Tremesana route, Timanfaya Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
Total Duration 3 hours. 5 km by mini-bus + 4 km circular walk
Beautiful guided circular route made from the network of National Parks of Spain, in the impressive Timanfaya National Park. On this route we will observe and enjoy the different volcanic structures born after the volcanic eruptions of the period 1730-1736 by the hand of a very experienced guide, in a place where the entrance to the public is closed, thus preserving nature and beauty. from the place of great historical-biological interest. Really an immersion to know a little more about the history and nature of this singular.
Tremesana Route Lanzarote: Timanfaya National Park
We decided to do this route the day before starting our hiking trip in Lanzarote in order to know the unique features of the island and the truth, a great success!
Unfortunately we do not have a place for this day. Only 7 places were opened due to the covid (instead of 14) and when we arrived from our trip Above and Below CÓRCEGA we saw it was fully booked. However, by phone, Timanfaya National Park personel suggested we show up early in case there were last minute dropouts (it seems that there are a lot of people who book and don’t show up but they don’t cancel because it is or free) so we could join, so we did.
At 9.30 am in the Plaza de los Remedios de Yaiza we met 8 people, 4 with booked slot and 4 without, what a luck! Finally we can all go 😊
We get into the guide’s van and go to the starting point of the route (about 2.5km). From here you can only access the National Park with a guide, since free access to the general public is prohibited.
Start of Termesana route, at Timanfaya National Park
Our guide Nino, explaining at the beginning of the Termesana route
During approximately 4km of walking tour we will see and learn many curiosities of the area such as the adaptations of the locals to the climate and geological characteristics of this land, the ‘olivine’ precious green stone of Lanzarote, fig drying buidings, … and of course, the “malpaís”, these black volcanic stones from young volcanic eruptions that form this unique black ‘lunar’ type of landscape.
This landscape that we will see during the Termesan route, is an alternation of badlands and historical black ashes, among which the ancient cones stand out. The path is wide and lined with stones.
‘lunar’ landscape during the Tremesana route
Montaña Encantada
The guide, Nino, is very nice, open and friendly. He explains in a very entertaining way scientific, geological and naturalistic topics, as well as curiosities of Lanzarote. We learn a lot!
Montaña Encantada (Enchanted Mountain) is a strombolian volcanic cone 600m in diameter, with a landslide (it is seen that it is very common for partial collapses of the walls of volcanic cones to occur during eruptions). We see a more ‘reddish’ color above, this is due to the fact that the old materials oxidize and take on ocher-orange colors, while the slopes are covered by the black ashes of the Timanfaya.
The path continues and runs clearly over the badlands of the historic lava streams that surround the base of these ancient cones.
Mooving on along the path, with Caldera Rajada in the background.
Caldera Rajada it is a small volcano that belongs to the set of historical volcanoes from the Timanfaya eruption, and it is very black, it is seen that its materials with almost no plant colonization are used to determine the relative age of the cones in the area!
Detail of roped lavas, with ‘chocolate’ effect, pahoehoe lavas (Timanfaya eruption)
Pahoehoe lavas are very fluid and have a smooth surface that can be walked on without much difficulty.
When the lava travels with a slight incline, the surface in contact with the air cools rapidly, forming a rough crust that insulates the interior, where the lava can remain fluid for a long time. The result of this phenomenon is undulating structures that resemble ropes, hence they are also called roped lava, which the natives of Hawaii call pahoehoe (smooth)!
We pass through wide badlands of pahoehoe lavas with frequent volcanic tunnels below the surface, we even see one that collapsed and you can see the interior.
Green olivine embedded in basalt rock
During the course of the route, Nino shows us the ‘olivine’ precious green stone of Lanzarote. Here we leave you an article to read about the olivine legends.
Landscapes and examples of rural adaptations, with the Termesana mountain in the background
Montaña Termesana it is a strombolian volcanic cone of 1km in diameter with a crater totally open to the NW. The cone is covered on its lower slopes by the black ashes of Timanfaya that farmers have traditionally used for cultivating fig trees and vines protected by walls of black volcanic stone. In the upper parts of the crater you can see the old orange colored slags due to oxidation.
Fig drying building
We reached the furthest point on our route up to the fig drying building. Normally it is a linear route, since the park has 2 guides doing the route at the same time; one starting at one end and the other at the other end, but in our case there was only one since the other was on vacation.
So we return to the starting point along a path where only scientists or some farmers pass for the fig harvesting (rural arts are still allowed in the national park, only along the marked paths).
Fig detail on a fig tree
Detail of volcanic stone walls to protect fig trees and vines
Finally we return to the starting point after a good tour and explanations from the guide Nino, really great! and from there we all return in the van to Yaiza, arriving at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Group advancing through badlands, ashes and black pyrosclasts, typical landscape on the Termesana route.
Read on and discover how we crossed the island on foot! Hiking Route Lanzarote – La Graciosa: Day1
Some recomendations…
- Although the route is easy, closed shoes are highly recommended to walk in the volcanic badlands.
- The route is free but must be booked in advance at the following link
- If the slots are sold out, you can try to go (show up early, 8:30-8:45 a.m. in the Plaza de los Remedios de Yaiza) since there are usually people who finally do not go and do not cancel their booking.
