Caldera Blanca Hike – Lanzarote MUST DO

The Caldera Blanca hike is no doubt a must do activity in Lanzarote. It was one of my favourite things I did on my solo trip to this Canary Island. It really is a ‘wow‘!

Caldera Blanca is the biggest volcano in Lanzarote, in terms of crater size. It is situated in Parque Natural de Los Volcanes, lying just outside of the popular Timanfaya National Park. The Caldera Blanca hike allows you to experience Lanzarote in its true natural volcanic beauty, without the added costs or restrictions (doing a tour, or needing a car) of visiting Timanfaya. That’s not to say don’t go there too if you can – visiting both while in Lanzarote would be amazing (I wasn’t so lucky)!

Caldera Blanca is a welcome escape from the resort towns of the island. It is always good to mix those beach days with some hiking days! So lets take a closer look at this hike so I can hopefully inspire you to do it….

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How to get to the Caldera Blanca hike in Lanzarote?

This hike is easily accessible whether by public transport (bus) or by car, depending on how you are travelling around.

By bus:

• Take the bus to MANCHA BLANCA 
• Around a 30 minute bus ride from Arrecife
• Short walk to the start of the route from Mancha Blanca

NOTE: To reach Mancha Blanca you will likely need to take the bus from Arrecife, whether straight from there or connecting there. I do recommend staying in Arrecife thanks to the simplicity for travelling around the island from there (you can check out my post on accommodation here), but of course it depends on your plans for your overall time in Lanzarote.

Alternatively, there is also a direct bus from La Santa should you be in that area.

Booking.com

Be aware of bus times – the buses do not run so frequently. Keep this in mind especially for the way back.

By car:

• If travelling around by car of course it is easy to reach the walk wherever on the island you are coming from.
• Free car parking is available at the start of the walk – head to ‘Parking rando caldera Blanca’ on Google Maps. There is a good amount of car parking space but of course it can get busy during peak times.

Tip – There are free public toilets next to Ermita de Los Dolores (if travelling by bus you can hop off there then it’s a short walk to Mancha Blanca and the hike from there). Maybe factor this in on your way to the hike as this is your only option (thank me later!).

(As a solo traveller I took the bus for my whole time in Lanzarote, however renting a car would be amazing. If there is more than one of you travelling this is especially a great way to get around. Buses are generally not so frequent to some places or simply don’t reach some more remote spots. You can take a search below for rental cars should you wish).

Best time of day to visit?

The best time of day to hike Caldera Blanca depends on various factors, including what season you are visiting Lanzarote in. For example, during the warmer months you will want to go early to avoid the peak heat of the day – there is no sheltering out there.

On the other hand, visiting in the cooler months doesn’t matter so much. In fact, I’d advise to go a little later as you just might be lucky to get an experience like I did….

I visited in February, and started my walk around noon, which turned out to be AMAZING. Why? Because by the time I reached the peak almost everyone else had been and gone, or were just leaving. I was up there at the peak completely alone at one point, which was a big contrast to how those in the hours before would have experience it. It felt so insane to have the volcano to myself. The early bird does NOT always catch the worm – non morning people, I’m right there with you!

Of course I wouldn’t advise going too late especially if you are out there alone. Two others left and not long after I headed back too because as insanely cool as it was to be there alone, I didn’t fancy risking anything bad happening and being left completely alone! Do be at least semi-sensible :). (Even in the winter it can be hot out there so factor that in too of course!)

Caldera Blanca – The Hike

If you prefer more visuals on the hike and want to see my little adventure, you can watch my vlog here:

From Mancha Blanca to the Caldera Blanca trail…

Lets start from Mancha Blanca as this is what I did (solo, budget, bus taking travellers you’re covered!). I took the bus from Arrecife (from the bus stop Biblioteca Publica), to Mancha Blanca to begin my adventure for the day.

Mancha Blanca looked so nice when I arrived. It was the most beautiful day and there are all these volcanoes around in the more distant views. So if you, like me, start from Mancha Blanca and have that little extra walk, embrace it and those extra scenes you get!

It is easy to get to the start of the walk from Mancha Blanca – take a short walk through the town, heading towards ‘Ruta Volcan Caldera Blanca’. There is a sign here as you can see in the image below – you are following it to ‘Montaña Caldereta‘. There is also a map, pictured below, showing you the walk you are heading towards. So, follow this narrower road that leads to the car park and ultimately the beginning of the hike.

The beginning of the official hike route

The official trail begins leading you through the lava fields, with the volcanoes (La Caldereta and Caldera Blanca) in view.

As you can see the path is very clear and easy to follow – stick to it, don’t go off route! This part is super pleasant, flat and non strenuous, with amazing scenery all around. It’s more amazing in real life than the pictures make it seem!

Do note that for this first part the path is rocky underfoot (more so than it looks in the pictures!). Wearing proper shoes is essential – trainers are fine. No flip flops!

Reaching La Caldereta aka Montaña Caldereta

After a relatively short while of walking, La Caldereta, or Montaña Caldereta – the first, smaller volcano – is upon you. Montaña Caldereta is a wonderful addition of a volcano to see up close on this walk. That being said, I wouldn’t advise spending too much time there. Not if intending to go up Caldera Blanca at least. It is much more impressive! You can always take a walk around and closer look at this one on your return.

Reaching Caldera Blanca

For some reason I tried to go a bit off route around La Caldereta – don’t do that. Continue to follow the proper path, it will lead you right to the bottom of where you want to go – Caldera Blanca!

Now it’s time for the ascent. Don’t worry, it’s not too difficult. Again there is a proper path, it’s not rocky, no scrambling is involved. The climb is pleasant in that it climbs diagonally up and is a gradual steep climb, nothing extreme.

Time to see the crater…

The climb up the side of the volcano takes you to the lowest part of the rim, with the vast crater immediately opening up below you. Once you see it you will be so glad you did the climb up! Be aware it can be WINDY. It was so windy when I reached this point!

For some, the turnaround point of the walk may be here. Perhaps you are short on time, aren’t a fan of heights, or it’s super windy and therefore dangerous to continue walking around the rim of the volcano. That is completely fine if any of these, or others are the case. You have made it up and seen the volcano scenes!! However, for some, the walk is only just getting started…

Walking the rim of Caldera Blanca

Making it up the volcano is one thing, walking the rim is another! As mentioned, this volcano is the biggest (circumference wise, not the highest) on the island. Therefore, the rim walk is quite spectacular and involves a fair bit of walking, including more (gradual) ascending.

I believe you can walk around the entire rim however I tried to go to the right first of all – I was curious and kept trying to go where everyone else wasn’t apparently – and I was very confused as I did not see how you could go that way, or not so safely anyway… What I did and what most (if not all?!) do is walk essentially half of the ridge, round the easiest, safest way to the peak and back that same way again.

After the initial view of the crater from the hike up, turn LEFT – where no doubt most of the other people are. The first image below shows the initial part of the ridge walk. It does get narrower at parts and then the terrain changes a little, as you can see in the second picture. You can also see when I was there just how quiet it was when I started the ridge walk in the afternoon. SO COOL.

Following the rim….

Just continue to follow the ridge round, you will no doubt see people gathered at the peak, where you want to end up. There were still quite a few people at the peak when I was heading round but by the time I got there nearly all had left!

It was WINDY when I was walking towards the peak. I felt kind of ‘shaky’ or ‘on edge’ or so for a while to be honest… had it been any windier I am not sure how far I would have gone. Do factor in any windy conditions and act accordingly! At one point I suddenly had some respite from the wind (no idea how – there is no shelter up there) and that was a great moment!

Take time to take in the scenes around you, keep going and soon you will be circling round to the highest point.

The peak of the volcano

…..And you make it to the PEAK! Once you reach the peak you will be rewarded and be glad you went. I wasn’t sure if I should go all the way there but as the conditions permitted and I had the time, it was the best thing to do! Totally worth it!

I spent a fair amount of time up there. It makes for a pretty epic lunch spot btw – lunch with a VIEW for sure! (Do take food with you, you will want at least a snack!). As nearly everyone had left already the peak of Caldera Blanca had become SO peaceful. I feel like I fully immersed myself in it, took my time and appreciated it for what it is. A BEAUTY.

Heading back down Caldera Blanca

Everyone had left. The last two people who were at the peak had left. They were still in view but it really was JUST ME alone up there. Which was INSANE SO COOL. But also a little eerie in a weird sense. It was time to go!

You take the same route back as you took to the peak. Of course now you are gradually descending which is nice, and faster!

I loved the way back down. Maybe it was because there was no one but the two people in the distance (who I did catch up with), or maybe it was that it didn’t feel super windy anymore so I wasn’t quite so on edge. Whatever it was, I was full on vibing it! I found myself able to enjoy the surroundings even more while still walking, and the views in front of me, with no people obscuring the path or so, were just amazing! I was super lucky!

You might even see some goats roaming around as I did!

Keep heading down and follow the trail all the way back, past La Caldereta, through the lava fields, to the car park and beyond back to Mancha Blanca if you take the bus.

….And the Caldera Blanca hike in Lanzarote is complete!!

Is the Caldera Blanca hike worth doing?

Overall, I had an amazing day hiking Caldera Blanca. I wasn’t particularly in the mood for a hike when I woke up the morning I did it, but as soon as I got there and set out on the trail I LOVED it. Going to the peak of the volcano topped it off, and especially getting it without the crowds.

I fully recommend adding the Caldera Blanca hike to any Lanzarote trip.

Even if you can’t do the climb up for whatever reason – there were a good few families with young kids on the first part of the trail – walk as far as La Caldereta or the bottom of Caldera Blanca. Even that part is great to experience! You don’t HAVE to go to the peak but if you can, DO IT!!

Remember to be safe, sensible (windy conditions!), take snacks, water, sunscreen, wear proper shoes, don’t miss the last bus back and have fun! 🙂