Walking the Island of La Palma

KEY INFORMATION 

5 days point-to-point walking; 1 free day

Altitude max 2426m, average 800m

Group normally 6 to 16, plus local leader. Min age 16yrs

7 nights accommodation in guesthouses and hotels

All breakfasts and 4 dinners included

Location start: Santa Cruz

Location end: Santa Cruz

HIGHLIGHTS ❇️

❇️ Hike fantastic walks across dramatic volcanic terrain

❇️ Experience spectacular views reaching as far as Mount Teide on Tenerife

❇️ Sample local delicacies such as miel de palma (palm honey)

❇️ Walk the famous 'Ruta de los Volcanes'

Included ✅

✅ Accommodation

✅ All Breakfast and 4 Dinner Meals

✅ All transport and listed activities

✅ Standard transfers

✅ Guide - Tour leader

✅ Detailed Itinerary (upon booking confirmation)

Not Included ❌

❌ Flights (optional item)

❌ Travel Insurance (optional item)

❌ Single accommodation (available on request)

❌ Solo traveller supplement (Where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

❌ Visas or vaccinations

⚠️ Optional items can be added to your travel upon your request

Onsite / Nearby ➡️

➡️ Island

➡️ Rural/Coastal

➡️ Mountains

➡️ Beach

Itinerary

Day 1 Barlovento; transfer to hotel

After arrival at the airport we take a 60 minute private transfer to the hotel in Barlovento, our home for the first three nights. The local leader will give an evening briefing before dinner.

Overnight Hotel La Palma Romantica or similar

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 After a short transfer hike through a prehistoric forest to Barlovento.

After breakfast we transfer (approx. 15mins) to the starting point of our hike in the lush north-east of La Palma. The walk begins in the rainforest of Los Tilos, close to the town of Los Sauces, with a short but steep climb up some 500 or so steps to a viewpoint, ‘Mirador de Las Barandas’ offering views down to the densely forested ravine of Los Tilos. From here, the trail undulates through laurel forest, and we walk through prehistoric vegetation until the path emerges at Laguna de Barlovento – a manmade reservoir above Barlovento.

Overnight Hotel La Palma Romantica or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance covered: 9.0 km / 5.6 miles

Total Ascent (m): 650

Total Descent (m): 350

Activity (hours): 4.5

Day 3 Transfer to Franceses; trek along the steep coastline, through deep gorges with spectacular ocean views

After a 15 minute transfer this morning, we will walk north along the dramatic coastline towards Barlovento. The hike along the steep coastline and deep gorges offers breathtaking views over the ocean, and passes Dragon Tree populations and picturesque villages. On arrival in Barlovento we can visit a local bar for a drink before walking back to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight Hotel La Palma Romantica or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance covered: 15.0 km / 9.3 miles

Total Ascent (m): 900

Total Descent (m): 700

Activity (hours): 5.5

Day 4 Take a transfer to Roque de Los Muchachos (2426m); walk from the Caldera rim through the subalpine landscape. Overnight Santa Cruz.

Today we trek from the highest point of the island! After a transfer (1hr 30min) to Roque de Los Muchachos, at an elevation of approx. 2426m, we begin the spectacular hike around the caldera rim, one of the largest craters in the world. The beautiful subalpine landscape combined with sweeping views over La Palma and towards the neighbouring Canary Islands make this walk an unforgettable experience. Although it cannot be guaranteed, this trek is above the usual cloud level, and on a clear day it is possible to see as far as Mount Teide on Tenerife.

There are glimpses into the caldera and of colourful red and yellow rock surfaces on the colossal caldera sides. After walking right by some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, we make our picnic stop in Pico de la Cruz (2351m) before heading to the end in Pico de la Nieve, at 2239m. Our bus will pick us up from here for the 1hr transfer to our final base in Santa Cruz. 

Overnight El Galeon or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Distance covered: 12.0 km / 7.5 miles

Total Ascent (m): 1000

Total Descent (m): 490

Activity (hours): 5

Day 5 Free day. Opportunity to discover the old town of Santa Cruz, or spend the day at the beach

Today is a free day and there are numerous activities nearby you can enjoy, ranging from a boat trip in search of dolphins and whales (seasonal/weather dependent), a massage, or diving trips. It is also possible to take advantage of La Palma's famously clear skies on a stargazing trip after dinner (subject to availability and weather conditions). Alternatively you could spend the day discovering the old town of Santa Cruz, a site of both historic and artistic interest, with cobbled streets, Flemish altarpieces, the Insular Museum and theatres, or relaxing on the nearby black sand volcanic beach, located at the city sea front, just few walking minutes from your hotel. 

Overnight Hotel El Galeon or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 After a transfer, a magnificent hike through the National Park Caldera de Taburiente with its endemic flora

After a 60 minute transfer up a winding road to Los Brecitos at an elevation of 1050m we begin a magnificent journey through the National Park, with its endemic flora. There is an initial gradual descent (1.5-2hrs) on a trail cut into the steep gorge sides, which winds through pine forest all the way down to the ever running River Taburiente. The rocks along the river banks are a great place to stop for your lunch and there’s also time to visit the small information centre, which houses a model of the caldera. After lunch we cross the river and have a short uphill climb before dropping down into a spectacular neighbouring gorge which we follow for the rest of the afternoon. After the walk, we transfer back to Santa Cruz de La Palma.

Overnight Hotel El Galeon or similar(Staying at the Macarico Beach Hotel, Half Board in a local restaurant)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance covered: 16.0 km / 9.9 miles

Total Ascent (m): 100

Total Descent (m): 850

Activity (hours): 6

Day 7 Short transfer to Refugio del Pilar before walking arguably the most classic and scenic trail on La Palma: Ruta de Los Volcanes

Today we walk arguably the most classic and scenic trek La Palma has to offer; La Ruta de Los Volcanes. After a transfer (30 mins) to Refugio del Pilar the trail begins, walking across the youngest part of the island with countless volcanic craters along the path down to Fuencaliente. Lava landscapes and Canary pine forests make for unique scenery throughout the walk. We then transfer back to Santa Cruz de La Palma.

Overnight Hotel El Galeon or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance covered: 18.0 km / 11.2 miles

Total Ascent (m): 550

Total Descent (m): 1300

Activity (hours): 6

Day 8 Transfer to Santa Cruz airport

After breakfast, we have the majority of the day to relax or to explore Santa Cruz de La Palma at a leisurely pace before transferring to the airport for the flight back.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer Details

Depending on the group size we will use a small or large minivan for the transfers.