Looking for a different kind of getaway? A driving tour of the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands is an experience you won't soon forget.
These roads pass through craters, seas of solidified lava, volcanic cones and mountainsides stained black and red. It is the perfect destination if you are looking to combine nature, a touch of adventure and tour the Canary Islands at your own pace.
All the islands of the Canary archipelago are volcanic in origin, although it is Tenerife and Gran Canaria where most of the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands are concentrated. What's more, they all have well-connected roads, a very pleasant climate all year round and enchanting landscapes. Let us tell you all about it.
Tenerife has the best volcanic landscapes in the Canary Islands
Tenerife is the island where you will find Teide, the highest peak in Spain and one of the most imposing volcanoes in Europe. If you rent a car with OK Mobility at Tenerife South Airport (TFS), you can take the TF-21 road towards the Teide National Park. A visit to the island isn't complete without making a stop at this iconic jewel, declared a World Heritage Site.
During the drive up, you will see that the landscape changes little by little: pine forests, lava flows, reddish slopes... And then you reach an almost lunar landscape. Make stops at:
- El Mirador de la Tarta viewpoint is famous for its colourful geological layers.
- Los Roques de García, one of the best spots in the park.
- You can even take the Teide cable car for panoramic views of the entire island, weather permitting.
- When heading south and downhill, stop at Vilaflor, the town at the highest altitude in the Canary Islands.
- Walk to the Lunar Landscapes, white volcanic ash formations formed by wind and erosion.
The volcanic face of Gran Canaria
The volcanic landscapes of Gran Canaria are not as well known as those of Tenerife, but they are also worth a visit. If you pick up your OK Mobility rental car at the airport of Gran Canaria (LPA), start your route to the Caldera de Bandama, a huge crater 1,000 metres in diameter and 200 metres deep. There are viewpoints to marvel at it from above and even a path to go inside it.
From here, take the GC-15 road to reach the centre of the island. It is a winding route that takes you to the most mountainous area of Gran Canaria, with incredible views of ravines, volcanic cones and slopes lined with vegetation.
The final destination is the Roque Nublo, an 80-metre volcanic monolith sitting more than 1,800 metres above sea level. The tour of volcanic landscapes in Gran Canaria ends in the south, between the sea, lava and dunes. In Maspalomas, you will find desert dunes that meet ravines of volcanic origin.
How to organise your volcanic driving tour in the Canary Islands
OK Mobility has locations at Tenerife South and Gran Canaria airports, so you can rent a car to start your route as soon as you land. Both islands have a solid road network, although in the volcanic areas—especially in the natural parks—they are somewhat narrower and winding. It is best to take it easy, enjoy the scenery and make as many stops as you feel you need.
To enjoy the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, at least two or three days are needed for each one. With enough time, you can see the most visited areas and also some lesser-known corners. If you are planning to spend a week or more in the archipelago, you can fly between the islands and rent a car at each destination.
Always carry water, something to eat, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an external battery for your cell phone. There are areas without mobile phone signal, so take a map or download the routes beforehand.
Volcanic getaways to other islands
If after a tour of volcanic landscapes in the Canary Islands you are left wanting more, the archipelago is home to many more treasures.
- Lanzarote has the Timanfaya National Park, which offers a visual spectacle of recent lava, craters and guided bus tours through protected areas.
- La Palma houses the new Tajogaite volcano (which emerged during the eruption of Cumbre Vieja in September 2021), which has transformed the island's orography.
If you want to discover the most beautiful volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, rent a car with OK Mobility in Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Renting a car gives you the freedom to tour each island at your own pace, stop as many times as you want and reach corners that cannot be reached via public transportation or on foot.
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