in the world.

Nestled in the Canary Islands (known for its harsh trade winds), this volcanic terrain is the birthplace of a viticulture that showcases human ingenuity in making the most of the island’s remarkable but challenging geological characteristics.

Of course, Lanzarote wines are special for its volcanic soil, which is mostly a mixture of ash, lava, and pulverized rock that resulted after some devastating eruptions in the 18th century drastically changed the island’s landscape.

Yet that was also for the better in the long term, as the resulting volcanic soil proved surprisingly rather fertile for grape growing, with its minerals enriching the soil and imparting distinctive flavors to the grapes.

However, Lanzarote is hardly the only volcanic wine region — think of Mt. Etna and Santorini, for example, who other excellent winemaking regions that also have volcanic origins.

Where Lanzarote is unique is in its specific agricultural techniques that were developed in response to the harsh conditions, namely strong Atlantic winds and scarce rainfall.

Farmers, as always, were ingenius here: planting vines in funnel-shaped holes called gerias, with small semi-circular walls built around them to help collect the limited dew and moisture in the air and let it go to the vine’s roots.

The shape also protects the vines from the wind, and in general, while the practices developed independently of one another, the principle is similar to the Santorini style of grape-growing, the kouloura.

Another unique aspect of Lanzarote winemaking is that the wine producers use a form of dry farming called “enarenado”, since there’s not really any natural access to water.

But volcanic ash is very porous, retaining moisture and gradually releasing it, so somehow, despite the limited water conditions, winemaking in Lanzarote was able to drive.

Lanzarote has a handful of indigenous varietals that have adapted to the island’s harsh climate, including malvasia volcanica, a subtype of the popular malvasia grape.

From this, Lanzarote can produce all types of wine, from dry white wine to rich red wines to lusciously-sweet dessert wines.

The 5 Best Lanzarote Wine Tours and Wine Tastings

La Geria Vineyards Hiking Tour

• 5 out of 5 stars, 70+ reviews

With a perfect rating from all who have taken the tour, it’s hard to think of a better way to try wine tasting in Lanzarote than to combine it with some light hiking around the area.

This 4-hour Lanzarote wine and hiking tour combines epic views, history, and delicious wines all in one go, bringing you to the heart of Lanzarote’s celebrated La Geria wine region.

This unique small group Lanzarote wine tour combines a guided hike through the island’s stunning volcanic scenery with a delicious exploration of flavors.

Plus, it’s tailored to be an intimate experience for a small group of just 8 participants maximum — which is great, as the hiking portion of the tour can be well-paced to suit the group’s speed.

Your journey begins with the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off, which is great as you don’t have to consider having a designated driver — it’s all sorted for you (great if you’ve rented a car in Lanzarote).

As you hike, you’ll learn about La Geria’s vineyards, where the so-called “miracle of Lanzarote” is unveiled to you: a unique agricultural technique, born from the ashes of 18th-century eruptions that ravaged the island. 

Local farmers developed a method to cultivate vines in the volcanic soil, overcoming the challenges of scarce water resources.

The 9-kilometer guided hike through the area is nothing short of spectacular!

Walking through the unusual vineyards, you’ll see the unique crescent-shaped stone walls that harbor the precious vines from both sun and wind.

Seeing this, you’ll begin to understand how challenging winemaking in Lanzarote is — and how spectacular it is that it exists at all. 

Climbing to the 3rd-highest peak of Lanzarote, your efforts are rewarded with panoramic views that stretch across the region.

Better yet, you can tuck into a little snack of fresh fruit and cookies, to help you re-energize for the hike back down.

But the tour’s real peak (heh!) arrives when you descend from the heights and the wine tasting begins. 

The dry Malvasia, a floral varietal that plays nicely with the harshness of this volcanic terrain, is the perfect way to reward yourself for a hike well down, the effort only making the wine’s crisp notes even more delightful. 

Paired with local cheese, you’ll be able to distinguish the unique tasting notes of the wines as your guide tells you more about the distinct characteristics you’ll find in a Lanzarote wine tasting.

And luckily, you can snooze off a bit on your drive back to your hotel, since the wheel is out of your hands!

2-Hour Sommelier-Led Wine Tour and Museum Visit

• 4.8 out of 5 stars, 15+ reviews

For a unique wine tasting in Lanzarote experience, indulge in a guided tour of the El Grifo Bodega led by their head sommelier!

Located close to Arrecife and the airport, this historic winery in San Bartolomé is a wonderful place to tour because it’s not only a winery but also a museum.

History is important here, after all, as it’s the oldest winery in the Canary Islands (and the fifth-oldest in all of Spain!)

This 2-hour tour is the perfect way to experience the best of Lanzarote’s wines, led by someone who lives and breathes wine — and of course, knows the local wine better than anyone else.

With nearly 250 years of winemaking history under their belts, El Grifo is one of the longest continuously-running wineries in all of Spain, with no interruptions in that entire time period.

While now a much larger operation, you can see the old winery that dates back to 1775 at the Wine Museum, giving you a true sense of how much winemaking in Lanzarote has evolved over the years. 

You’ll learn about the origins of this bodega, back when camels were the main method of transporting and harvesting grapes — nature’s tractor, I suppose!

Winemaking traditions changed drastically in the 1990s as technology became more advanced.

You’ll learn about how the winery stepped forward in some ways, while keeping its foot in past tradition for the methods that have always worked, such as its unique grape-growing techniques.

This blend of historic and modern brought Lanzarote’s wines to a new level (and made them far more accessible to the rest of the world).

After learning about the history of the winery, you’ll be led through five of the most prized wines in El Grifo’s wine catalogue, including volcanic malvasia and the unique listán negro, a Syrah grown in volcanic soil. 

Of course, what’s wine without some cheese pairing — local, from other island producers, of course!

And if you want to bring anything back with you, a discount is provided for those who take the tour (or a similar tour listed below) — and shipping is available.

1-Hour Wine Tasting and Museum Experience

• 4.6 out of 5 stars, 30+ reviews

For a budget-friendly Lanzarote wine experience, skip the full-on guided tour detailed above and take this 1-hour tour and tasting that is also hosted at Bodegas El Grifo.

You’ll learn about how winemaking has changed on Lanzarote through a tour here, and learn how traditions that were carefully nurtured over centuries saw a remarkable transformation in the 1990s. 

A visit to the El Grifo Wine Museum is a highlight of this tour. Exhibits and artifacts tell the story of how the island’s unique volcanic landscape shaped a unique winemaking landscape, growing grapes that are unlike others. 

But of course, what’s talk without something to back it up? The proof is in the tasting!

You’ll see just how the impact of volcanic soil and ash have impacted the grapes here as you you savor three of Lanzarote’s finest wines (whereas the premium tour above lets you taste five). 

This winery is known for its malvasia and muscatel varieties, two delicate and floral varietals that flourish in the island’s volcanic soil, balance beautiful flowery aromas against a metallic minerality.

You can also try the sparkling wine unique to Lanzarote, prized for its effervescence and complexity.

And since you’ll likely want to bring some bottles home with you, luckily for you, taking this tour gives you a unique discount (and shipping is also available!) 

1.5 Hour Lanzarote Wine Tasting with Chocolate Pairing

• 4.8 out of 5 stars, 25+ reviews

What’s better than wine? Well, wine and chocolate, of course!

This Lanzarote wine tour brings you to the vineyards of one of Lanzarote’s best wine producers, Bodegas Vega de Yuco.

You’ll take a tour of the grounds of Finca Testeina (the farm that produces the grapes), which sits right at the foot of the Testeina Volcano.

On this 1.5-hour tour, you’ll learn all about the history of Lanzarote winemaking, including the how the eruptions of Timanfaya impacted winemaking by comparing the methods before and after the eruptions.

You’ll get to stroll through the vineyards to see the peculiar but effective techniques that go into making wine in Lanzarote — the method behind the madness!

And of course, a Lanzarote wine tour wouldn’t be complete without a tasting, and you’ll get to try two  unique wines that are produced here, like malvasía volcánica and listán negro. 

(Note that this is less than some other tours, which include up to 5 tastings, so if variety is important to you, this may not be the best Lanzarote wine tour!)

However, on the plus side, these wines are being paired with delicious artisanal chocolates, and all the wines you’ll taste are organic!

You’ll also learn the history of the manor house on the site, which dates back to the 16th century and is an important part of Lanzarote history.

All this with epic volcano views — it’s hard to beat!

Note that this tour does not include transportation, so you’ll have to have a designated driver or limit your drinking. However, with only two tastings, it’s easy to hold back and not overindulge.

Timanfaya National Park & La Geria Tour

• 4.2 stars out of 5, 70+ reviews

This 5.5-hour tour is a great way to combine the chance of seeing all the sceneries of Timanfaya National Park with some wine tasting in Lanzarote, all on one tour!

You’ll learn about the geothermal activity that still defines this park while your guide shows you Hilario’s Plateau. 

Then, you’ll take a bus tour, the famous “Volcanoes Route”, accompanied by a guide who can tell you all about how the different volcanic eruptions of Timanfaya and other of Lanzarote’s volcanoes have impacted the geology and agriculture of the island. 

You’ll visit several gorgeous parts of the park, so this is a great tour for those who want to take landscape photos as well as have a wine tasting experience.

After exploring the park, you’ll visit the wine region of Lanzarote, La Geria, where you can visit a winery typical of the region to taste its delicious wines, and learn the unique agricultural history of the region as you taste.

Note that the tour includes all transportation (great as there’s no need to worry about having a designated driver!).

However, it does not include lunch, so plan to bring something along or have money set aside to grab lunch along the way. 

Allison Green

Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

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