Trails of La Palma: La Isla Bonita

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.9 Read 16 reviews

Exploring the lush northern gorges and central volcanoes of La Palma on foot
360° views from above the clouds over the ’Island Bonita’
Feasting on local ingredients— almonds, bananas, citrus fruits and avocados
Staying in sea view properties with a relaxed and rural authentic charm
The famed ‘Ruta de los Volcanes’ and exploring the Caldera de Taburiente Park

La Palma is known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ for good reason; this beautiful isle is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, filled with deep gorges, laurel forests, dramatic cliffs and coastline. You can easily explore all of this thanks to La Palma’s superb network of walking trails. This trip contrasts the jungle-like wild gorges of the north with the volcanic wonders of the centrally-located Caldera de Taburiente National Park, where you’ll explore one of the largest erosion craters on Earth. Hike in the sunny shelter of a natural amphitheatre nearly 2,500 metres high. You’ll stay in the lovely capital of Santa Cruz and a charming rural village at a traditional finca; relaxing at the end of the day with fantastic sea views.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

La Palma’s spring-like climate is perfect for walking at any time of the year. Combining pleasantly warm weather with superb trails, La Palma will appeal to any avid walker. If you’re itching to escape to warmer climes, like the idea of contrasting coastal, forest and volcanic scenery, then you can’t beat this unspoilt and authentic Canary Island.

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent tour.

Activity:

Multi Center Walking | You will spend multiple nights in one or more of the locations on this walking tour

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal & Island, National Parks & Trails

Activity Level & Terrain

As this is a self-guided walk you will be responsible for navigation, decision making, and safety during your trip. It is graded moderate, and the longest day is 18.5km. When walking between hotels the most elevation gain is 750m and the biggest descent 1300m. You’ll be walking for around 3h30– 6 hours, so you should have a good level of walking fitness.

The walks involve sections that are rough underfoot and steep and so you should have a good head for heights and sure footing, and be comfortable walking on cobbled trails and around rocky obstacles, although the walk is not technically too difficult.

The crater edges demand a head for heights but can be avoided if necessary.

Navigation

There is good way-marking on this walk, and we will provide you with detailed maps, GPX tracks, and comprehensive route notes so you can easily find your way. As this is a self-guided walk you will be responsible for navigation, decision making, and safety during your trip.

Accommodations

7 nights accommodation is included in your trip, staying 4 nights in 3* hotels, 1 night in an apartment, and 2 nights in an authentic Finca guesthouse. All rooms have private bathrooms, some have sun terraces and some have a swimming pool.

We carefully select small friendly properties that offer great value, food, and warm welcomes. The accommodation we normally use is detailed in the itinerary, 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 available to solo walkers and there is a supplement as some of the costs are then not shared. Single rooms are available and again a supplement is payable.

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. Please be aware that the food offerings at Pension Finca Franceses are very basic. Should you wish to be taken to a nearby restaurant for food then this can be arranged at your welcome meeting. Drinks* are not included but normally available at all overnight accommodations. The *Exception is the apartment accommodation—drinks and food are available nearby.

Included

7 Nights in 3* hotels and a finca
7 Breakfasts
Transfer from Santa Cruz airport to first hotel
Transfer from last hotel to Santa Cruz airport
Luggage transfers as per itinerary
Route notes, daily maps, GPX tracks and detailed information pack
All necessary transfers as per itinerary to the start/end of the walks
24/7 telephone support from our UK office and local partner

Excluded

Travel to and from La Palma and Santa Cruz
Lunches
Dinners
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk.

When To Go

You can start your La Palma hiking trip on any day of the week, year-round, as the weather is very pleasant and ‘spring-like’ at any time of the year. The summer months of June, July, August are hottest and if you are walking at this time of year it is important to keep hydrated and wear plenty of sunscreen!

Getting to the Start

By Air: Santa Cruz on La Palma is the best airport for the start of the tour. From the UK, you can fly direct (seasonal) with charter airline Thomson into Santa Cruz, or fly indirect via Madrid or Tenerife. Find airlines serving Santa Cruz, La Palma here.

Return airport transfers on La Palma are included in your arrangements. Details will be given in your pre-departure information pack.

Getting from the End

By Air: Santa Cruz on La Palma is the best airport for the end of the tour. To the UK, you can fly direct (seasonal) with charter airline Thomson into Santa Cruz, or fly indirect via Madrid or Tenerife. Find airlines serving Santa Cruz, La Palma here.

Return airport transfers on La Palma are included in your arrangements. Details will be given in your pre-departure information pack.

Luggage Transfer

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

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Volcanic Eruption Autumn 2021

In September 2021, the Cumbre Viejo volcano erupted, which caused many flight cancellations but luckily not any serious injuries to local residents. The volcanic eruption is mainly affecting the south-western fringe of the island and the entire northern part where most of our walks are remains safe and fine for walking. As a consequence of this, we do currently have an alternative route in place to the Ruta de los Volcanoes on Day 7 which you can read about in the itinerary tab. We are monitoring the situation carefully and in regular contact with our local partners in La Palma in case any further changes to the programme are required.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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