The 11 most beautiful walks in La Palma

Hiking in La Palma is one of the island’s must-do activities: natural and unspoilt, it’s a true hiker’s paradise.

Far from the cliché of mass tourism that sometimes sticks to the Canary Islands, La Palma, the westernmost archipelago, still seems a little apart. People go there more for walking than for lounging in big hotels, even if a few seaside resorts also allow you to enjoy the ocean.

Marked by its high volcanic reliefs, La Palma culminates at 2,426 meters altitude at Roque de los Muchachos, while still being largely covered by forests, protected in part by the Caldeira de Taburiente National Park. For hikers of all stripes, La Palma offers an absolutely magnificent setting.

Thanks to numerous walking trails, you can cover a good part of La Palma on foot: the mild climate makes it an attractive hiking destination all year round. Beware, however, of heat spikes in summer! With this selection of the best walks in La Palma, there’s something for every level of walker.

1. The ascent to Roque de los Muchachos

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We’re off to a great start with one of La Palma’s most spectacular hikes: the ascent to the island’s summit, Roque de los Muchachos. Thanks to the road, it’s possible to get close enough to make this walk accessible without being a pro hiker. Bring poles, a hat and a supply of water, as shade is rare at this altitude!

Indeed, this ridge path, dotted with numerous superb viewpoints over the immense Taburiente Caldera, La Palma, the Canaries and the Atlantic, climbs to a height of 2,426 meters. The panorama is unforgettable!

2. Cubo de la Galga forest

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You’re sure to enjoy the benefits of a shady trail with this La Palma hike through the laurisilva, or laurisylva. This subtropical forest, typical of the Canaries and particularly present on the island, plunges you into the ancestral setting of La Palma.

This loop hike, which is sometimes damp, is not particularly difficult, although it does have a small vertical drop. It’s a great way to spend a half-day!

3. Ascent to Cascada de Los Colores

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This pretty La Palma hike takes you to one of the island’s most emblematic sites, the Cascada de Los Colores. At the end of the path, which climbs up to the bottom of a deep ravine, you reach a flow of ferruginous water over a volcanic wall, creating a surprising multicolored effect. The more the water flows, the greater the effect, as in springtime, for example.

The trail is widely used by hikers and remains easily accessible on the whole, especially as the ravine provides welcome shade on hot days. Some sections require you to cross the shallow stream, and therefore sometimes to take off your shoes.

4. The Teneguia volcano from the Fuencaliente lighthouse

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A change of sector with this La Palma hike on the southern tip of the island. Departure is from Faro de Fuencaliente, on the seafront. It’s the perfect way to tackle the 437-metre climb up to the emblematic Teneguia volcano. On the Cumbre Vieja, La Palma’s line of ancient volcanoes, the landscape becomes dark and lunar, contrasting marvelously with the blue immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.

A popular loop itinerary, don’t hesitate to set off early in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Sun protection and good shoes are a must.

5. Las Tricias Road Dragons

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Starting from Las Tricias, just north-west of La Palma, this is a fairly short and pleasant route, with the only difficulty being the final climb, which is steeper after the initial descent.

All along this lovely hike in La Palma, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over the island and the Atlantic Ocean. A curious feature of the route is the Canary Island dragon tree, an increasingly rare parasol-shaped plant with a reputation here for being over a hundred years old!

6. Viewpoints in Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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Miradores (Spanish for  » viewpoints « ) are unbeatable vantage points, and the large Caldeira de Taburiente National Park boasts a number of them! On this high-flying hike in La Palma, at an average altitude of 1,300 metres, you’ll find one mirador after another to delight your eyes along the way, with, in order, the Mirador de La Cumbrecita, the Mirador Lomo de Las Chozas and the Mirador de Los Roques.

The start of the hike is easily reached by road and parking lot. A popular itinerary with walkers, you’ll meet a lot of people along the way if you set off at peak times: think about this when planning your outing!

7. Climbing Pic de la Nieve

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It may not be La Palma’s highest peak, but the Pico de la Nieve still reaches an altitude of 2,232 metres. It offers superb views of both sides of the island, from the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and from the Canary Islands to the east. This panorama is reputed to be one of the finest in the whole of La Palma.

As with most of La Palma’s hikes, you can expect to do a fair bit of climbing to reach the summit. Set off well equipped, even if the route remains easily accessible thanks to the quality of the markings and the width of the return path. No need to worry.

8. Los Tilos forest walk

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In the foothills of the Caldeira de Taburiente, the Los Tilos forest is one of La Palma’s must-see natural sites. This humid gorge is still home to a fine sample of laurisilva, a type of forest endemic to the Canary Islands. At the Los Tilos information center, where the walk begins, you can find out more about this astonishing vegetation.

Then it’s on to the practical side of this La Palma hike, which is a great success due to its beauty (the forest, but also the waterfalls and cascade at the end of the route) and accessibility. Choose your walking times accordingly to avoid the crowds.

9. La Zarza cultural reserve

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This superb La Palma hike is aimed at fairly experienced hikers, both in terms of the number of kilometers to be covered and the accumulated altitude difference, but also sometimes in terms of finding your way around.

One thing’s for sure: you’ll be well rewarded for your efforts after crossing the gorge that begins at the La Zarza cultural park. The jungle-like vegetation is luxuriant and exuberant as you follow the riverbed (beware of slippery rocks in wet conditions). You leave the gorge at the Oratorio San Miguel, before winding your way through several beautiful miradores overlooking the sea, to reach the starting point of La Zarza.

10. Las Fuentes circular route

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One of the advantages of this La Palma hike is that it’s not far from the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma. The starting point, in San Pedro de Brena Alta, is easily accessible both by car and public transport (bus), for a pleasant half-day outing.

The looped route also allows you to return to your starting point, crossing forest and farmland en route, with the added bonus of beautiful views of the surrounding area and Santa Cruz.

11. Pico Bejenado from Mirador de Cumbrecita

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Let’s round off this selection of La Palma’s finest hikes with a climb and a series of superb viewpoints, the great specialty of this rugged volcanic island.

We’re back in the Caldeira de Taburiente National Park, on a spectacular mountainside trail that takes you past the Mirador La Cumbrecita to reach the Pico Bejenado after a moderately difficult ascent.