The Isla Bonita deserves to be discovered on foot. And the three essential routes are the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the GR 131 from Roque de Los Muchachos to Pico de La Cruz or to Pico de La Nieve, and the Marcos and Cordero springs. It would be an unforgivable sin to leave La Palma without having seen the spectacular landscapes of these three natural enclaves. For this reason, we organise all the necessary transfers so that you can walk, enjoy and discover the three essential routes of our island on your own.
Hiking on your own on La Palma:
3 essential routes
With organized transfers to and from your hotel or tourist accommodation.
Detailed descriptions of each route
Well-signposted trails
3 independent hikes, with all the necessary transfers to and from the hotel, as well as transfers in 4×4, departing from your tourist accommodation or hotel.
Have you already booked your accommodation? All you need to do now is to choose the right activities. And these are the ones we suggest:
MONDAY …………… Inside the Caldera Crater
WEDNESDAY ….. Through the ridges of Roque de Los Muchachos
THURSDAY …………. Through the 13 tunnels of Marcos & Cordero springs
transfers included from your accommodation (round trip)
Self-guided hiking tour
From 2 persons
What does this 3-route package include?
Detailed information on each route – with detailed day-by-day explanations.
Information material – descriptive brochure with details of each route.
GPX Tracs – to follow your tourss with your mobile device
Bus transfers – from Santa Cruz de La Palma and from Cancajos.
Support 24h – we keep permanently in touch with you throughout your stay to solve any problem or doubt you may have.
Caldera de Taburiente
It is the heart of the island, not only because of its shape. It is situated in the very centre and was declared a National Park in 1954. La Caldera is a huge erosion crater. Its volcanic activity dates back to a very remote past. The walk inside the crater is one of the best routes on La Palma. It starts at 1050 metres above sea level and descends steadily until it reaches the ravine. The old tobacco farms are still tended by hermit dwellers. The high cliffs of La Caldera favour a favourable climate with little rainfall. However, abundant springs provide enough water for the whole Aridane Valley.
Along the Roque de los Muchachos Rim
It is the highest point on La Palma. Several astronomical observatories have been set up around it. Along the ridges of the Roque we find the GR131, an extensive long-distance footpath of 84 km. And near the Roque de Los Muchachos we will find splendid viewpoints from where we can observe La Caldera and the whole island from a bird’s eye view, as well as La Gomera, El Teide and El Hierro. Without a doubt, walking parts of the GR131 is to walk along one of the best routes on La Palma.
The Marcos & Cordero springs
From “Casa del Monte”, 1,400 metres above sea level, the route starts along an old canal. But before reaching the Nacientes you have to travel along a rough track in 4×4 vehicles. This is a journey that takes almost an hour and starts in the neighbourhood of Las Lomadas, on the opposite side of the ravine between Los Sauces and this neighbourhood. The path from Casa del Monte to Los Nacientes crosses 13 tunnels and takes a good hour. After passing the water tunnel, the twelfth, it follows a small steep slope next to steep walls from which streams of water flow. We are at the first spring, that of Marcos. And following the path we will still find one last fairly long tunnel. Then the second spring appears, that of Cordero. Now the path descends steeply, crossing the entire Los Tilos forest until it reaches the Visitor Centre, the end of this spectacular hiking route on La Palma.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
But don’t forget to take a day to explore the narrow streets of our capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma. A city of exquisite Atlantic-colonial architecture, with numerous nooks and crannies and small squares, as well as an extensive urban beach and many places where you can eat well and immerse yourself in the local bustle.
The La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, located in the very heart of the island, will be the first of the three essential routes on La Palma.
The route starts at the viewpoint of Los Brecitos at 1050 m. above sea level. The trail progresses in a continuous descent towards the interior of the crater in a first stretch of 6 km. La Caldera is a semi-circular route in a natural space of enormous beauty. And along the way it shows us an extraordinary diversity of landscapes.
The starting point is a sub-alpine environment dominated by the Canarian pine. The circus of summits that makes up La Caldera offers a spectacular view of its entire perimeter. Upon reaching the Rio Taburiente, a new scene suddenly appears formed by large rocks (basaltic monoliths) and the constant flow of water channels. After a first break, the path continues its descent towards the Barranco de Las Angustias. There it is mandatory to make a point and visit the Cascada de Los Colores. Later the road continues along the bed of the ravine crossing Dos Aguas until reaching La Viña.
16 km |+120 m / -720 m
2
WEDNESDAY
Through the ridges of Roque de Los Muchachos
Today you will walk in style! The transfer by bus is already impressive, crossing 4 floors of vegetation until reaching Roque de Los Muchachos. And from an altitude of 2,426 m above the sea, the trail runs along the edge of La Caldera de Taburiente, one of the largest erosion craters in the world.
The route, signposted as GR 131, constantly offers spectacular views into the interior of La Caldera. But also over the entire island as well as the silhouette of the three neighboring islands: Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro.
Although some precipices have vertical drops of up to 1,000 meters, the ridges along which this path runs are wide and there is no danger of falling or causing height panic. Different observatories belonging to the Astrophysicist of the Canary Islands are located in the Roque area, thanks to the optimal conditions and purity of the air. Along the way there are also interesting basaltic formations such as the Roberto's Wall. After passing the Picos de La Cruz and Pico de La Nieve, you will have to leave the GR 131 to go down to the car park where the transport awaits by the LP PR 3
12 km | +590 m / -990 m
3
THURSDAY
Through the 13 tunnels of Marcos and Corderosprings
Live the adventure in the springs of Marcos and Cordero !!
Crossing 13 tunnels from the Casa del Monte, 1,400 meters above the sea, along a water channel that is more than 150 years old. The trail makes its way through a rugged landscape, where the narrow tunnels dug with picks and shovels allow access that would otherwise be unthinkable.
But first you have to climb the battered track in a 4×4 vehicle. And the transit through the tunnels must be done with protective helmets and flashlights. The penultimate tunnel is known as the "water tunnel". A respectable flow flows from its vault, which is a pleasant shower in the summer season. The entire landscape is full of beautiful plants (some endemic) that give color and fragrance to the route. After passing the second source, the path begins a relentless descent towards the Bosque de Los Tilos, submerging itself in a dense and leafy vegetation whose origins date back to the Tertiary Era.
12,5 km | +150 m / -1000 m
TOUR LOCATION
Walk at your own pace along the 3 essential routes of La Palma. With all the necessary transfers. Walk in La Caldera de Taburiente, along the crests of Roque de Los Muchachos and in the Nacientes de Marcos and Cordero, with 4x4 access to Casa del Monte.
