The Volcano Route: El Pilar to Los Canarios

From the picnic area at the Refugio de El Pilar, at 1,440 m, the path climbs through pines and out onto the bare crest of the Cumbre Vieja. It passes the Hoyo Negro, the main crater of the eruption of 1949, and Duraznero, and reaches its high point on Las Deseadas at about 1,945 m. Beyond Volcán Martín, which erupted in 1646, a long descent on black gravel and through pine forest leads past the Fuente de los Roques, the first water on the way, to Los Canarios.

It is 17.4 km one way with 638 m of climbing and 1,344 m of descent; allow about 7 hours. The grade is Hard: an easy path to follow, but long, with loose volcanic gravel underfoot.

The walk is one way and there is no bus to El Pilar: most people take a taxi to the start. No permit is needed.

There is no water, and no easy way off, for the first 14 km. The crest is open to wind and sun, cold in winter and often in cloud, and phone coverage comes and goes. Start by nine o'clock, and take more water than you think you need.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.