Timanfaya National Park

Introduction

El Diablo - Timanfaya N.P. logo

© Herr Bert

Timanfaya National Park covers a huge part of the central eastern part of the island of Lanzarote. The moonlike landscape you see today dates back from the eruptions that took place between 1730 and 1736, and from a smaller eruption in 1824. It was declared a National park in 1974, and was reclassified in 1981, declaring over 90% of the park as reserved area.

Geography

Timanfaya National Park is located on the central eastern part of the island and covers around 51 square kilometres. contains many striking geological features of considerable scientific value, such as Aa and Pahoehoe lava flows, islets of land surviving from before the most recent eruptions, volcanic cones, tubes, bubbles, domes, geothermal accidents and so forth. The eruption that took place in this area is one of the most famous ones, as it lasted for 6 years. The whole area of the national park, as well as huge parts outside of the boundaries excists of black volcanic soil. As the eruption took place recently and the evolutionary process goes slow on Lanzarote this area is of great value to scientist to see how an area recovers from an eruption, and how wildlife, especially plants reclaim their place. To secure this area, 90% of the National Park has been classified as reserved area.

Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park

© Herr Bert

Sights and Activities

Islote de Hilario/El Diablo Restaurant

Access to the park is limited. The most used option is to drive up to the El Diablo restaurant, and to take the bus tour that start from there. The bustour follows a 14 kilometre-long road, which was build under suspicion of Manrique, and passes by the main features of the park. Apart from the tour and some geothermical demonstrations (including burning scrubbushes, and pouring water in the ground to create an artificial geyser), there is not much more to do, except enjoying the view and eat something which is prepared on what basically is a big barbeque.

Hiking

Access to the park is prohibited apart from 3 footpaths, of which two need to be done with a guide, that need be booked at the Timanfaya visitor center in advance, and reconfirmed 2 days before the agreed date. The other option is a footpath along the coastline, which is free for everyone. Needless to say, you should stay on the path and take litter with you.

Mancha Blanca Visitor Center

Timanfaya - Mancha Blanca visitor center

© Herr Bert

This visitor center lies outside of the boundaries of the National Park itself, but most of the surrounding area is made up of the same volcanic material. The exhibition has some general themes like the volcanic activity on the Canary Islands and the wildlife that can be found on the island. Apart from this there are video screenings, and in the basement they recreate a volcanic eruption with light effects and sound. If you know a bit about volcanoes, the visitor center can be skipped.

Casa de los Camelleros

Casa de los Camelleros or Cameleers House is a place a little south along the LZ67, towards Yaiza. Apart from the very touristic camel ride which can be done, the place hold a small museum in which you can learn more over the area, and the use of camels on the island.

Opening Hours

Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park

© Herr Bert

Cost

The costs of entering the park, when driving up to Islote de Hilario and the El Diablo restaurant are €8. This includes a ticket for the bustour.

Getting There

By Car

Take the LZ-67 either from Mancha Blanca (from the north) or Yaiza (from the south) and follow the signs. Upon leaving the LZ-67, you will have to pay the entrance to the park (€8). The ticket already includes the bustour, which starts at the parking lot, near to the El Diablo restaurant.

By Bus

By bus you can only arrive at the National Park if you go on an organised trip.

Eat

Eating can only be done at the El Diablo Restaurant. Prices are a bit steeper than in other parts of the island, but you can say you ate something that was prepared on a magma barbeque, as the food is grilled by the heat of the volcano.

Drink

As is the case with eating, the restaurant is the place to be if you are inside the national park. If you head out for a walk inside the park, you need to bring your own supplies, and take all litter back with you. There are no places where you can get water once you entered the park, so bring plenty.

External Links

• Timanfaya NP on Lanzarote.com