9 Activities
Volcanoes and Dunes: The Changing Landscape of North Fuerteventura
Starts from
Puerto del Rosario
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
12 hours
Length
43 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Puerto del Rosario
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
12 hours
Length
43 mi
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Explore Corralejo's magnificant Sahara-like dunes.
- Climb to the top of a volcano and peer inside the crater.
- Take a dip in a crystal-clear turquoise sea.
- Stroll along cliff paths and admire the stunning vistas.
This day trip will take you beyond the tourist resorts and introduce you to some of the wonderful landscapes in the North of the island. Like many of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura's natural landscape is pock-marked with its volcanic past. The line of volcanoes that you can see from the air on the North of the island emerged around 50,000 years ago, creating the neighboring island of Lobos. Walking around these calderas is a bit like walking on the moon.
In contrast, on the coast nearby are the largest and most beautiful sand dunes in the Canaries, stretching over 10 km down the coast, and framing a gorgeous turquoise sea. This is a wonderful to appreciate the remarkable biodiversity that these dunes support.
Moving across to the North and North West coastline, the landscape changes again. The beaches are still covered in fine, white sand, and the water remains crystal clear but parts of the shoreline are now dominated by high cliffs and black rocks form natural tidal pools.
To really appreciate the natural beauty of this part of the island, this trip includes a range of different walks, as well as a lovely drive across the island. Along the way, there's a great beach bar to stop for lunch and a traditional tapas bar for dinner.
In contrast, on the coast nearby are the largest and most beautiful sand dunes in the Canaries, stretching over 10 km down the coast, and framing a gorgeous turquoise sea. This is a wonderful to appreciate the remarkable biodiversity that these dunes support.
Moving across to the North and North West coastline, the landscape changes again. The beaches are still covered in fine, white sand, and the water remains crystal clear but parts of the shoreline are now dominated by high cliffs and black rocks form natural tidal pools.
To really appreciate the natural beauty of this part of the island, this trip includes a range of different walks, as well as a lovely drive across the island. Along the way, there's a great beach bar to stop for lunch and a traditional tapas bar for dinner.
Categories
This day trip will take you beyond the tourist resorts and introduce you to some of the wonderful landscapes in the North of the island. Like many of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura's natural landscape is pock-marked with its volcanic past. The line of volcanoes that you can see from the air on the North of the island emerged around 50,000 years ago, creating the neighboring island of Lobos. Walking around these calderas is a bit like walking on the moon.
In contrast, on the coast nearby are the largest and most beautiful sand dunes in the Canaries, stretching over 10 km down the coast, and framing a gorgeous turquoise sea. This is a wonderful to appreciate the remarkable biodiversity that these dunes support.
Moving across to the North and North West coastline, the landscape changes again. The beaches are still covered in fine, white sand, and the water remains crystal clear but parts of the shoreline are now dominated by high cliffs and black rocks form natural tidal pools.
To really appreciate the natural beauty of this part of the island, this trip includes a range of different walks, as well as a lovely drive across the island. Along the way, there's a great beach bar to stop for lunch and a traditional tapas bar for dinner.
In contrast, on the coast nearby are the largest and most beautiful sand dunes in the Canaries, stretching over 10 km down the coast, and framing a gorgeous turquoise sea. This is a wonderful to appreciate the remarkable biodiversity that these dunes support.
Moving across to the North and North West coastline, the landscape changes again. The beaches are still covered in fine, white sand, and the water remains crystal clear but parts of the shoreline are now dominated by high cliffs and black rocks form natural tidal pools.
To really appreciate the natural beauty of this part of the island, this trip includes a range of different walks, as well as a lovely drive across the island. Along the way, there's a great beach bar to stop for lunch and a traditional tapas bar for dinner.
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Explore Corralejo's magnificant Sahara-like dunes.
- Climb to the top of a volcano and peer inside the crater.
- Take a dip in a crystal-clear turquoise sea.
- Stroll along cliff paths and admire the stunning vistas.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
43 mi4 mi
Coast to Coast
You will start today with a stunning walk to the summit of one of the island's calderas, from where you can peer into the center of this 'extinct' volcano, before heading to the coast to explore the magnificent sand dunes. After lunch on the beach, you'll drive to a headland in the north for a lovely nature walk and swim, followed by an early evening stroll along the cliffs around El Cotillo. There's still time for supper in Corralejo's old town before heading back home.
09:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
This is a lovely walk to Calderón Hondo. Leave your car in this car park, then follow the gravel path, which takes you on a steady gradient up towards the crater.
1.3 mi
30 min
09:451 hr 30 min
Calderón Hondo
Volcano
Open Details
Looking back, the views across Lajares are beautiful. As the path starts to climb more steeply to the summit, the surface gets rockier, but it’s still fairly easy to walk on and the spectacular views towards Corralejo and the sand dunes start to open up.
The last part of the track is quite steep, but it is relatively short, and it’s worth it to reach the summit so that you can peer into the depths of the Calderón. From here you can walk further around the edge of the crater, or re-trace your steps back to the car. The total distance is 4.9 km with an elevation of 128 m.
The last part of the track is quite steep, but it is relatively short, and it’s worth it to reach the summit so that you can peer into the depths of the Calderón. From here you can walk further around the edge of the crater, or re-trace your steps back to the car. The total distance is 4.9 km with an elevation of 128 m.
7.2 mi
25 min
12:001 hr
Banana Beach Club
Restaurant
Open Details
The sand dunes to the south of Corralejo are picture-postcard beautiful, and an Instagrammer’s dream, as is the gorgeous white sand beach that stretches for miles.
Grab some lunch at this hip beach bar, and watch the kite surfers, before walking south along the beach towards the dunes.
Grab some lunch at this hip beach bar, and watch the kite surfers, before walking south along the beach towards the dunes.
1.6 mi
30 min
13:301 hr
Corralejo Natural Park
Nature Preserve
Open Details
This whole area is a designated protected area, under the title Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park, established in 1994. The dunes are the largest in the Canaries and stretch 10 km along the coast, with a width of 2.5 km. The height of the dunes vary and can reach heights of over 50 m above sea level.
As you walk along the edge of the dunes, look out for rabbits, squirrels, and even goats! And up above kestrels, stone-curlews, and the great bustard, as well as other birds; the dunes are a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’.
Beautiful as the dunes are, make sure you allow enough time for a quick dip in the crystal clear turquoise sea before heading back to the car.
As you walk along the edge of the dunes, look out for rabbits, squirrels, and even goats! And up above kestrels, stone-curlews, and the great bustard, as well as other birds; the dunes are a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’.
Beautiful as the dunes are, make sure you allow enough time for a quick dip in the crystal clear turquoise sea before heading back to the car.
18.7 mi
40 min
15:151 hr 30 min
El Tostón Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Open Details
El Tostón is a red and white candy-striped working lighthouse that towers 30 m above the cliffs. Its light flashes every 8 seconds and can be seen by boats from 14 nautical miles. Inside, there is a small but interesting museum about the island’s traditional fishing practices, and you can also climb to the top of the tower for incredible views of the coastline.
Outside, you can follow a 1 km self-guided walk which circles the lighthouse, accompanied by information boards about the geology and wildlife of this headland.
At the bottom of the headland is the wonderful Caleta del Marrajo where you can take a refreshing dip in the sea. The water is calm and clear, the sand is fine and white and, best of all, there’s plenty of space to find yourself a quiet spot to lie in the sun.
Outside, you can follow a 1 km self-guided walk which circles the lighthouse, accompanied by information boards about the geology and wildlife of this headland.
At the bottom of the headland is the wonderful Caleta del Marrajo where you can take a refreshing dip in the sea. The water is calm and clear, the sand is fine and white and, best of all, there’s plenty of space to find yourself a quiet spot to lie in the sun.
3.5 mi
15 min
17:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
El Cotillo is a small fishing town perched on magnificent cliffs overlooking the wild shores of the West Coast and is a very popular hangout for surfers. It’s also a lovely spot for a late afternoon walk. Leave your car in this car park and head straight to the beach.
0.7 mi
15 min
17:301 hr
El Castillo Beach
Beach
Open Details
From the whale skeleton sculpture, follow the trail south along the cliff path. As you get closer to Playa del Castillo, the cliffs get smaller and the road leads down to the beach. You can stop here or continue on to Piedra Playa, an equally lovely beach, before re-tracing your steps back to El Cotillo.
13.7 mi
30 min
19:005 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Park here near the harbour for easy access to Corralejo old town.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:152 hrs
Tapas Oscar
Tapas Restaurant
Open Details
Tapas Oscar is one of the nicest tapas restaurants in town. The menu is inventive, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is welcoming.
After dinner, it's time to head back home. Today's trip has taken you to a diversity of landscapes; from volcanic craters and Sahara-like dunes to rocky beaches with turquoise water. Hopefully, it will have given you a real insight into the beauty of the island.
After dinner, it's time to head back home. Today's trip has taken you to a diversity of landscapes; from volcanic craters and Sahara-like dunes to rocky beaches with turquoise water. Hopefully, it will have given you a real insight into the beauty of the island.