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8 Attractions to Visit

Moonscapes and Malvasia: Walking the Lava Fields and Vineyards of Lanzarote

Moonscapes and Malvasia: Walking the Lava Fields and Vineyards of Lanzarote
Starts from

Arrecife

Transportation

By Car

Guidance

Self-Guided

Attractions

8

Duration

11 Hours

Length

32 km

Guide details

Starts from

Arrecife

Transportation

By Car

Guidance

Self-Guided

Duration

11 Hours

Length

32 km

Price

Nature AttractionsGastronomy
Map preview

Created By:

Wendy Moore
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert

Highlights

  • Hike into the center of a large volcanic crater.
  • Watch geysers of boiling water ‘erupt’ from the ground.
  • Wander through vineyards in a lunar-like landscape.
  • Do a wine tasting and chocolate pairing.
On this trip, you’ll explore the volcanoes and lava fields of Central Lanzarote and learn how this lunar-like landscape produces some incredible wines – and, of course, you’ll get to taste some!
The island of Lanzarote is a shield volcano, believed to be around 15 million years old, although much of the landscape that you’ll see today was formed during the volcanic eruptions in 1730. These eruptions lasted for six years, covering a third of the island in ash and lava, and increasing its land mass by several square miles. Around 100 years later, there were further eruptions (in 1824) which lasted only three months but created new volcanic craters.
Driving across the island from Arrecife, you’ll spend most of the day at the 50 square km Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, inside which are the chain of volcanoes that produced the largest eruptions in 1730 and are collectively known as the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains). This eerie moonscape has a weird beauty, the blackness of the rocks contrasting with the green and orange lichen (one of the few species that can survive on lava). Timanfaya is currently the only ‘active’ volcano on the island, and you will see evidence of this at Islet Hilario where temperatures can exceed 600ºC at only 14 meters below ground.
You’ll be doing two fantastic walks in and around some of the largest volcanic craters in the park.
The volcanic eruptions of the Montañas del Fuego also had a big influence on agricultural production, particularly wine. Although wine production in the Canaries dates to the 15th Century, the volcanic eruptions of 1730 totally transformed the way that vines were cultivated.
What you’ll see today is unique to Lanzarote and demonstrates the adaptability of the people who live here. Although much of the land around Timanfaya is covered in 30-40 cm of volcanic ash, farmers have discovered that if you dig below this ash, the soil beneath is fertile. Also, this ash (known as picon) helps trap and retain moisture from the scarce rainfall, and regulates the temperature of the soil, helping the vines to flourish. It also serves as a barrier to prevent the growth of weeds around the vines.
The wine growers of La Geria produce a range of red, white, rose, and sparkling wines. The most well-known is Malvasía Volcánica white wine. 60% of wines with the Lanzarote Designation of Origin are of this variety.
This trip includes a visit to one of the best wineries in this region and a chance to learn more about the growing process and to taste some of the wines.

Categories

On this trip, you’ll explore the volcanoes and lava fields of Central Lanzarote and learn how this lunar-like landscape produces some incredible wines – and, of course, you’ll get to taste some!
The island of Lanzarote is a shield volcano, believed to be around 15 million years old, although much of the landscape that you’ll see today was formed during the volcanic eruptions in 1730. These eruptions lasted for six years, covering a third of the island in ash and lava, and increasing its land mass by several square miles. Around 100 years later, there were further eruptions (in 1824) which lasted only three months but created new volcanic craters.
Driving across the island from Arrecife, you’ll spend most of the day at the 50 square km Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, inside which are the chain of volcanoes that produced the largest eruptions in 1730 and are collectively known as the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains). This eerie moonscape has a weird beauty, the blackness of the rocks contrasting with the green and orange lichen (one of the few species that can survive on lava). Timanfaya is currently the only ‘active’ volcano on the island, and you will see evidence of this at Islet Hilario where temperatures can exceed 600ºC at only 14 meters below ground.
You’ll be doing two fantastic walks in and around some of the largest volcanic craters in the park.
The volcanic eruptions of the Montañas del Fuego also had a big influence on agricultural production, particularly wine. Although wine production in the Canaries dates to the 15th Century, the volcanic eruptions of 1730 totally transformed the way that vines were cultivated.
What you’ll see today is unique to Lanzarote and demonstrates the adaptability of the people who live here. Although much of the land around Timanfaya is covered in 30-40 cm of volcanic ash, farmers have discovered that if you dig below this ash, the soil beneath is fertile. Also, this ash (known as picon) helps trap and retain moisture from the scarce rainfall, and regulates the temperature of the soil, helping the vines to flourish. It also serves as a barrier to prevent the growth of weeds around the vines.
The wine growers of La Geria produce a range of red, white, rose, and sparkling wines. The most well-known is Malvasía Volcánica white wine. 60% of wines with the Lanzarote Designation of Origin are of this variety.
This trip includes a visit to one of the best wineries in this region and a chance to learn more about the growing process and to taste some of the wines.
Wendy Moore
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
  • Hike into the center of a large volcanic crater.
  • Watch geysers of boiling water ‘erupt’ from the ground.
  • Wander through vineyards in a lunar-like landscape.
  • Do a wine tasting and chocolate pairing.
8 Attractions to Visit

Day 1

32 km4 km

Walks and Wines

This morning will be spent in Timanfaya National Park, where you will hike around and into some of the largest craters on the island, before going on a bus tour around the lava fields. There is another volcano walk in the afternoon, followed by a visit to the La Geria region where you can see the vineyards and sample some of the wines.

Day Itinerary

09:005 min

Car Park

Parking
Open Details
This morning’s walk will take you to two incredible volcanoes; Caldera Blanca which is the largest crater on the island with a diameter of over a kilometre and its little sister, Caldereta, where you can actually go inside the crater. It’s a fairly level 10 km round trip, and well signposted. There is no shade though, so pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
The trail begins at the car park on the crater road. So leave your car here and let's go!
2.2 km30 min
Montaña Caldereta
09:4545 min

Montaña Caldereta

Volcano
Open Details
After walking for around half an hour, you’ll get to Montaña Caldereta, the smaller of the two volcanoes. It’s 324 metres high and around 300 metres in diameter. “Caldereta” means “cauldron”, referencing its oval shape. You can follow the path into the volcano through the side that has eroded. At one time, farmers used this land for livestock and agriculture, as the caldera provided a good windbreak and rainwater conservation.

Route on Map

Map preview
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