Visit the Timanfaya National Park – Lanzarote

The island of Lanzarote in the archipelago of the Canary Islands is the second place to visit and get to know, according to the preferences of tourists and visitors.

This island is the easternmost of the archipelago and has great natural beauties, such as Playa Blanca, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and of course the Timanfaya National Park.

Timanfaya is a landscape of recent formation, only about 300 years old.

By the 1st of September 1730, in the night, the earth opened up and from its entrails a mountain emerged from which gigantic flames burst forth and burned fiercely causing devastation; the activity of the volcano continued from that year until 1736.

After almost a century, in July 1824, there was a new volcanic eruption, of lesser intensity than the one that occurred in 1730.

Visiting the park, what to do?

Timanfaya National Park is the only one in the entire Spanish geographic space with a geological site specification.

It lacks vegetation, the texture of the elements is mostly full of roughness, the peculiar palette of colours, the visible silhouette of the volcanoes and the rugged coastline, give Timanfaya a unique and incomparable beauty.

The park offers facilities that can be visited, which we will now take a look at.

Panoramic view of Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote, Canary Islands | Source: https://termo2020.ulpgc.es/

Visitors Centre

Before starting any walk, it is advisable to visit the Visitor Centre, located in Mancha Blanca; in this centre, free of charge and with the use of exhibition strategies and audiovisual media, the visitor is presented with a complete and detailed vision of what the park contains.

It is important to point out that the centre is adapted for people with reduced mobility and has a shop and bookshop.

Entrance to the visitor centre of the Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote, Canary Islands | Source: https://auszeit-lanzarote.com/

Fire Mountains

On arriving at the Fire Mountains, visitors will be immersed in the volcanic world; this area is reached via the Taro de Entrada, road LZ-67, where the entrance fee is paid, which includes parking, geothermal demonstrations and the bus ride along the Route of the Volcanoes.

The area has the following services:

• Cafeteria-Restaurant El Diablo
• Shop
• Bus tour, included in the entrance fee.
• Free Wifi
• Parking

Exterior of the restaurant “El Diablo“, Lanzarote | Source: https://www.ilanzarote.net/

Echadero de Camellos

Following the route along the LZ-67 road, towards Yaiza, you will find the Echadero de Camellos, where you can go on camel rides.

The place has a Museum-Information Point with an exhibition on the National Park, the traditional use of camels and farming equipment.

The camel ride costs 12 euros for two people.

Tourist route with camels in Lanzarote, Echadero de Camellos | Source: https://www.fuenterrebollo.com/

Requested by Pie

In Timanfaya you can go on hiking or walking routes, as detailed below.

• Tremesana Route: guided walking tour, approximately 2 kilometres; reservations must be made in advance at the Mancha Blanca Visitor Centre. Telephone +34928849839.
• Ruta del Litoral: This route can be guided by reservation or taken freely; it is a path parallel to the coast.

Tips when going to Timanfaya

1. Peace and respect for the environment in the park must be maintained; this means not disturbing the animals, uprooting plants or taking minerals, rocks or any other natural element from the site.
2. No rubbish may be thrown on park grounds; all rubbish must be collected and removed from the site by those in charge.
3. Cars are not allowed to drive on the asphalted areas open to the public; walking on pyroclastic material or lava is not allowed either.
4. It is the responsibility of all visitors to preserve and maintain this special place.

How to get to Timanfaya

The most comfortable way to visit Timanfaya is by car, but it is always possible to take one of the excursions that go to the park, picking you up at your hotel or even in Fuerteventura.

Another option is to get to Yaiza by bus and then hire a taxi to Timanfaya; this can be inconvenient on the way back.

By car, you drive along the LZ-67 to the Visitor Centre; from there you go to the car parks where you can leave your car.

Activities you can do when you leave Timanfaya

After visiting the Timanfaya National Park, you can choose one of the many activities you can do in Lanzarote.

If you like water sports and you know how to surf, you can go to the cove of Famara to practice a bit of authentic surfing in Famara Lanzarote.

If you are interested in this sport, there in Famara you can take lessons to learn how to surf; the Calima Surf School offers classes from basic to advanced levels.

If surfing is your favourite sport, don’t miss the opportunity to practice it and improve your techniques, while on holiday in Lanzarote go and enjoy the best surf camp in Lanzarote and if you are passionate about kitesurfing, you can also sign up for the kite camp in Lanzarote which is held throughout the season at its surf school.