Nestled in the heart of the Canary Islands, La Palma stands as a beautiful hidden gem waiting to be explored by avid adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. From its rugged volcanic landscapes to its lush greenery, this island offers a plethora of hiking trails and natural wonders just waiting to be enjoyed. To ensure you experience the best of this magical place during your stay, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite spots and hikes that showcase the unparalleled beauty of La Palma.
1. Caldera de Taburiente National Park
Our journey begins at the breathtaking Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Here, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering cliffs, lush pine forests, and cascading waterfalls. Don’t miss the opportunity to hike down from Los Brecitos lookout point, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the caldera’s dramatic landscapes. The full looped trail starts at the riverbed of the park and goes all the way up and around the park, ending where you started and parked your car.
If you’re staying at La Luminaria Farm, you’re in luck! The farm actually sits on the trail, so you can conveniently start from there and save yourself 15 minutes of uphill. To do the whole loop would be around 8-9 hours- if you’re looking for a challenging hike, this is the one. If you want to do the less challenging version, what most people do is take a taxi from the riverbed below, to the highest point of the hike- Brecitos- and then hike down and through the park from there. That’d take you around 3-4 hours to get back down to the riverbed and then just 15 minutes to walk back up to the farm and house from there.
2. Volcano Route (Ruta de los Volcanes)
El Refugio del Pillar houses a bunch of great hikes (including one that goes all the way to Roque de los Muchachos) but my favorite would be La Ruta de los Volcanes which means volcano route. Starting at the Refugio de Pilar in El Paso, this challenging hike takes you on an adventure through otherworldly volcanic terrain, offering unparalleled views of La Palma’s rugged coastline, majestic peaks, and the volcanos that created this stunning island. You may even get approached by the island’s friendly crows! The route culminates in Fuencaliente, where you can bask in the glory of having conquered one of the island’s most iconic trails.
The trail is very well-marked, but it is a pretty strenuous hike. It is around 17 km to Fuencaliente and has many elevation changes. It took my best friend and me around 6 and a half hours to complete it our first time. You’d also have to hire a taxi to take you from Fuencaliente to where you parked your car at the start of the hike- which would be around 50 euros. You can also do the longer version that’ll take you to the beach and Fuencaliente’s lighthouse (which I believe would be a total of 24 km). I haven’t done the longer version yet, but it’s on my list- I’d recommend it for a sunnier day that way you can take a plunge in La Zamora beach afterward! La Zamora is a beach that is enveloped by cliffs on all sides. There is a trail that goes down to it, but at the start of the trail, you’ll find a cute seafood shack that serves typical Spanish tapas and freshly caught fish and seafood.
3. El Poris de Candelaria
One of my favorite spots in the world is Poris de Candelaria, and one of my favorite adventures to do is to pack a picnic lunch, a beach blanket, and a good book and head to the poris for the day with my dog. There are tons of flat rocks in the cave where you can layout and watch the tides swirl the crystal blue water in the natural wave pool below. it’s also basically impossible to get service there so it really forces you to disconnect and enjoy the moment. I’d recommend going on a day that isn’t windy because if it is too windy, the wave pool becomes a whirlpool and they put the dreaded red flags up (aka a very strong recommendation for people to not go in).
While it is possible, it is quite difficult to get to on foot, not to mention that the way back would be absolutely brutal. Therefore, I recommend driving to the closest parking lot you can get to and then hiking from there. Do be cautioned that the roads can be very narrow and steep at certain points along the way. There may be instances where you meet another driver heading in the opposite direction- do not panic. If you are the one going downhill, pull to the side if you can and let them pass- if you do not have enough space, just back up until you find a less narrow spot to pull to the side. It is customary for the one going downhill to make way for those going uphill since many cars on the island are manual and the car becomes harder to stop and maneuver if you’re going uphill. While the car ride may be a little stressful, the views along the way more than make up for it!
4. La Cumbrecita
Another hike I’d recommend is really any of the hikes at the Cumbrecita. There are a couple that are quite difficult but yield the most amazing views of the northern side of the Caldera. Parking requires a reservation, so I’d recommend doing that and reserving the max of five hours so that you have time to complete the hikes. You can make the reservations here.
Reservations are only required until 4 pm. After that, you are free to go and stay for as long as you like. And as night falls, you can embark on a magical journey along the Starlight Trail at La Cumbrecita. This enchanting trail takes you on a guided tour of the island’s celestial wonders, offering beautiful stargazing opportunities amidst the backdrop of La Palma’s pristine night sky. Remember to pack lanterns and layers though- because at those altitudes, it can get pretty chilly- especially in the evening.
5. Roque de los Muchachos at Sunrise
If you’re not opposed to an early start, I’d definitely recommend driving up to Roque de Los Muchachos before sunrise one of your days here to watch the sunrise from there. There are spots along the road that have the most spectacular views above the clouds. Perched atop the island’s highest peak, this iconic viewpoint offers sweeping panoramic views of La Palma’s volcanic landscapes bathed in the golden hues of daybreak. Watch in awe as the island awakens to the gentle embrace of the morning sun, casting a warm glow upon its rugged terrain. Make sure to pack layers and a blanket though because you will most definitely need them in the early hours of the morning and at that altitude.
After the sunrise, you can explore Roque de los Muchachos, see the observatory, and do some short hikes around there (though they feel long from the high altitude).
In conclusion, La Palma is a veritable paradise for nature lovers seeking adventure and exploration. From its majestic calderas to its rugged volcanic landscapes, this island offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the natural world in all its splendor. So pack your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey in La Palma, where adventure awaits your every turn.
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