Ratgeber
Hiking on La Palma: routes and best time to go
La Palma suits hiking from spring to autumn, with spring and autumn usually the most pleasant. You will find volcano routes, laurel forests and crater rim, often with steep ascents and descents. Adventure is a Swiss travel agency offering advice by video call.
Von Adventure, Stand
Schritt für Schritt
- Choose your travel time according to temperature and weather.
- Decide whether you want day walks from one base or a multi-day tour.
- Check the difficulty and ascent of each stage.
- Reserve accommodation and a hire car early.
- Check the weather and trail conditions on the spot before the walk.
Checkliste
- Sturdy shoes with a tread for lava rock
- Walking poles for long descents
- Sun protection and headwear
- Rain jacket, because the weather changes quickly
- Warm layer for summits and the crater rim
- Enough water and food
- Offline map or route description
La Palma is regarded as one of the greenest Canary Islands and as a destination for hikers. Over a small area, volcanic landscape, coastal paths and damp forest alternate. The journey is short, and the trails are mostly well marked. This guide shows which walks there are, when the trip is worthwhile and what to watch for regarding weather and difficulty. If you choose your travel time and stages carefully, you will experience the island at its best.
Landscapes and routes at a glance
On the island you will find very different walks. In the south, paths lead over volcanoes and black lava fields, in the north through laurel forests and gorges. The crater rim of the Caldera de Taburiente offers wide views.
A well-known long-distance trail leads over the volcanoes of the south and on through the island. It can be walked in several day stages. Check the length, ascent and accommodation beforehand.
Many trails are steep, and descents on lava rock strain knees and soles. Poles and sturdy shoes are worthwhile. The differences in height are large, because the island rises steeply from the coast. Plan long descents and ascents with realistic walking times. The national park around the Caldera de Taburiente sometimes requires registration or has access rules. Check the current requirements on the spot beforehand.
Best time to go
Spring and autumn usually offer pleasant temperatures and stable weather. In high summer it can get very warm on the sunny southern routes. In winter walking is possible, but rain and wind increase.
The island has strong differences in height, and the weather changes quickly. On one day it can be sunny on the coast and cool up in the sea of clouds. Early in the morning a sea of clouds often appears, which clears during the day. If you start early, you experience views that later vanish in the haze. Temperatures differ greatly between the coast and the high ground. A warm layer therefore belongs in your luggage even in summer.
Difficulty and planning
The walks range from easy strolls to demanding day tours with a lot of ascent. Check the walking time, ascent and condition of the path before you set off.
With a hire car, starting points can be reached flexibly. Public connections are limited, especially for trails that end in a different place.
Stargazing is also popular on La Palma, because the sky can be very clear at night. Before every walk, find out about the exact walking time, the condition of the path and possible exits. That way you adapt the tour to the day.
Safety and conduct
Find out on the spot about current trail closures and weather warnings. The island has seen volcanic activity in the past, and individual areas may be closed.
Respect nature, stay on marked trails and take your rubbish with you. Take sun protection even under cloudy skies, because the radiation on the island is strong, especially at higher elevations. Take enough water, because on many routes there are no springs. In the heat you need more than you expect, even on short trails.
Putting the trip together
We put your hiking trip together according to fitness, time and wishes, from one base with day walks to a stage-by-stage trip. You will find more on the destination under [La Palma](/m/adventure/planen).
In a video call we clarify the journey, accommodation and stages with you. The planning is flexible enough to be adjusted to the weather. Walks on volcanic ground combine well with rest days by the sea. That keeps the trip balanced and restful.
Choosing accommodation and a base
On La Palma you can choose between a fixed base with day trips and a trip with changing accommodation. A fixed base saves moving luggage, and you choose the walk according to the weather.
Because of the island's variety, a base in the north or south can offer different possibilities. Discuss with us which area suits your needs.
Also plan a quiet day. The island invites strolls, coastal villages and starry skies, and walks with long descents are demanding.
