The 6 best hiking routes in La Palma

La isla bonita… no, we aren’t talking about the Madonna song, we are talking about La Palma, the lushest of the Canary Islands. With beautiful mountains, green forests, waterfalls and amazing black sand beaches, you can’t miss any of its hidden treasures!

Discover the 6 best hiking routes in La Palma, walk along forests, volcanoes and beaches, and feel like an explorer in this virgin paradise.

Tunnels and trails of Marcos y Cordero in La Palma

Marcos y Cordero springs and Los Tilos waterfall

This is undoubtedly one of the most charming hiking trails on the island, passing through tunnels, rainforests and waterfalls. Depending on how fit you are and how much you want to walk, you can do just the route that reaches the springs or continue descending to Los Tilos.

The first part which goes up to the springs, has very little incline. It takes about 3 hours to cover the 7 km of this circular route, so it is suitable for children. The trail begins and ends at Casa del Monte and you have 2 options to get there: go in your own 4x4 vehicle or book a taxi.

You can pay for a taxi to wait until you complete the route, but it will cost you around €80 per person. Otherwise, you will have to wait at Casa del Monte until a taxi arrives to drop off people.

Keep in mind: if you decide to wait at Casa del Monte, it is advisable to start the route early since the taxis stop operating in the afternoon. In this case, the price will be around €18 per person one-way.

If you want to do the full trail, you must continue after the springs and walk a total of 14 km. The path has a negative elevation gain of about 1000m and it takes around 4-6 hours to complete.

In this case, you will have to take a taxi that costs around €18 per person. If you go in high season, it’s best to book the taxi in advance.

Keep in mind: it is essential to bring a flashlight as there are no lights in the tunnels. If you'd rather not get wet, wear a raincoat.

Volcanoes and salt flats of Fuencaliente

The Canaries are volcanic islands, so you can't leave without walking through the black and arid terrain that’s so characteristic of the archipelago. This route with panoramic views borders 2 volcanoes and ends at the mythical salt flats of Fuencaliente, next to the ocean.

The trail begins very close to the visitor center of the San Antonio volcano in Los Canarios. It runs about 6 km downhill. Although it’s an easy path, it’s advisable to wear appropriate shoes as most of it goes through volcanic terrain.

The best thing about this route is that you can visit the crater of the San Antonio volcano before you start walking and the Fuencaliente salt flats at the end.

Path that leads to the lighthouse and salt mines of Fuencaliente in La Palma

A walk through Buracas

Buracas, in the northwest of the island, is a magical place for many reasons. On the one hand, it was a settlement of the Benhaoritas, the original inhabitants of La Palma. Later, its cave houses were inhabited by a community that favored organic farming and a minimalist life. Not only this, but it is also the place in the Canary Islands with the highest concentration of dragos (dragon trees), an endemic plant of Macaronesia.

On a walk through Buracas you will see many dragos up close, enjoy spectacular views of the ocean, discover cave houses that are still inhabited today and, if you are lucky, you will find petroglyphs, which are stone engravings made by the indigenous people.

You can do the full route from the church of Las Tricias, which can be reached by car or public transport. From there, this circular trail of medium-low difficulty is completed in about 4.2 km. If you prefer, you can go with your own vehicle just outside the Gofio Interpretation Center and follow the signs to Buracas. This option will only take about 20 min.

Tip: don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Gofio Interpretation Center to learn more about the local culture and gastronomy.

If you want to live the full experience, you can stop at Bio Café Finca Aloe to enjoy delicious dishes made with vegetarian and locally grown ingredients. Keep in mind that it’s best to call them a few days in advance to make a reservation.

Caldera de Taburiente

If you could visit but 1 place in La Palma, this would certainly have to be La Caldera de Taburiente. The National Park has beautiful forests, natural ponds, waterfalls and impressive ravines. The complete route begins at the Mirador de los Brecitos and runs for about 13 km to the parking lot in the Barranco de Las Angustias.

If you don't feel like walking so much, you can go in and out through the Brecitos viewpoint. However, to do so, you need someone to drive you to the viewpoint and pick you up there once you finish. Another option is to use a taxi that operates from the car park in the ravine, the price is about €56 for 6 people each way.

Ideally, you could camp for a couple of nights in the camping area to enjoy this wonderful place to the fullest and avoid doing the entire route in 1 day. Also, if you are in good physical shape and want to do other trails within the park, you can see petroglyphs or visit the Fondada waterfall.

If you want to camp, don't forget to get the corresponding camping permit in advance as well as to bring enough food. You will need water to make your way to the camping area, but once there, you can refill your bottles with fresh water from the stream.

During your visit to the caldera you cannot miss the Cascada de Colores or a bath in the numerous natural pools. Just beware… the water is very cold!

Views from la Caldera de Taburiente in La Palma

Nogales Beach

If you aren’t staying long on the island and you just want to savor the magical routes of La Palma, you have to visit Nogales beach. This impressive black sand beach surrounded by green cliffs is out of this world.

Getting there is relatively easy since you can park your car in a large parking lot above the beach. From there, you can just go down the cliff by a staircase while you enjoy the views of the mountains and the Atlantic. The stairs have a railing, so the path is suitable for children.

Before reaching the beach, you will see a cave with water and beautiful colors. Sunlight illuminates only the beginning of the cave that stretches out into the darkness.

Did you know?: inside the cave, there is an underwater volcanic tube that leads to the sea.

Once on the beach, enjoy the sun and the sea. Don’t forget to take out your camera... the beautiful scenery calls for it!

Keep in mind: there are usually strong currents in Nogales beach, so be very careful when swimming. We recommend you bathe on the shore and pay close attention to children.

Cubo de la Galga Forest

If you travel with children or are a beginner in the world of trekking, this is the perfect route for you! You will walk through a fairytale forest with giant ferns and laurel trees. There are 2 circular trails, one of about 9 km and the other of about 4 km, and neither is too challenging.

The trail starts near the information point car park. If you opt for the longer version, you'll arrive at a lookout point with great views before heading back through the forest to the starting place.

Keep in mind: due to the characteristics of the forest, there is usually a lot of humidity and the drop in temperatures inside it is noticeable. Unless you do this hike during the hottest months, it is advisable to bring a coat.

Views from the Cubo de la Galga viewpoint in La Palma

Tips for your hiking adventures in La Palma

• Make sure you wear comfortable and suitable footwear. Hiking boots are ideal, but routes of medium-low difficulty can be done with sports shoes.
• Find out about the routes before doing them and make sure they are suitable for your physical condition and experience, as in many trails there is no mobile signal.
• Always carry a bag to collect your garbage and do not leave any waste behind you.
• Respect the flora and fauna and avoid disturbing wild animals or playing music at a high volume.
• Make sure you bring enough water and food and bring something that contains sugar in case you get low on energy.
• Start the routes early to avoid the hottest hours and do not go hiking if there is rain forecast.

Book cheap ferry tickets to La Palma

Are you already putting on your trekking boots? On Ferryhopper, you can book your ferry tickets to La Palma online. Find all the information you need on our Map of ferries and plan your trip easily and quickly, with no hidden fees.