Lanzarote and La Graciosa Extreme: fire beneath your feet

Trekking

Highlights

• Strategic logistics: a fixed base in Costa Teguise, no hotel changes and every trailhead less than 45 minutes away by car.
• Extreme variety of terrain: from the sharp lava of the malpaís to slopes of volcanic cinder (picón) and the deep sand of La Graciosa.
• Concentrated, technical climbs: steep ascents such as the direct 500 metres of the Risco de Famara on loose stone and rocky steps.
• Wild landscapes and vertical views: exposed ridges swept by the trade winds, with views straight down to the Atlantic and the Chinijo archipelago.
• Freedom and autonomy: self-guided routes on public trails, outside the restrictions of the central core of Timanfaya.
• A technical challenge: abrasive ground and sharp climbs that will test your walking technique.

Programme

1. Day 1Arrival in Lanzarote and briefing in Costa Teguise
2. Day 2Caldera Blanca and La Caldereta
3. Day 3Risco de Famara and the Gracioseros path
4. Day 4La Graciosa and Montaña Bermeja
5. Day 5Rest and culture or a light walk on Montaña de Tinaguache
6. Day 6Los Ajaches ridges from Femés to Papagayo
7. Day 7Volcán del Cuervo and La Geria
8. Day 8Volcán de la Corona and the Risco cliffs
9. Day 9Departure

Day by day

1. Day 1Arrival on the volcanic island Landing in Arrecife, car pick-up (self-guided version) or transfer, and check-in at your base in Costa Teguise. In the evening a technical briefing: GPS tracks, trade winds and tips for the days ahead, followed by dinner with fresh fish and papas arrugadas.
2. Day 2Caldera Blanca and La Caldereta The first real contact with wild Lanzarote. The path crosses a sea of sharp, solidified lava, the malpaís, then passes La Caldereta and climbs to the rim of Caldera Blanca, one of the widest craters in the archipelago, 300 metres deep. On the ridge the wind calls for good balance.~10 km · +400 m · 3½ h · 30 min from Costa Teguise, start at the Los Dolores car park (Mancha Blanca), lunch in Tinajo
3. Day 3The Risco de Famara In the far north, down and up the Camino de los Gracioseros, the old stone path zigzagging along the great Famara cliff to the lonely black-sand beaches below. Loose stone and a continuous gradient demand concentration; the reward is the view over the whole Chinijo archipelago.~7 km return · +500 m, very steep · 3½–4 h · start from Yé, 30 min from the base
4. Day 4La Graciosa and Montaña Bermeja Ferry from Órzola to the island without asphalt. A test of endurance on sandy tracks, past Playa de las Conchas, up to the red Montaña Bermeja: red rock, golden sand and turquoise water.~15 km · +150 m, flat but tiring on soft sand · 5 h · 35 min to Órzola and the first ferry of the morning (30 min crossing)
5. Day 5Rest and culture or a light walk A flexible day. If you prefer to rest, enjoy the visionary art of César Manrique at the Jameos del Agua or the Fundación in Tahíche; if you want to keep moving, walk straight from your door up Montaña de Tinaguache for the coastal views, then spend the afternoon on Las Cucharas beach.~8 km · +250 m · 2 h · loop from the northern end of Costa Teguise
6. Day 6The Los Ajaches ridges The oldest land of Lanzarote, in the deep south: a desert trek among fossil canyons, dry gullies and sharp ridges with no shade, descending to the pristine coves of Papagayo for a well-earned swim.~13 km one way · +450 m · 5 h · start in Femés (35 min), taxi back from Papagayo to the car
7. Day 7Volcán del Cuervo and La Geria A walk through fine black cinder around the Volcán del Cuervo, into its collapsed crater, then along the traditional paths of La Geria, where vines grow in hollows protected by dry-stone walls. The day ends with a tasting of volcanic Malvasía in a local winery.~12 km · +300 m · 4 h · 25 min to the centre of the island (La Geria road)
8. Day 8Volcán de la Corona and the Risco The final climb in the north: along traditional fields to the huge crater of La Corona, then along the edge of the Risco cliffs, exposed to the trade winds, high above the ocean. In the afternoon you can visit the Jameos del Agua.~9 km · +350 m · 3 h · start at the church of Yé, 30 min from the base
9. Day 9Goodbye Lanzarote A coffee on the Costa Teguise seafront, the last local crafts, then the drive to the airport and your flight home.

Practical information