There are many great reasons for visiting the Canaries: walking across the lunar landscape, getting some much needed winter sun, and staying within sight of a volcano are amongst factors that make a convincing case for visiting this fascinating chain of islands. Lanzarote is one of the more northerly islands in the Canaries and has a somewhat extreme landscape, making it particularly seductive to holiday-makers who want to spend time outdoors. The island is roughly 60 km long, by 25 km wide, giving it 213 km of coastline. While there is a decent amount of beach and sand (26.5km), the rest of the coastline is rocky.
Walking Routes on the Island
Although there are plenty of ways to get around in the eastern Canaries, walking is the ideal way to traverse the rocky terrain. Most visitors will base themselves in Arrecife, the island's capital since 1852. Located on the eastern side of the middle of the island, Arrecife is the perfect setting off point. Popular walks include the mountains above Costa Teguise, and down into the Valley of a Thousand Trees and onto Haria in the very north of the island. Another popular hike in the area follows the jagged coastline in the north, starting from Ye and heading to Famara. This route offers fantastic views of Graciosa Island, a small volcanic island located 2km from the northern tip of Lanzarote.
Timanfaya National Park
Lanzarote is home to the Timanfaya National Park, a 51.07 sq km land of rolling hills composed from volcanic soil. The area is still active and guides often produce geysers by pouring water into holes in the ground - all for the benefit of the tourists. The red, ochre and black colours of the ground betray the volcanic origins of the Canaries. Walking is carefully monitored in the national park, which, like the whole of Lanzarote is part of a UNESCO biosphere, but visitors will really enjoy the guided walks or camel rides in this alien landscape.
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