Self-Guided La Palma

On arrival at the La Palma airport (SPC) an included taxi transfer takes you to the colonial town of Santa Cruz de la Palma.

If you arrive early, you'll have plenty of time to admire the beautiful architecture and Canarian pine balconies of the island's capital. Walk along the cobbled Calle Real and colourful narrow side streets, with every house painted a different shade. Stay: Holiday Time Hotel (Comfortable)

Today starts by taking the local bus through the cloud forests of El Cubo de la Galga Nature Reserve. Here you start the walk which leads through beautiful and unspoilt laurel forest and a deep gorge. There is also the option to extend the walk along the rugged coastline to the village of Puntallana. After the walk, you'll be picked up by a taxi in Galga or Puntallana and taken to your next accommodation above the village of Barlovento. You will spend two nights here, the hotel has both and indoor and outdoor swimming pool as well and a great restaurant.

Today's 7km to 15km walk is expected to take about 4 to 6.5 hours and you will ascend 575m and descend 1100m. Stay: Hotel La Palma Romantica (Comfortable) (B)

This morning you take a bus west to Los Franceses. Where you start your walk along a breathtaking route with impressive views along the Camino Real or 'royal roads', a network of trails used by the inhabitants of the island until the middle of the last century to pass through difficult areas to transit, usually with animals laden in supplies. Today you walk from ravine to ravine to the Dragon Blood trees of the hamlet of La Tosca, then continue to your hotel in the villag of Barlovento. This is a very green part of the island with much vegetation.

Today's 12km walk is expected to take about 5.5 hours and you will ascend 710m and descend 520m. Stay: Hotel La Palma Romantica (Comfortable) (B)

After an included taxi ride to the foot of Pico de La Nieve (2039m) today's walk begins. Hike along the edge of the deep Caldera de Taburiente, the largest erosion crater in the world. Following well-marked trails, a long descent begins through pine forests and the so-called Reventon trail until you reach the National Visitors Centre. From here you will take a bus to Los Llanos de Aridane where you spend the next two nights. This modern town is on the west side of the Island and surrounded by farmland. Nearby it has beautiful coves, beaches and a town centre worth exploring, particularly the church of Nuestra Senora de Los Remedios which contains a 16th century image of the Virgin Mary.

Today's 16.5km walk is expected to take about 6.5 hours and you will ascend 420m and descend 1420m. Stay: Hotel Valle Aridane (Comfortable) (B)

Starting with an included taxi ride to Los Brecitos, at the heart of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, you begin your descent to the bed of the Taburiente River. Then you walk toward the Roque Idafe, a natural stone pillar and with a special meaning for the inhabitants of the island as it was once worshiped as the Tree of Life. Today you will also see a colourful waterfall, dyed by the sulphur generated by the Caldera. A taxi will be arranged to take you back to Los Llanos de Aridane at the end of the route.

Today's 16.5km walk is expected to take about 6 hours and you will ascend 250m and descend 900m. Stay: Hotel Valle Aridane (Comfortable) (B)

Today you take a taxi to the start of the Time ridge walk. This panoramic route starts with a steep climb across ancient lava flow to the western edge of the crater Taburiente. Then you gradually descend over mainly footpaths and unpaved country roads to the restaurant and mirador El Time. There is a route extension if you wish that continues further downhill along mainly paved but quiet lanes to the friendly beach town of Puerto Tazacorte. Take your time over a lunch break here before travelling back to the hotel in Llanos de Adridane by public bus. Today's 7.4 or 10.5km walk is expected to take about 4 or 5.5 hours and you will ascend 250m and descend 985 or 1490m. Stay: Hotel Valle Aridane (Comfortable) (B)

The main road south from Los Llanos do Aridanse to Fuencalient is still blocked after the most recent volcano eruptions at the Cumbre Vieje in September 2021. To get round this we start the day with a long taxi ride to the village of Los Canarios. From here you start your walk across black lava, past several extinct volcanoes to the lighthouse of Faro. We recommend stopping here to have lunch at the 'Jardin de le Sal' restaurant. After lunch take the public bus back to Santa Cruz de la Palma, for your last night on La Palma. Today's 9km walk is expected to take about 3 hours and you will ascend 60m and descend 760m. Stay: Holiday Time Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end. (B)