TIMANFAYA NATIONAL PARK


This National Park has a surface area of 5,107.5 ha and lies on Lanzarote, in the districts of Yaiza and Tinajo, where violent volcanic eruptions took place in the 17th and 18th c. Timanfaya represents the best example of a volcanic habitat with hardly any vegetation, in which the typical species that live in the Park do so thanks to the organic material blown there on the wind (an eolian habitat). This habitat has witnessed hardly any human intrusion making it a real research laboratory for colonising processes (fauna and flora).

The lower part of the park is a huge area of solidified lava which is almost flat and only broken by the rugged surface of the extensive "Bad Lands". There a series of craters and cones from different periods arise like geological marks of a very active past. A road, the so-called Route of the Volcanoes, is followed on a visit to the park. It is perfectly hidden and no trace of it can be seen from outside. It is about 14 km long and was budt with volcanic material. It allows the visitor to go near the craters and see the most breathtaking scenery.

The forms of life in these parts are few. Plant life is only now beginning to colonize the sod. There are rushes and the native aeonios and tabaibas. One of the most common plant is a member of the broom family called aulaga majorera. They are often cut and burnt as a spectacle for those who visit La Montaņa de Fuego. The burning of dry broom or the vaporizing of water poured down the tubes in the found to create artificial geysers are proof that the ground below Timanfaya is still very hot despite the years that have passed.

There are practically no vertebrates other than reptiles and birds. This area, nearby African coast, is used as an annual stop-over point for migratory birds; some theme feed and winter in this area. Among the hollows of these volcanic stones, it is easy to observe the Haria lizard (Lanzarote endemic species) quickly moving about or lying immobile in the sun, some rabbits and rodents. However, there are invertebrates species which only live in this area.

How to reach the Park

This National Park lies 40 km from Arrecife and 33 km from the airport. For a visit, the road to Yaiza should be taken. From there, a track leads as far as Tinajo.

The boundary of the Park runs through a sea of lava. This is also the point from where camel excursions are organized. A direct road leads to El Islote de Hilario, where the itinerary of the Volcanoes starts. Tinajo should be visited on the return.

Advice of interest to visitors

  • Guided visits need to bookes in advance.
  • Very near the boundaries of the Park, La Montaņa de Fuego (ie, Mountain of Fire) or Timanfaya lies on the right-hand side of the road. At the foot of the mountain, the slope of the volcanic cone can be visited on the back of a camel.
  • The itinerary of the Volcanoes is also recommended for a more complete visit of the Park, especially areas such as the Valley of La Tranquilidad. A bus leaves El Islote de Hilario every hour and the trip takes 50 minutes. On the bus explanations are given in several languages.
  • At El Islote de Hilario, there are a bar and a restaurant which blend perfectly into the scenery.
  • The Park can be visited at any time of the year because it rains very little in these parts. A morning or afternoon is sufficient for a visit.
  • A camera should be part of the visitor's equipment.

Geological structures occupy a very important part of the Spanish heritage of nature. Their protection is the duty of all those who enjoy and learn from visiting them.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)