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5 unforgettable hikes on La Palma – discover volcanoes, peaks & green valleys
15.11.2025
5 unforgettable hikes on La Palma – discover volcanoes, peaks & green valleys
La Palma enchants with unique trails between volcanoes, cloud seas and laurel forests. These five routes – from the Ruta de los Volcanes to the Roque de los Muchachos – are true island highlights and also suitable for ambitious beginners.
5 hikes on La Palma that you should definitely experience at least once
If you truly want to experience La Palma, you should have completed at least one of the island’s legendary hikes – ideally several. Few Canary Islands offer so much variety in such a compact area: black lava fields, deep ravines, mystical forests and summits above the sea of clouds.
These five routes showcase the best of the “Isla Bonita” – impressive, diverse and also suitable for ambitious beginners. Whether it’s a volcanic ridge walk, a Caldera adventure or a laurel forest: Hiking on La Palma combines nature, scenery and an authentic sense of peace.
Ruta de los Volcanes – along the backbone of the island
La Palma’s most famous hiking route follows the ridge of the Cumbre Vieja and impressively illustrates the volcanic character of the island. Starting at the Refugio El Pilar, the trail traverses black lava fields, extinct craters and pine forests before descending into Fuencaliente – with wide views over the Atlantic and the neighbouring islands.
The route is about 17.3 km long, with roughly 723 m ascent and 1,441 m descent. Plan for 5–6 hours of walking time. At the end point in Fuencaliente (Los Canarios), you can return by bus or taxi – sharing a taxi with other hikers is the most convenient option.
– Start point (Google Maps): Refugio El Pilar – End point (Google Maps): Fuencaliente – Los Canarios
La Palma’s most famous hiking route follows the ridge of the Cumbre Vieja and impressively illustrates the volcanic character of the island. Starting at the Refugio El Pilar, the trail traverses black lava fields, extinct craters and pine forests before descending into Fuencaliente – with wide views over the Atlantic and the neighbouring islands.
The route is about 17.3 km long, with roughly 723 m ascent and 1,441 m descent. Plan for 5–6 hours of walking time. At the end point in Fuencaliente (Los Canarios), you can return by bus or taxi – sharing a taxi with other hikers is the most convenient option.
– Start point (Google Maps): Refugio El Pilar – End point (Google Maps): Fuencaliente – Los Canarios
Caldera de Taburiente – through the heart of the island
This National Park route leads into the impressive erosion landscape of the Caldera de Taburiente – a vast natural basin with watercourses, pine forests and towering vertical cliffs. The classic route begins with a taxi transfer to Los Brecitos. From there, a well-marked trail descends into the basin, passing the campsite and continuing through the Barranco de las Angustias back to the starting area (approx. 16 km, ~6–7 hrs).
Extension for experienced hikers: From the Playa de Taburiente, you can continue uphill to the Mirador Cascada de la Fondada and then to the Mirador Hoya Verde, with its small natural pools. This route is longer and more demanding, but leads through particularly remote sections.
In summer, swimwear is recommended – there are beautiful refreshing spots along the entire route. Do not start too late, especially in winter, to ensure you return before dark.
– Start point (Google Maps): Barranco de las Angustias Parking – Transfer point (Google Maps): Los Brecitos
This National Park route leads into the impressive erosion landscape of the Caldera de Taburiente – a vast natural basin with watercourses, pine forests and towering vertical cliffs. The classic route begins with a taxi transfer to Los Brecitos. From there, a well-marked trail descends into the basin, passing the campsite and continuing through the Barranco de las Angustias back to the starting area (approx. 16 km, ~6–7 hrs).
Extension for experienced hikers: From the Playa de Taburiente, you can continue uphill to the Mirador Cascada de la Fondada and then to the Mirador Hoya Verde, with its small natural pools. This route is longer and more demanding, but leads through particularly remote sections.
In summer, swimwear is recommended – there are beautiful refreshing spots along the entire route. Do not start too late, especially in winter, to ensure you return before dark.
– Start point (Google Maps): Barranco de las Angustias Parking – Transfer point (Google Maps): Los Brecitos
Roque de los Muchachos – hike to the highest point of La Palma
The Roque de los Muchachos, at 2,426 m, is the island’s highest summit – a place every hiker should visit at least once. From the Mirador de los Andenes, a scenic path follows the crater rim, passing the observatories, and continues up to the summit with its two spectacular viewpoints.
The route is around 3.5 km each way and technically straightforward, though firm footing is needed in areas with loose lava stones. Early morning usually offers the best visibility – often the Caldera appears like a vast sea of clouds below you.
– Start point (Google Maps): Mirador de los Andenes – End point (Google Maps): Roque de los Muchachos
The Roque de los Muchachos, at 2,426 m, is the island’s highest summit – a place every hiker should visit at least once. From the Mirador de los Andenes, a scenic path follows the crater rim, passing the observatories, and continues up to the summit with its two spectacular viewpoints.
The route is around 3.5 km each way and technically straightforward, though firm footing is needed in areas with loose lava stones. Early morning usually offers the best visibility – often the Caldera appears like a vast sea of clouds below you.
– Start point (Google Maps): Mirador de los Andenes – End point (Google Maps): Roque de los Muchachos
Pico de la Nieve – panoramic views above the clouds
If you enjoy the high-altitude landscapes of the island, you should also visit Pico de la Nieve. The ascent starts directly from the mountain road LP-4, where a small parking area marks the trailhead. From here, a well-maintained path climbs through pine forest up to the ridge, offering fantastic views over the eastern side of the island.
The summit at 2,239 m provides clear views of Tenerife on bright days. This route can be perfectly combined with the hike to Roque de los Muchachos – experiencing both reveals the full beauty of La Palma’s high mountain scenery.
– Trailhead (Google Maps): Parking area on the LP-4
If you enjoy the high-altitude landscapes of the island, you should also visit Pico de la Nieve. The ascent starts directly from the mountain road LP-4, where a small parking area marks the trailhead. From here, a well-maintained path climbs through pine forest up to the ridge, offering fantastic views over the eastern side of the island.
The summit at 2,239 m provides clear views of Tenerife on bright days. This route can be perfectly combined with the hike to Roque de los Muchachos – experiencing both reveals the full beauty of La Palma’s high mountain scenery.
– Trailhead (Google Maps): Parking area on the LP-4
Cubo de la Galga – magical laurel forest in the northeast
The evergreen laurel forest in the northeast is a fascinating natural paradise. The trail begins at the information centre in Puntallana and leads deep into dense vegetation with laurel trees, ferns and mosses – like walking through a fairy-tale forest.
The shorter option to the “Jardín de Helechos” is about 5 km (out & back, 2 hrs), while the circular route via the Mirador de Somada Alta is around 9 km (3 hrs). The atmosphere is especially magical in light mist, when sunbeams filter through the humid forest.
– Start point (Google Maps): Puntallana Information Centre
The evergreen laurel forest in the northeast is a fascinating natural paradise. The trail begins at the information centre in Puntallana and leads deep into dense vegetation with laurel trees, ferns and mosses – like walking through a fairy-tale forest.
The shorter option to the “Jardín de Helechos” is about 5 km (out & back, 2 hrs), while the circular route via the Mirador de Somada Alta is around 9 km (3 hrs). The atmosphere is especially magical in light mist, when sunbeams filter through the humid forest.
– Start point (Google Maps): Puntallana Information Centre
Our tip for hiking enthusiasts
Use the Rother hiking guide or app to plan tours, view GPS tracks and discover shorter variants. Many sections can be combined – for example, the transition between Pico de la Nieve and Roque de los Muchachos, or shortened versions of the Volcano Route. This way, hiking on La Palma becomes a varied experience full of scenic highlights.More inspiration for your hiking holiday
In addition to these five classics, it’s worth looking at our easy hikes on La Palma – perfect for beginners, families and relaxed walkers.Link: To the easy hikes on La Palma
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These five hikes show why La Palma is considered the most beautiful hiking island in the Canary Islands –
between volcanoes, a sea of clouds and laurel forest, you experience the full diversity of the “Isla Bonita”.
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