El Hierro: Edge of Europe

Fancy somewhere truly different, getting off the beaten track to explore one of Europe’s hidden gems? Are you fascinated by geology and the living planet? This little-known, sleepy volcanic island is the perfect spot to discover on foot. Whilst there are some ascents, we’ve ensured that transfers take the strain when needed, allowing you to focus on El Hierro’s superb trails.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Solo Travellers

This tour is graded moderate overall with ascents of between 200 and 550m, and descents of up to 1050m. Days 5 and 6 in particular are slightly more challenging as they involve long, steep descents - 850m and 1050m respectively. On some days you’ll be walking for around 6 hours, but on several of the days there are optional loop walks, so you can relax at your hotel if you prefer. To make the most of this trip you should have a good level of walking fitness. 

7 nights accommodation is included in your trip in small traditional hotels. 

We carefully select small friendly hotels that offer great value and warm welcomes. The accommodation we normally use is detailed in the itinerary and below, however if unavailable we may need to offer alternative hotels, and we will inform you on booking if this is the case.  

You can add extra nights at any point during your stay—please contact us for details. 

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is not available to solo walkers due to the remote nature of some of the walks. Single rooms are available fo a supplement as some of the costs are then not shared. 

Meals

7 Breakfasts are included. Packed lunches are available from your accommodation (order the night before) or you can stop and buy a picnic on the way. Drinks are not included but available at all overnight accommodations.

There is some way-marking on this walk. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account. As this is a self guided walk you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip.

Our walks usually begin and end at a central point in town (such as a church, bus stop, etc.). Access routes to your accommodation are not included in our km daily figures. However, the Macs app will guide you to your accommodation.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

• El Hierro by Freytag & Berndt (map)

You can start your El Hierro: Edge of Europe trip on any day of the week, from September to June. Please note that there may be a supplement payable for travel over Christmas and Easter.

NOTE: The Parador Hotel in Las Playas will be closed from 30/01/23 to 15/05/23. If you travel at this time we will book you into an alternative hotel called the Hotel Boomerang in Valverde. This is a small, family-run hotel and more simple than the Parador but in a great location! If you are booked here a small discount will be applied to your booking. 

By Air: there are several companies flying from Tenerife (where there are 2 airports, North and South) to El Hierro. Most of the flights from the UK land in the South airport. To get to El Hierro there are two options: flying (bintercanarias.com, operating only from Tenerife North) or you can take the ferry from Los Cristianos near Tenerife South airport, which departs in the afternoon to El Hierro (2-2h30 each way).

We suggest that you book an early flight to Tenerife and then fly to El Hierro; in case there is a change of airport a transfer by taxi can be booked or there is an excellent local bus service connecting the airports.

A transfer is included to take you from the airport to your first hotel in Valverde.

Baggage transfers are included on this tour, as per the itinerary on days 3 and 6, so you only walk with a small back-pack.