EL GOLFO TO CHARCO DE LOS CLICOS
The emerald lagoon at los Clicos / Image: Adobe Stock
El Golfo, a diddy little fishing settlement on the west coast of the island, is worth a nose around in itself – Penélope Cruz, no less, shot some of stylish Pedro Almodóvar flick Broken Embraces here. But really it’s all about this 10km or so round trip along the well-signed, bubble-studded lava flows to Charco de los Clicos, an eye-catching lagoon that’s a lurid popping green colour thanks to its distinctive algae population. Set against the moody black-sand backdrop, it’s all very cinematic.
El Golfo, Yaiza
Mancha Blanca to Caldera de Montaña Blanca
The otherworldly crater of Caldera Blanca / Image: © Turismo Lanzarote
Make your way to the village of Mancha Blanca and look out for directions saying ‘Camino al Cráter’, which literally means ‘path to crater’. The 2.5km way is rocky and uneven but well signposted with helpful English and Spanish guides to the local geology. When you reach the big crater you can do a big loop, or scoot down the side at one of the little paths, marked out with rock piles. Or if you’re tired there’s a smaller crater called Montaña Caldereta halfway along the pathway – note the humidity inside, which made it a hotspot for agriculture back in the day.
Mancha Blanca, Tinajo
Famara beach to Peñas Del Chache
Take in the entire island from its loftiest point / Image: Alamy
The highest point on Lanzarote, at 671m above sea level, is not for the faint-hearted. But if you’re feeling robust and you’re carrying plenty of food and water the 8.2km signposted round trip up to Peñas Del Chache from pretty Famara beach is a revelation. Lanzarote revels in its reputation for rocky lunar weirdness, but up here during spring and winter the grass all around is thick and lush and studded with wildflowers. And the view from the crazy windy summit will blow you away.
Famara, Teguise
