Walk the Bonita Island of La Palma

Day 1: Arrive in La Palma

Arrive into La Palma and take an airport transfer to your hotel either in nearby Brena Baja, or in the capital Santa de la Cruz. Have a wander around the pretty town, which is famous for its iconic balconies and its lively cafe and restaurant scene.
Evening meal included

Day 2: Pico de la Nieve and de la Caldera de Taburiente 16km / 6 hrs

Take a taxi or public bus to Pista Pico de la Nieve to begin today's walk. The vast majority of the route is along a dramatic section of the GR131 red and white waymarked route along the rim of the crater Caldera de Taburiente, the largest water erosion crater in the world. You will walk in a north to south direction and the route is extremely windy. Enjoy spectacular views in fine weather as you see this famous crater surrounded by forests and deep ravines. Shorter circuit available.
Breakfast and evening meal included

Day 3: Ruta de los Volcanes 18km / 6.25 hrs

This is a very impressive walk from north to south of a string of volcanoes in the south of the island. Though long, and involving a substantial descent at the end, it is an extremely popular walk.
Breakfast and evening meal included

Day 4: Pista de los Lomos - El Pilar 15km / 4.15hrs

Though a fairly long walk, the first section is very straightforward along an almost level forest track through the dense laurisilva vegetation, commonly found at this altitude throughout the Canaries. In summer this will provide welcome shelter from the sun, in winter the mellow mists give the forest and eery, poetic quality. Upon reaching Pared Vieja an ancient partly cobbled Camino takes you up to the main Cumbre ridge, passing through the col at El Pilar, Then the whole nature of the walk changes as you descend steadily, through volcanic plains and magnificent pine forests to meet the main road near the Caldera visitor centre.
Breakfast and evening meal included

Day 5: Los Sauces, Mirador de las Barandas, Barlovento 12km / 4hrs

This walk covers an interesting variety of ground in the north-east corner of the island. A long steep climb from the village, culminating in a dramatic view into the Barranco del Agua, is followed by a descent into the depths of the dark and shady Barranco de Herradura, where a head for heights is necessary in order to ascend the steep and vertiginous path to the north.
Breakfast and evening meal included

Day 6: Bananas and Barrancos 12.5km / 5hrs

This is a circular walk of two halves; firstly from La Cuesta to Barlovento via the coast and the thousands of acres of banana plantations where you can observe at close quarters how these are cultivated. This is also the energetic half with a steep drop down to the coast and a stiff climb up to Barlovento. The second half is from Barlovento back to La Cuesta, encountering a succession of barrancos, with the change in vegetation making it completely different in character.
Breakfast and evening meal included

Day 7: Roque des Muchachos 12km / 4-6hrs

This spectacular walk starts at the highest point of the island, Roque des Muchachos (2426metres). You then have about 4kms of jaw-dropping scenery as you make your way firstly north east then east along the impressive rim of the caldera on the GR 131 to the Mirador de los Andenes. Here the walk picks up the path that descends due north to Roque del Faro at about 1000 metres. There is a long uninterrupted steep downhill section of about 6kms (poles recommended!) through a variety of climate/vegetation zones, a sight not to be missed.
Breakfast and evening meal included

Day 8: Departure

If you have time before your flight, take a small walk around Santa Cruz. This fascinating town attracted Flemish merchants who built imposing town palaces, which today accommodate museums and boutiques. A walk along the Calle Real, visiting the Plaza de España, Town Hall or the food market will be a perfect end to your La Palma experience before your flight home.
Breakfast included.