La Palma, a lush, mountainous island in the Western Canaries measuring the equivalent of just 24 miles square offers attractive opportunities for walkers. Its diversity of landscapes constantly changes as you gain height or vary direction. There are forests of pine laurel, eucalyptus and meadows strewn with colourful wildflowers. Farming remains the bedrock of the economy with a wealth of almond groves, tobacco fields, banana plantations and vineyards. In contrast the island also features extensive evidence of volcanic activity with much to explore on foot including the enormous crater of the Caldera de Taburiente in the awe-inspiring and scientifically important National Park. The densely forested northern coast features magnificently rugged sea cliffs and spectacular gorges. You can enjoy exploring the picturesque small towns and villages dotted along the coast and inland.
Classics include the volcano route with a succession of mostly historic volcanoes; and a fine walk circling the Caldera de Taburiente often on its very rim. There is a host of other interesting routes including a walk from Las Tricias through idyllic scenes in the northwest with a blend of exotic farms next to thousand-year-old dragon trees; a walk along the canal to the Marcos y Cordero springs involving use of tunnels and a spectacular walk on the 'roof of the island' from Pico de la Cruz (2351m) to the highest point on La Palma Roque de las Muchachos (2426m).
Please note routes may vary dependent on the recent volcanic activity on the island and so the itinerary is a suggestion of what is available.
Your base for the week is either the idyllic setting of the Parador de la Palma or the Hotel Las Olas. Breakfast and dinner are served in both for the whole week. If you choose the Hotel El Galeon then please note this is on a breakfast only basis.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
This single-centre holiday is based at the following hotel. If you'd like to extend your stay here, or upgrade your room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or email usa@exodustravels.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can continue to develop, and where necessary improve, our services and ensure our holidays continue to be the best they can be. However, as this is a relatively new holiday, we don't yet have any customer reviews available.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Single-centre accommodation in and hotels
All breakfasts - half board as an option
Route directions and maps
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the 'check availability' links below to complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the 'Check availability' links below to complete our holiday enquiry form.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts - half board as an option
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Check availability' button above to complete our holiday enquiry form, we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you.
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the 'Check availability' links above to complete our holiday enquiry form.