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La Palma's Volcanic Trails

Through the heart of La Isla Bonita
 

Explore La Palma – most South American of all the Canary Islands – as you walk self-guided, with luggage transported, through its dramatic landscapes. Enjoy the architectural splendour of its capital, the volcanic craters and expansive lava fields at its southern tip, and the heart-squeezing beauty of the Caldera de Taburiente.

La Palma's Volcanic Trails. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
La Palma's Volcanic Trails. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on La Palma

Steepest island on the planet, and most water-rich of all the Canary Islands, heart-shaped La Palma has managed to keep herself below the radar of mass tourism, retaining her strong culture and traditions, and saving her breathtaking landscapes for those who are willing to put in the effort to uncover them.

This journey of discovery begins in the capital of Santa Cruz de La Palma where colonial balconies spill bougainvillea cascades above the boutiques and pavement cafés that line the streets, so redolent of Havana.
Flower-lined lanes and pine-clad mountains lead to the southern tip where the volcanic debris of the Teneguía eruption provides stark contrast to the powder pink of its salt pans and the blazing gold of its nightly sunsets. Through lava fields and pine forest, you follow the contours of the island, taking in the landscapes reformed by the 2021 eruption, where La Palma’s newest volcano looms large. Your final journey then takes you onwards across expansive lava fields to Los Llanos de Aridane, set on the cusp of the magnificent Caldera de Taburiente which provides the dramatic finale to your holiday.
 

A unique experience

Not many destinations boast natural attractions that didn't exist before 2020, but La Palma can. The eruption of 2021 created a new volcano whose black cone and surrounding lava fields contrast sharply with the great swathes of lush, green landscape that remained untouched by the eruption. Los Palmeros – who see tourism as the key to their full economic recovery – are keen, now that damaged infrastructure has been rebuilt, to welcome visitors to their island once again. A holiday here promises a unique experience and an insight into the power and splendour of the eruptive forces of nature.

Read full article >
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. It's up to you whether you follow our suggested routes for non-itinerant days or simply relax at your hotel.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    Cloud cover comes and goes very quickly over the island, so days may start off cloudy then give way to sunshine, and vice versa. However, this rarely has much impact on temperatures.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 16 16 17 17 19 21 23 24 23 22 19 17
    mm 78 64 49 31 12 5 1 3 16 49 84 86
  • Arrival in Santa Cruz de La Palma
    Night 1: at Hotel San Telmo or Banana Garden (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks from Santa Cruz: 2.5km or 7.5km
    Choose from two short – and very different – walks, or simply combine them for the best of both worlds.

    Circular walk via Los Molinos: 7.5km, 3hrs
    Follow a ridge trail that links a series of 19th-century water mills to reach the Barranco de Las Nieves and the Santuario de Las Nieves, home to the iconic Patron Saint of the island.

    Town Trail – Santa Cruz de La Palma: 2.5km, 1-2hrs
    A delightful blend of colonial architecture and South American culture, centuries-old traditions and contemporary artistic style flourish in this unassuming capital. Our town trail highlights the best bits and recommends places to enjoy a barraquito coffee and the pick of the town's burgeoning gastronomic scene.
    The beautiful balconies of Santa Cruz
    Circular walk via Los Molinos: 7.5km
  • Santa Cruz to Las Indias: 17.5km, 6.5hrs
    After a taxi transfer to the traditional town of Vila de Mazo, you follow country lanes lined with attractive hedgerows of wild flowers, and with panoramic views across the east coast, before climbing into the tranquil pine forest. Traversing high above the island’s southern tip, you descend into the small hamlet of Las Indias, set alongside Volcán de San Antonio, where your next two nights are spent at the superb Anamcara Suites.
    Heading south from Santa Cruz
    Santa Cruz to Las Indias: 17.5km
  • Circular walk via Volcán de San Antonio: 10.5km, 3.5hrs; shorter option: 9.5km, 3hrs
    This route takes you from the doorstep of your accommodation via the Volcán de San Antonio Visitor Centre and the Ruta de Los Volcanes to Fuencaliente’s salt pans and lighthouse – located on land formed during the Teneguía eruption of 1971. Here, the Jardin de Sal restaurant overlooking the salt pans provides the perfect lunch spot before catching the bus back to Las Indias.

    For a shorter walk, after visiting the Volcán de San Antonio Visitor Centre you can return to Las Indias via the rock carvings on Roque Teneguía, along a path through the Llanos Negros vineyards set into the volcanic terrain.
    Following the Ruta de Los Volcanes
    Fuencaliente's salt pans
    Circular walk via Volcán de San Antonio: 10.5km
    Shorter option: 9.5km
  • Las Indias to Los Llanos de Aridane: 16km, 5.5hrs
    Leaving Las Indias, you ascend steadily to the interior of the island to then pick up a path that weaves through pine forest and vineyards to reach La Palma’s east flank. A descent towards the coast is followed by a stretch across lava fields formed during the eruptions of 1712 and 1949, before you arrive in Las Manchas – a village overlooked by the island’s newest volcano. From Las Manchas, a taxi transfer takes you across the 2021 lava fields – allowing you to witness the devastation at close quarters – and into Los Llanos de Aridane to spend your final nights at the welcoming Hotel Benahoare.
    To Las Manchas
    Las Indias to Los Llanos de Aridane: 16km
  • Choice of walks from Los Llanos: 6km to 14.5km
    Los Llanos is poised on the cusp of the Caldera de Taburiente, and is known as La Palma's 'secret capital' with its cobbled streets, pavement cafés and leafy plazas. We offer three enticing self-guided walking options for your final two days, or you can join a guided walk near the new volcano (see below).

    Caldera de Taburiente: 12.5km, 5hrs
    This is arguably the most spectacular walk on La Palma, and one of the finest in the whole Canaries archipelago. After taking a taxi into the caldera and then a shared taxi to Mirador de Los Brecitos, you begin your descent into one of the world's largest erosion craters through fragrant pine forest, while surrounded by jagged peaks rising 1,000 metres from the valley floor. Reaching the so-called 'Playa de Taburiente' where a stream runs through the valley, you descend below the emblematic Roque Idafe, detouring to the ‘rainbow waterfall’, Cascada de Colores, before following the ravine back to the car park and taking a taxi home. (Note, taxi journeys are not included – pay locally.)

    Puerto de Tazacorte: 6km, 2hrs
    After a week of challenging walking, you may wish to reward yourself with this easy route from the door of your hotel, taking you through a pretty town park and then alongside extensive covered banana plantations to reach the traditional town of Tazacorte. Walking through its old quarter, where you might like to stop for a coffee while enjoying coastal views, you then descend to the small, black-sand beach and port of Puerto de Tazacorte where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the beachside restaurants before catching the bus (pay locally) back to Los Llanos.
     
    Pico Bejenado: 14.5km, 6hrs
    For those who want to experience one more spectacular walk on La Palma, Pico Bejenado is the most wondrous of the peaks that surround Caldera de Taburiente. Eroded to 500 metres on all sides, it stands in glorious isolation and provides a truly breathtaking 360-degree panorama over the caldera on one side and the Valle de Aridane on the other – a fitting reward for a challenging, unremitting climb.
    The Caldera de Taburiente
    Caldera de Taburiente: 12.5km
    Puerto de Tazacorte: 6km
    Pico Bejenado: 14.5km
  • Pre-book through Inntravel

    As an alternative to the walks from Los Llanos suggested above, you have a unique opportunity to visit the island’s newest volcano. The area around the volcano is restricted, and only accessible with a guide, but we can organise a short, escorted walk (5km; 2 to 2.5 hours) with Islabonita Tours.

    Your English-speaking guide will provide fascinating insights into the 2021 eruption as you walk with other visitors to vantage points affording amazing views into the crater and over the extensive lava flows of the Aridane Valley.

    See the Pricing section for prices.
 

Accommodation

From boutique town centre hotels to luxurious apartments with vast ocean views, the accommodation on this holiday is as diverse and welcoming as La Palma’s breathtaking landscape.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.

Wherever you stay in Santa Cruz, we recommend adding extra nights to give yourselves more time to explore this alluring island capital.
 

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.
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  • 7 nights: 01 January 2024 - 30 June 2024, 01 September 2024 - 30 June 2025 & 01 September 2025 - 07 January 2026

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

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Jan 2024 £1275 £440
    1 Feb - 13 Apr 2024 £1310 £445
    14 Apr - 23 Jun 2024 £1260 £435
    1 Sep - 31 Oct 2024 £1310 £445
    1 Nov - 31 Dec 2024 £1275 £440
    1 - 30 Jan 2025 £1330 £460
    1 Feb - 13 Apr 2025 £1365 £465
    14 Apr - 23 Jun 2025 £1315 £455
    1 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 £1365 £465
    1 Nov - 31 Dec 2025 £1330 £460
    3rd & 4th person discount -£85 to -£88
    Single traveller supplement £85 to £88

    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.

    Included travel: return domestic flight between Tenerife North and La Palma and the direct taxi transfer between La Palma airport and the first and final hotel.
    Alternative travel: if flying directly to/from La Palma, a reduction applies. See 'Connecting travel' for more details.

    Add £30pp for a guided tour of La Palma's newest volcano. The tour runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 1030 and is subject to availability and the weather.

    No double rooms available at Hotel San Telmo or Hotel Benahoare

    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.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Anamcara Suites, Las Indias
    Suite with two rooms: 01 Jan - 30 Jun 2024 £23
    Suite with two rooms: 01 Sep - 31 Dec 2024 £23
    Suite with two rooms: 01 Jan - 30 Jun 2025 £24
    Suite with two rooms: 01 Sep - 07 Jan 2026 £24

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

    Hotel San Telmo, Santa Cruz de La Palma (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Jan - 30 Jun 2024 £78 £123
    01 Sep - 31 Dec 2024 £78 £123
    01 Jan - 30 Jun 2025 £81 £128
    01 Sep - 07 Jan 2026 £81 £128
    Benahoare Hotel, Los Llanos de Aridane (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Jan - 30 Jun 2024 £78 £123
    01 Sep - 31 Dec 2024 £78 £123
    01 Jan - 30 Jun 2025 £81 £128
    01 Sep - 07 Jan 2026 £81 £128
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Tenerife South or La Palma (direct flights to La Palma infrequent; travel via Tenerife recommended)

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly via 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
    Aberdeen - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Belfast Intl. - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) easyJet,  jet2 
    Belfast Intl. - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Cardiff - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Exeter - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) jet2,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - La Palma TUI 
    Gatwick - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) British Airways,  easyJet,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - La Palma (via Madrid) British Airways,  Iberia 
    Heathrow - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) easyJet,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - La Palma TUI 
    Manchester - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Tenerife Reina Sofia (South) TUI 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly via 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. 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.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    If purchasing outward connecting travel through Inntravel, the homeward travel is at no extra cost.

    Connecting travel options - flying via La Palma

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    taxi La Palma airport to hotel (0h15) £74-£77 reduction flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to La Palma airport (0h45) £74-£77 reduction flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Tenerife North

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    Binter flight Tenerife North to La Palma (1h check-in + 0h30 flight), taxi La Palma airport to hotel (0h15) included 1800
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to La Palma airport (0h45 + 1h check in), Binter flight La Palma to Tenerife North (0h30) included 1200
What's included
  • 7 nights
  • 2 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfers on Days 2 & 4
  • return flights between Tenerife North and La Palma
  • taxi between La Palma airport and first/last hotels
 
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 4 reviews
  • Ms M Wood
    Cambridge
    14 March 2024

    La Palma is a beautiful island with a dramatic volcanic landscape that is full of contrasts. The holiday explores all of this very well. The hotels and apartment were small, comfortable and friendly and very well located with wonderful views. The walking routes were well defined and signposted, and extremely tranquil. There was always something of interest - beautiful never- ending views of the coast and turquoise sea, amazing exotic vegetation, different types of terrain and at times unbelievably steep slopes both up and down. The walks were satisfying and- in the heat of the day- quite challenging. Highlights of the holiday, in addition to the walks themselves, included the banana museum in Tazacorte and the guided visit with Isla Bonita Tours to the site of the 2021 volcano. Our guide had experienced the eruption directly, her former home now surrounded by enormous piles of lava. This walk began very dramatically in swirling mist which soon cleared to reveal fields of ash and the newly formed craters.

    In Los Llanos we highly recommend El Duende del Fuego for the excellent vegan choices on the menu and its lovely atmosphere. The Tasca La Luna was also good as was La Placeta in Santa Cruz. The two hotels both provided us with imaginative vegan breakfast.
    All in all it was an excellent holiday. As we also did the Inntravel walk to La Palma in 2018 it was particularly interesting to experience the changes brought about by the recent volcanic eruption. 

  • Anon
    11 January 2024

    We found walking on La Palma easier than on El Hierro and the length of the walks were about right. We really enjoyed our week away in La Palma, the scenery was lovely, the best part was the beautiful pine forests and our final walk on the Caldera de Taburiente was spectacular. 

  • Mrs J Robertson
    Didcot
    27 December 2023

    This was our first Inntravel holiday and we were very impressed. They did all the hard work for us - route planning, finding and booking the best accommodation, luggage transfer, detailed notes and recommendations - leaving us free to just enjoy the walking, warmth and variety of La Palma.

  • Kirsten, Portsmouth
    29 September 2023

    We loved this holiday and despite the unusual (very hot) weather, would recommend it 110%. Plus points was the island itself - still quiet, few English, friendly, lively in Santa Cruz and Los Llanos - and the opportunity to learn about the devastation which changed the island so drastically. We will be back to explore the many stunning paths we missed.
 

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.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. 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 >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • 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 incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), 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.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • 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 (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). 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.
  • 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.
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