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Ancient Fuerteventura

The original Canary Island
 
Just 62 miles off Morocco, Fuerteventura boasts starkly beautiful, desert-like scenery. This self-guided, single-centre walking holiday offers a choice of fascinating routes across the island, revealing its rich history and culture, and unique flora and fauna.
Ancient Fuerteventura. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Ancient Fuerteventura. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on Fuerteventura

Famed for its expansive, windswept sand dunes and starkly beautiful rolling desert landscapes of burnt amber, the dramatic island of Fuerteventura is the oldest of the Canary Islands. It floats just 62 miles off the coast of Morocco, giving it a far more African feel than the rest of the archipelago – and therein lies its beguiling charm. Indeed, it is the proximity to the Sahara that gives Fuerteventura its special character.

The island is often referred to as the island of eternal spring, as the hot winds blowing in off the desert are cooled by the sea, keeping the island pleasingly warm and dry all-year round.
Unlike the western Canary Islands, you will find no laurisilva here, no deep ravines – instead there are miles of empty rolling hills and silent valleys that are home to a unique flora and fauna, including inquisitive Barbary squirrels, varied birdlife, and myriad lizards and skinks. 20 million years ago, this is where the Canarian Archipelago began. Such is the tranquillity of the island's less populous interior, where rural tourism is still relatively under-developed, you will almost feel like 'pioneers' venturing into a little-known land.
 

Book with confidence

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >
Our flexible booking policies >
Check the destination entry requirements >
 
Gallery
 

Walking & more

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of our suggested walking routes as the mood takes you.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is February to April.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 27 25 23 20
    mm 24 21 14 7 2 0 0 0 3 6 16 24
  • Choice of routes: 5km to 9km

    Montaña Arena: 9km, 3hrs
    From La Oliva you head out into the heart of the distinctive landscapes of Montaña Arena where the white, wind-borne sands contrast sharply with the black, eruptive lava from the volcano. As well as being greeted by splendid views over the dunes of Corralejo and the island of Lanzarote beyond, you are likely to meet the ubiquitous Barbary squirrel.

    Lajares to Calderón Hondo: 5km, 2hrs
    Trails circumnavigate Montaña Colorada and Calderón Hondo, home to cheeky and perpetually peckish Barbary squirrels.

    Isla de los Lobos: 8km, 3hrs
    Take the boat from Corralejo to explore the fascinating nature reserve on the small island of Los Lobos, 'Wolf Island'. Discover the tiny settlement of El Puertito, and the lighthouse with its splendid views to Playa Blanca on Lanzarote. Spend time on the beach, swimming and relaxing, before catching the boat back.

    Barranco de los Molinos: 5.5km, 2hrs
    Starting from a secluded beach, head into the fertile Barranco de Los Molinos where a stream permanently flows, creating a carpet of rich flora. See goats grazing the rich pickings of salt marsh plants on the ravine floor and clinging to the cliff sides with gravity-defying ease while overhead, ravens and the occasional Egyptian vulture (if you're lucky enough) soar.

    Cliffs & palm groves of Ajuy: 8km, 3hrs
    Starting and ending at the small coastal village of Ajuy, the oldest part of Fuerteventura, this walk takes in a beautiful flower-strewn ravine, a cliff-top walk to a secluded beach, and some impressive caves which stretch deep into the cliffs from the sea.
    Lajares to Calderón Hondo
    Montaña Arena: 9km
    Lajares to Calderón Hondo: 5km
    Isla de los Lobos: 8km
    Barranco de los Molinos: 5.5km
    Cliffs and palm groves of Ajuy: 8km
  • Choice of routes: 11km or 19km

    La Oliva to El Cotillo: 19km, 6.5hrs
    Follow a twisting linear route through the wide canyon river bed of the Barranco Esquinzo towards the distinctive outline of the sacred Montaña Tindaya, before reaching the pretty cove of Playa Esquinzo. Keep an eye out for hoopoe, curlew, kestrel, plover and sandgrouse before walking along the impressive cliffs into the lively harbour of El Cotillo. Return to La Oliva by bus (pay locally).

    Llanos de la Concepción: 11km, 4hrs
    From the hamlet of Los Llanos de la Concepción, you walk to the largest body of water on Fuerteventura, which attracts a wide variety of bird life, including noisy African shellducks, little egret, grey heron, kestrel, plover and teal. You may even be lucky enough to catch sight of an Egyptian vulture soaring above this tranquil landscape.
    Llanos de la Concepción goat herd
    La Oliva to El Cotillo: 19km
    Llanos de la Concepción: 11km
  • Choice of routes: 7km or 13km

    In and around Betancuria: 7km, 3hrs
    This circular route around the former capital of Betancuria begins with a climb to a viewpoint dominated by the two imposing statues of the Mahoh kings who ruled the islands before the Spanish conquest. You then walk on to a viewpoint which commands vistas across the volcanic landscapes of fiery African soil stretching all the way to the coast. You return to the town in time for lunch along a path lined by agave plants. 

    To the Ermita: 13km, 5hrs
    From Betancuria, this fabulous walk takes you out into almost Biblical landscapes of ridges and dramatic ravines to reach the beautiful Ermita de Las Peñitas – a tiny, white chapel tucked into the rock face – a real 'wow' discovery. You catch the bus back to town.
    Around Betancuria and town
    In and around Betancuria: 7km
    To the Ermita: 13km
  • Explore by car
    The island as a whole is relatively new to the idea of rural tourism and, after the coaches have gone, you will often have the cobbled streets to yourselves. We therefore recommend that you make the most of your hire car, particularly around the island's more developed coastline.

    We provide directions for a trip to the south to visit the glistening salt pans at Las Salinas and to the clifftop lighthouse at Entallada, the closest point to Africa. Explore the immense sand dunes of the Parque Natural de Corralejo; visit Cotillo and its lighthouse, which is home to the island's Traditional Fishing Museum; or spend a day in the small capital, Puerto del Rosario, a friendly and authentic Canarian working town with pretty beaches, plenty of restaurants and an open-air art gallery with more than 100 sculptures adding a mix of whimsy and culture to the town's streets.
    La Entallada Lighthouse
 

Accommodation

We have found a delightful base for your week of walking.

Occasionally, due to availability, we may offer an alternative hotel, as shown below. You will be informed of any change to the usual hotel (along with any price implication) prior to us confirming your holiday to you. Whichever hotel you stay in, we thoroughly recommend extra nights on Fuerteventura to enjoy more walking.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
Currency converter

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  • 7 nights: 01 January 2022 - 31 May 2022 & 01 September 2022 - 31 December 2022

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 7 Jan 2022 £645 £210
    8 Jan - 23 Mar 2022 £575 £125
    24 Mar - 3 Apr 2022 £620 £170
    4 - 15 Apr 2022 £645 £210
    16 - 24 Apr 2022 £585 £125
    25 Apr - 24 May 2022 £560 £120
    1 Sep - 13 Nov 2022 £575 £125
    14 - 30 Nov 2022 £610 £165
    1 - 17 Dec 2022 £595 £160
    18 - 24 Dec 2022 £640 £200
    3rd & 4th person discount -£75
    Single traveller supplement £75

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 7 days' category C car hire (eg Opel Corsa or similar with manual transmission)
    NB Due to high demand car hire availability is limited, please call for details

    Driving time to/from the hotel: 0h40

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Rural Mahoh, Villaverde (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Jan - 09 Jan 2022 £64 £90
    10 Jan - 27 Mar 2022 £54 £70
    28 Mar - 07 Apr 2022 £60 £80
    08 Apr - 17 Apr 2022 £64 £90
    18 Apr - 31 May 2022 £54 £70
    01 Sep - 04 Sep 2022 £64 £90
    05 Sep - 17 Nov 2022 £54 £70
    18 Nov - 22 Dec 2022 £60 £80
    23 Dec - 31 Dec 2022 £64 £90
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Fuerteventura

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Fuerteventura easyJet,  jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Fuerteventura jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Fuerteventura easyJet,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Doncaster Sheffield - Fuerteventura Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Fuerteventura Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Fuerteventura jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Fuerteventura jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Fuerteventura Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Fuerteventura jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Fuerteventura easyJet,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Fuerteventura British Airways,  easyJet,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Fuerteventura Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Fuerteventura jet2,  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Fuerteventura jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Fuerteventura jet2 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above except those operated by Ryanair. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 breakfasts
    3 dinners
    3 picnics
  • route notes and maps
  • 7 days' category C car hire
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 8 reviews
  • Anon
    29 March 2022

    Recommendation: If you have a Garmin watch do get the GPX files - it makes such a difference.  Highlights: walking off the beaten track offered endless opportunities to see sights we'd have otherwise been unaware of.

  • Mr H Thuillier
    Emsworth
    21 February 2022

    We thoroughly enjoyed our Fuerteventura holiday, the country, the weather and the walks and drives. Meals were good almost everywhere and very reasonably priced. Make sure you book restaurants as they get very busy after 7:30pm. A beautiful country but you need to plan around the wind!

  • TicknellArt
    03 February 2022

    We enjoyed Fuerteventura very much. Casa Marcos is an excellent restaurant. We also tried The Blue Cow in El Cortillo for seafood and were not disappointed. You need to book for any popular restaurant and be aware of evenings that some restaurants are closed. It was a delight to walk on the island, we met several like minded people and also keen cyclists. Fuerteventura is not just an island of resorts and sun worshippers - if you can avoid these parts of the island, which we did, you are in for a lovely warm winter holiday with no jet lag.

  • Mr P Currie
    Haslemere
    14 February 2020

    The Hotel – we had a comfortable room (Fuerteventura) which included a balcony allowing one to sit and catch some sun when the wind wasn’t blowing. Regrettably the internal lighting was poor making reading something of a challenge. There was a material shortage of hot-water; a lukewarm shower after a day’s exertion is not acceptable. Breakfasts were fine. The staff were very hospitable and helpful not least in booking dinners and fixing the permits for our visit to Isla de Los Lobos.

    The Ambiance – this is an island of contrasts. On the one hand there are some stunning un-crowded beaches; on the other a monotonous barren volcanic landscape. Trees and greenery in very short supply. That said there was a certain attractiveness about the mountainous landscape.

    The Walks – we particularly enjoyed the walks proximate to the coast at Ajuy, Los Molinos and El Cotillo the coastline being continually pounded by large Atlantic waves the sight and sounds of which were captivating. Not on the Inntravel agenda was La Pared where we enjoyed a walk to the southwest along the very barren coastline.

    Driving – we made sure we took full advantage of the car exploring as much of the island as possible taking in the very barren interior and west coast to the over-developed and crowded resorts of Morro Jable, Costa Calma, El Castillo and Corralejo. The main roads are all in excellent condition and a welcome change from the pot-holed horrors of the UK. We greatly enjoyed the drive on the FV 605 from Costa Calma to Pajara – a drive through the mountains with some stunning views.

    Eating Out – the hotel restaurant was not operational for dinners requiring us to eat out. Fortunately close-by in Villaverde are 4 good ‘eateries’ viz:  El Mahoh, El Moral , El Horno and La Villa. All were good value but our favourite was La Villa which is a bit more up-market (and costly) where the fare was excellent and portions were sensible such that you did not feel bloated at the end of the meal. Pre-booking is essential at each of these restaurants.

  • Mr N Lake
    Taunton
    12 February 2020

    We loved the colours and beauty of the barren landscapes, which were a revelation to us.

  • Anon
    07 January 2020

    The hotel setting was very well chosen given the options on the island, we were concerned though that they might be going out of business the decision to not have the restaurant open in a place lacking restaurants was bizarre. The swimming pool unheated is a token gesture at this time of  the year.

  • Mr G Herman
    London
    10 November 2019

    The staff at the hotel were extremely helpful and pleasant.

  • J and R
    06 November 2019

    Restaurant recommendation - Gran Tarajal on the fishing port as you come from seafront (parking next to restaurant) is the Confederia de Pescadores, attached to the fisherman's cooperative, it's excellent with very fresh fish (and only fish) with good service. We did an addition to the Lajares to Calderon Hondo walk and did the rim of the caldera (very rocky/exposed in places, grade 3 for 200m max) but brilliant.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines (but not, currently, with Ryanair). As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to take out a policy with our recommended provider (if you live outside the UK you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    We'll ask you for the details of your policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Spain, but not a visa. If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • (Castilian) Spanish is one of several official languages; Catalan, Basque and Gallego have equal status in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, respectively. The currency is the Euro. Spanish time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.

    At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
Last fetch time is : 5/29/2022 4:20:49 AM