Walking on the Island of La Palma

Distance: 4.5 miles (7.5km)

Ascent: 1,000ft (300m)

Descent: 2,300ft (700m)

The easier walk descends through the dense laurel forest to the heart of Cubo de La Galga. Many native trees and birds can be seen and heard on our way through the ravine bed. A short transfer takes us to the archaeological site of El Tendal, a cave used by the prehispanic Benahorita population. After entering the visitor centre and learning about the indigenous people that lived on the island before the Spanish, we continue downhill surrounded by banana plantations towards San Andrés and Charco Azul. We toast with local rum for a great start of our walking holiday.

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Ascent: 2,100 ft (650m)

Descent: 3,200 ft (980m)

The harder walk ascends through the dense laurel forest to the heart of Cubo de La Galga. Many native trees and birds can be seen and heard on our way through the ravine bed. Emerging from the ravine, we descend to San Bartolomé and reach the cliff path over the coast. We cross deep canyons and continue along the coastline surrounded by banana plantations towards San Andrés and Charco Azul. We toast with local rum for a great start of our walking holiday.

Distance: 3.5miles (5.5km)

Ascent: 1,150 ft (350m)

Descent: 1,980 ft (600m)

We begin the walk in La Tosca viewpoint, famous for its impressive dragon trees and magnificent views of the north coast. Our path undulates from flat rural tops with terraces and hamlets to green shady ravines. We pass Topaciegas and La Palmita, and we finally reach Gallegos, not after crossing its deep canyon.

Distance: 5.5 miles (8.5km)

Ascent: 2,380 ft (720m)

Descent: 2,950 ft (900m)

We also start the walk in La Tosca viewpoint, famous for its impressive dragon trees and magnificent views of the north coast. Our path undulates from flat rural tops with terraces and hamlets to green shady ravines. We pass Topaciegas, La Palmita, also Gallegos, after crossing its deep canyon, and carry on to Franceses, going down and up another deep canyon.

Distance: 4.5 miles (7.5km)

Ascent: 160ft (50m)

Descent: 2,460 ft (750m)

This walk starts from the southern town of Los Canarios, where almond biscuits and sweet malmsey wines pair at perfection. We walk the rim of San Antonio volcano offering spectacular views both into its round deep crater and down to the south tip of the island. The lava flows of the new volcanoes covered the previous surface except for Roque Teneguía, where native plants and aboriginal carvings have survived. The route pass by 1971 Teneguía volcano, where gas and heat can still be seen and felt. Then, we descend through the volcanic lava fields before emerging at sea level in Faro de Fuencaliente. At the end of the walk there is time to explore the only commercial salt pans on La Palma and enjoy refreshments.

Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)

Ascent: 2,550 ft (780m)

Descent: 4,920 ft (1,500m)

The harder walk starts from the Refugio del Pilar and follows forest paths to reach the centralsouth spine of the island, Cumbre Vieja. Along this route, we pass by some of the most picturesque volcanoes of the island: the jaw-dropping Hoyo Negro crater; the lava fields of Duraznero; the 360º views from Las Deseadas, peaking almost at 2,000m (6,500ft) above sea level; and the recent eruptions of El Charco 1712 and Martin 1646, during an enjoyable descent on the volcanic sands to Los Canarios, where we meet the easier walkers and the coach.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 1,230 ft (380m)

Descent: 1,230 ft (380m)

The easier walkers start today from Las Angustias Canyon. We ascend following the river bed up to Dos Aguas and then to the ‘Cascada de Colores’. We find pillow lavas, formed inside the ocean water, after some long uplifting movements, at 400m (1,300ft) above the sea level. We cross two water dams, still in use to water the extensive banana fields on the coast of Tazacorte and Argual, filled with debris from the erosion of the Caldera. From time to time, we need to hop from one side of the stream to the other in the middle of the high towering walls of the Barranco. We walk the same way down along Las Angustias Canyon back to the coach.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 1,150 ft (350m)

Descent: 3,950 ft (1,200m)

A further drive up the Hacienda del Cura twisting road leave the harder walkers in the scenic Mirador de Los Brecitos. On the first part of the walk, we snake through the forest down to Taburiente stream crossing bridges across small ravines and enjoying the views of the Caldera and the scent of old Canary pine trees along the path. After puddling in the stream, we head down the Reventón to the ‘Cascada de Colores’ and Dos Aguas, with views to the iconic Roque Idafe. From there, we also play hopping the stream of Las Angustias side to side and continue along the Canyon downhill until we reach the coach.

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Ascent: 1,300 ft (400m)

Descent: 900 ft (280m)

Taburiente rim. Almost 2,000m (6,500ft) below there is Taburiente stream. The erosion has unearthed superb lava dikes and the vegetation try to find ways to survive here all year long. We pass near some of the telescopes before reaching the top of La Palma, Roque de Los Muchachos, and walk to the very end of the path, where we can imagine flying like a red-billed chough.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 3,280 ft (1000m)

Descent: 1,480 ft (450m)

The hard walkers start today climbing up, overpassing the pine forest line, to reach Pico de Las Nieves, where the Caldera opens suddenly immense and overwhelming. From there, a gently ascent, but undulating, following the Caldera’s rim, takes us to Pico de Piedra Llana, Pico de la Cruz and, finally, a well-deserved, Roque de Los Muchachos.