One of the best ways to enjoy Lanzarote is to see the island on foot. We run Guided Walks across the island. Join us or follow in the footsteps of our Head Guide – who outlines a great coastal walk.
This is a perfect introductory walk for the first time visitor and gives an idea of the terrain that is prevalent throughout the island
Walk Stats
Grade:2 Easy
Duration: 3hours Return
Distance: 4.5km
Acc/Des: 100metres F5
Walk Instructions
Our walk starts in the old town of Puerto del Carmen, which is the largest of the tourist holiday areas on the island. If traveling by hire car you can park easily within the old port area.
After having a quick look round the harbour we make our way back up the hill towards the Victoria Pub and The Irish Harbour Bar where we turn left and follow the pavement through to the end. We are now at the Bellavista apartments on the right and Rincon apartments on the left, at the far end of Rincon apartments we turn left towards the sea.
We follow this trail, turning right up a steep incline along the side of a well built stonewall where we soon join a block-paved walkway that follows the line of cliffs. There are numerous vantage points with seating overlooking the sea and harbour entrance, which take in the sights. Puerto del Carmen looks very different from this angle, and the gardens and villas to our right add a very rich feel to the area.
The block-paved walkway gives way to a picon trail, which continues to follow the seaward side of the wall.
Soon the picon trail ends by the bottom of a flight of steps. Our path is quite clearly defined in front of us heading across a rocky pathway.
Leaving the urban area behind us we now make our way across some rough open land between two large rocks and after a short time we find ourselves joining up with a driven dirt track. At this point the driven track splits into various directions but for the benefit of our walk we will stay on the seaward side track.
Soon all the tracks converge and we continue along the walking track heading left towards a small house built on the cliff edge. The track snakes across what seems to be a car park towards the corner of a stonewall which surrounds a couple of private villas.
Continuing on this picon pathway we work our way round the outside edge of the properties. There is access to the seashore at this point by means of manmade steps. We continue along the cliff edge taking in the views across to Los Lobos and Fuerteventura.
As the path winds its way down we turn right and cut inland up the Barranco de Quiquere. There are a number of trails dropping into the barranco if you are fit and agile these well worn trails can be taken, but unless you are in great hurry it’s advisable to head inland and follow the main walking trail.
Continue towards the head of the barranco and walk up some small steps, turning to the left just follow this track for a short distance where a black gate with the numbers 18-22 can clearly be seen. On this corner turn left, following the left wall to the end turn left again and make your way down towards the sea.
At the bottom corner, also the meeting point if you have taken the short cut across the barranco, we have two choices, the easiest is to turn right onto the distinctive walking trail or for the more adventurous, walk around the front of the wall and we find a narrow pathway leading back towards Puerto Calero snaking its way around the cliff edge, but take care on this path as there is some scrambling involved.
Very soon both routes eventually converge onto a large driven dirt roadway where we continue heading left. Puerto Calero is now well within our sights and we can plainly see the masts and rigging of the yachts moored in the harbour.
The dirt roadway meanders its way across the open ground passing numerous rectangles of land marked out with piles of painted white rocks. As we get closer to Calero other tracks merge with ours, the main dirt road bears to the right but a number of paths go directly towards the large buildings.
As there is no direct access into the marina from these small tracks its advisable to stay on the main dirt road passing the major development work on our left and continue up until we reach the roundabout with it’s wonderful dingy and crew statue in its centre.
Turning left we are at the main road entrance into Puerto Calero urbanization. Walk along the pavement and crossing over a number of smaller roads we arrive at a large crossroads – on the opposite corner is a very large hotel, the Iberostar Costa Calero. Turn left and make your way down into the main harbour area of Puerto Calero.
Before heading back to Puerto del Carman take some time out and have a walk around, and especially look out for the fish (Grey Mullet) in the harbour that are vast due to the amount of food the tourists have given them. But before you leave don’t forget your well-earned ice cream.
Return back to Puerto del Carman the same way in reverse and if you are feeling thirsty and hungry when you arrive back at the Bellavista/Rincon apartments, 200mtrs further on, is a super bar restaurant called The Flatboat that I can highly recommend.
Happy Walking!
