One of the most popular routes on La Palma due to its beauty and rich landscape is undoubtedly the Route of the Volcanoes. A spectacular volcanic route of about 22 km with a difference in height of about 1,200 metres, where we can contemplate the recent geological history of the island. In its day it was an important communication route between regions of La Palma. The path, which has been prepared and signposted, starts at Refugio El Pilar, located in the municipality of El Paso, in the centre of the island, and winds through the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park until it reaches the municipality of Fuencaliente.
As the final point of this route you have two options. You can do it in its complete route, ending in the Fuencaliente Lighthouse (Faro de Fuencaliente in Spanish) or do its shorter version, ending in Los Canarios neighbourhood (Fuencaliente), where you can return with our transfer or link up again with our regular transport lines.
Walking the Volcanoes Route is the best way to discover the most volcanic part of the island, enjoying landscapes that seem like science fiction and even evoke a virtual walk on the planet Mars. You will also be able to enjoy incredible panoramic views of both sides of La Palma and, depending on the day, you may even be able to see some of the other three islands of the province: Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. You will discover how the green of the Canarian pine tree enhances the dark volcanic landscape in a real pleasure for your eyes.
The complete hike, of medium to high difficulty, is quite demanding and has a total length of about 22 kilometres to the Fuencaliente Lighthouse (one way). As an alternative, you can do the shorter version ending up in Los Canarios district, thus reducing the distance to 18 kilometres. It is advisable to wear suitable clothing and footwear and take water and some food with you for the journey.
In its shortest version, the path ends in the neighbourhood of Los Canarios (Fuencaliente), where we can enjoy a well-deserved rest and replenish our strength.
In its longest version, you can also reach the Fuencaliente Lighthouse, the southernmost point of the island, where you can enjoy its coast/beaches and the Fuencaliente Salt Flats, with a palette of colours (white salt, volcanic black…) that leaves no one indifferent and which have been declared a Site of Scientific Interest as it is a resting place for many migratory birds.
In case you do not want to do the Route of the Volcanoes, you also have the possibility of leaving your car at the Visitor Center of the Caldera de Taburiente, take our transfer to go up to the El Pilar and then go down again walking along the trails enabled to your vehicle with the GR131 paht and later the PRLP1.
In case you do not want to return directly with our transfer, you can also do it on our regular transport lines: