Los Volcanes Natural Park in Lanzarote

If you enjoy hiking and exploring unique, lunar-like landscapes, I’ve put together this article about my guided hike in Los Volcanes Park. Located right next to the famous Timanfaya National Park, it turned out to be a fantastic experience. I’d even say that hiking in Los Volcanes Park is one of the must-do activities in Lanzarote. I have such fond memories of it. The hike gave me the chance to get right up close to the lava fields and even walk inside a volcanic crater (yes, really!).

Having a local guide with us was another major advantage. Along the way, I learned all kinds of fascinating facts and anecdotes about the landscape—things I would never have discovered on my own. I’d describe it as a very accessible hike: the trails are mostly flat, with only a gentle elevation gain. The main challenge is that there’s no shade, and you’ll be walking over sand and rocky paths. Still, as long as you come prepared with good shoes, water, a snack, a cap or hat, and sunscreen, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Honestly, if you’re planning a trip to Lanzarote, I recommend adding this activity to your itinerary. In this article, I’m sharing an experience that became one of the highlights of my entire vacation on the island.

When I booked this activity, I’ll admit that I didn’t study the route in detail. I wanted to keep some of the surprise and enjoy the experience even more! All I knew was that I’d be walking among volcanoes and that the hike was fairly accessible—always worth checking, haha. For this excursion, you’re picked up at a meeting point arranged with the organizer and driven to the trailhead. In my case, the closest pickup point was Puerto Calero. Our van collected us at 9:30 a.m., and we began the hike at around 10 a.m.

We found ourselves at the foot of Montaña Negra in a small group of six, with both French and Spanish participants. That worked perfectly for me, as I could choose which language to follow for the guide’s explanations. Before we set off, the guide gave each of us a small snack for the trail: a banana and a cereal bar. It was a thoughtful and useful touch, especially on a hike. She then gave us a quick briefing about the route while still keeping enough details under wraps to preserve the surprise. After that, we took our first steps along the trail at an easy pace. We stopped several times so our guide could explain the different layers of lava and the sparse vegetation that manages to grow through the ash and between the rocky formations.

I found it fascinating. We learned that around 300 years ago, volcanic eruptions continued for six years and destroyed several villages. That meant we were walking over ancient lava flows and the remains of old settlements. The guide also explained that the lava advanced slowly and continuously, which is why there were no casualties. Residents had time to leave, even though rebuilding their lives elsewhere was far from easy.

As we headed toward Montaña Negra, we noticed that the mountain had far more vegetation than the surrounding fields. The reason is simple but interesting: mountains that were already there were not covered by the lava flows. The lava moved around them rather than over them. At the base of the mountain, we also spotted olive trees, prickly pears, and even a few palm trees. The guide explained that this was thanks to lapilli, the small volcanic stones that act like sponges by trapping water and moisture. They help sustain crops because, contrary to what you might expect, Lanzarote becomes very humid at night. Local residents even collect these stones for their gardens. The hike became more interesting with every step toward Montaña Negra, and this was only the beginning of the route.

We followed a path around Montaña Negra, walking partway up the slope until we reached a water tank. We saw a few people climbing to the summit even though it is forbidden. It was a shame to see, but unfortunately, there are always some visitors who ignore the rules, even in a protected area.

At the water tank, on the far side of Montaña Negra, we stopped to eat our snacks and sit down for a while as the sun grew stronger. You don’t necessarily feel how intense it is, but we still ended up with sunburn. That’s part of the experience too, I suppose, haha. During the break, we were joined by Lanzarote’s famous lizards. They vary in size, but they’re all harmless—and very fond of bananas. That’s really the only reason they come close. They’re important because they are the island’s main land-dwelling species.

We then continued toward the famous Volcán del Cuervo, whose name means “raven” in English. The name comes from the many raven nests found inside the crater. It may seem unusual, but with so few trees on Lanzarote, the birds had to find another kind of habitat.

And yes, we went right inside the crater. I honestly had no idea what to expect. You imagine all sorts of things, but once you’re there, the crater feels almost like being enclosed by a mountain ridge. It’s remarkable: you can wander around peacefully and take in the surroundings at your own pace. The setting is truly unique. You walk between towering cliffs in shades of ocher, purple, red, and black, with a little vegetation here and there, including succulents. That said, Lanzarote has far less vegetation than other Canary Islands such as Tenerife, La Gomera, or La Palma.

The guide gave us some free time to explore the crater however we liked, take photos, and simply enjoy the scenery. We then continued through the vineyards, where the growing methods are both distinctive and beautiful to see. To give you an idea, each vine requires a hole around three meters in diameter, along with a low stone wall for protection. This creates a landscape unlike anywhere else and one that is deeply characteristic of the island.

We walked along the edge of fields that looked like rows of small black craters, each bordered by a curved stone wall with a single vine growing in the center. The layout is strikingly regular and carefully measured. It’s beautiful to look at, although the work behind it is demanding and done entirely by hand. As a result, fewer and fewer people are producing wine this way, especially because every vine requires so much land and labor. It’s unfortunate, but understandable.

I hope these landscapes and this tradition can survive over time. The vineyards eventually lead toward the village of La Geria. If you’re interested, you’ll find bodegas there, created by local winegrowers to share the history of the vineyards and offer tastings of white and red wines, often with tapas. It’s a lovely and very local experience. In our case, the hike ended shortly before we reached the bodegas, and we were driven back to our original meeting point in Puerto Calero.

I really enjoyed this hike, which felt wonderfully varied and complete. We had a friendly group, and the guide adapted easily to our pace. She spoke both French and Spanish very well, and we learned so much about Lanzarote along the way. My overall impression of the experience was therefore extremely positive. I’ll share my detailed review just below.

As you’ve probably gathered, I had a wonderful time on this guided hike through Los Volcanes Park. The organization was excellent: everything felt smooth and well planned. All we had to do was follow the route, enjoy the views, take photos, and listen to the guide’s explanations. It gave us a real chance to switch off. I also loved the route itself. It was accessible to almost anyone, with no need to be an experienced hiker, yet it still offered an impressive amount of variety. In just three hours, we saw lava fields with different layers, vegetation, mountains, craters, and vineyards. What more could you ask for?

The guide’s explanations added so much to the experience and made the route far more enriching. I’ve shared some of what we learned here, but rest assured that there is plenty more to discover if you choose this outing in the heart of Los Volcanes Park. To me, it felt like much more than a hike: it was a genuinely immersive experience among the volcanoes, and that is the memory I’ll carry with me. I also appreciated the small group size. With fewer than ten people, we could ask questions, chat, stop to admire the lunar landscapes, and above all, enjoy the peace and quiet. The explanations also helped me understand what makes Lanzarote so distinctive—and why parts of it look so much like Mars.

The company we booked this guided hike with was Canary Trekking, a local operator that has been around since 1998. With that kind of experience, it has had plenty of time to build a solid reputation. The agency specializes in guided hikes through Lanzarote’s characteristic volcanic landscapes, from the lava fields of Los Volcanes Park to the cliffs in the south.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and my experience matched them. The company’s approach is personal and welcoming. Groups are small, giving you time to observe the landscape, listen to the guide, and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Guides often speak French, but English, Spanish, and German are also available. One of the biggest advantages is their in-depth knowledge of the island: its history, geology, flora, and especially the eruptions that shaped Lanzarote’s landscapes.

Whether you’re staying on Lanzarote for a while or only visiting for a few days, Canary Trekking offers several routes suitable for different ability levels, from beginners to experienced hikers. Whatever the route, the same care goes into each excursion: clear explanations, a passion for nature and local history, and a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere. The company also operates on other Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, and La Palma.

Walking along trails surrounded by black and ocher landscapes is a beautiful experience. You find yourself looking in every direction and paying attention to every detail. If you enjoy hiking, trekking, or simply taking scenic walks, Canary Trekking is well worth considering. These are not generic tourist strolls, but more authentic experiences rooted in the island’s landscape and history. That, to me, is the company’s greatest strength, and a walk, trek, or hike with them can add something special to a trip to Lanzarote.