La Palma activities
Like the wide variety of nature this small continent has to offer there is also: Tiking, Horse riding, Paragliding, Cycling, Boat excursions and of course diving……! Everything is possible here, logically relaxation on one of the beautiful beaches as well. The island is a secret place that offers uncountable possibilities to enjoy the nature. Hiking Boat tours Biking Paragliding Beaches
Hiking on La Palma
La Palma is a hiking paradise par excellence. Not only for the incredible variety of different landscapes but also for the widened network of trails which is well sign posted. La Palma was the first island that consequently widened its network to more than 1000 km of trails and so initiated a real hiking boom in Spain. The island offers numerous beautiful hiking trails: long mountain tours with alpine character or long walks through the forests as well as just short walks with great views e. g. into the erosion crater. So there is everything people who love hiking and nature can wish for. Broken up volcanic landscapes, deep and wild canyons, rich and wide rain and laurel forests as well as idyllic valleys are waiting for being discovered and invite for hiking. The heart of the island is the national park Caldera de Taburiente where you find one of the biggest and most spectacular erosion craters of the world. It has got a diameter of more than 9 km and is surrounded by steep faces that are more than 1800m high.
Especially worth visiting is the nature reserve “Los Tilos” with an impressively intact nature and a fantastic vegetation. You find everything one can wish for. Only a good equipment and according to the trail experience and a good condition are required. You can join local guided tours and/or experience the island on Shank’s mare alone or in self-organized groups. We recommend hiking with Mike of Graja Tours. They go in small groups with competent explanations regarding La Palma’s flora which includes more than 700 botanical species. 70 of these species are endemic which means that they are not found anywhere else in the world but on La Palma.
Special recommended trails
Cumbrecita-round trail: 
A nice walk at the south edge of the Caldera, 3,1 km long, time needed approx. 1h. With 100m ascents and descents it is a beautiful walk for beginners with spectacular views into the alpine bowl. Due to limited parking places at the starting point, previous application at the visitor’s centre is required.
Extended Caldera-round trail:
The “classic” for those who love hiking is one of the most beautiful trails of the Canary Islands. It leads you through the Caldera, the world’s biggest erosion crater and offers an impressive view into an intact nature with wild canyons, pinewoods and giant rock formations. Highlight: side trip to the coloured cascade, the Cascada colorada. 13,3 km long, time needed approx. 4,5h, a descent of 1000m through the canyon of “mortal fear”, the valley of the Caldera de Taburiente.
Marcos and Corderos: an adventurous trail through canyons and tunnels. Equipped with helmets and torches you go through 13 tunnels (the longest with more than 400m) to the sources of Marco y Cordero. When descending you pass a spectacular landscape that leads you through the wild Barranco de Agua. 12 km long, time needed approx. 5h. 100m ascents and 900m descents. Only for hikers with no fear of heights, who are in a good condition and are surefooted.
Vulcano trail: One of the greatest but physically demanding trails. The trail leads over the back of the Cumbre Vieja which is up to now with 120 volcanoes the most volcanic part of the island. In case of good weather conditions you can enjoy great views of the east and west coast and you can see the adjoining islands El Hierro, La Gomera and Tenerife. 18km long, time needed approx. 6h, 700m ascents, 1400m descents. For those who like to join the groups of Grajatours it would be our pleasure to give you advice and to make the booking. Current plan of trails -> Graja Tours If you like to hike on your own initiative we recommend Irene Björes’ tour guide, published by Michael-Müller-Verlag, which is available in our office. Irene Björes lives and works on La Palma and often walks her described trails.
Boat- and Sunset Tours with MS Bussard
MS Bussard is an historic wodden fishing boat from the german north sea. The 18m long wessel offers a lot of space for the maximum of 12 passengers. There are two types of trips offered, the daytrip an dthe sun set tour, each 4 1/2 hours. While shipping across the romantic coast of La Palma there is space for snorkeling and a tappa menu is offered.
Dolphin and Whale Safari’s with Fancy II
Everyday (except Saturday) the Fancy II offers excursions on the Atlantic ocean. On one of the routes north you can enjoy the sea view and the abrupt coast line of La Palma, like the “Bahia de los piratas” (pirate bay) and the “Cueva Bonita” (beautiful cave). The sub-aquatic windows on the Fancy II allows the non divers to participate in the fascinating underwater world of La Palma. On the Dolphin and Whale Safari you can generally find the intelligent mammals of the sea, which are here all year on the coasts of La Palma and with a little luck you can swim with dolphins.
Biking on La Palma
La Palma presents cyclists various types of routes with varying grades of difficulty. The island itself is easy to explore with the excellent roads. The excursions that can be found here are mainly on the forest routes, though pine forests and laurel forests you’ll pass vineyards and almond orchards or walking routes full of curves and lava streams created by extravagant volcanoes. These routes always offer grand views of the coasts and the sea, the forests or unreal moon like landscape. For conventional cyclists or mountain bikers the enormous mountains aren’t easy. The streets are almost all steep as the island is very mountainous. Even with a map it is easy to get lost in the solitary parts, and because of this we advise that you get information at the place or participate in an excursion. Magic Bike La Palma Bikenfun Bikestation
Paragliding at La Palma
Paragliding in La Palma is a big attraction and a unique experience. There are regular winds and there aren’t many times in the year where the conditions aren’t perfect for paragliding. There are various types of Para shoots and there are many possible places to take off.. Most of the Paragliding can be found on the west side, the sunny side of La Palma. The popular jumps are on the “La Cumbre Vieja” (old hills) and you land on the beaches of Santa Cruz de La Palma or Puerto Naos. Above Puerto Naos there are various places to jump, some can be found on the crest of the hill, and another on the edge of the cliff. Tandemflights Puerto Naos
The Beaches of La Palma
For tourists that only like to enjoy beaches on their holiday there are many destinations, for example the neighbouring islands Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where you can find kilometres of beaches with golden sand. In La Palma there is black lava and steep cliff’s. La Palma has 3 major beaches. Puerto Naos and Puerto de Tazacorte are on the west coast and Los Cancajos are on the east of the island. What’s more there is a small amount of bays romantically concealed, which can only be reached by foot but its worth while as you can spend a day there and enjoy the sun and the sea. Be Careful: The Atlantic isn’t a lake. Sometimes it can be dangerous with underwater currents. The under current increases the further you swim and the way out is more difficult than you think. When you want to take the opportunity to bathe in the sea take these recommendations seriously: A red flag signifies that all swimming is prohibited, a yellow flag means to take precaution as there is a high surge. With the green flag swimming is always possible.
Beach summery
Puerto Naos
The beach at Puerto Naos is situated on the west coast and is 1km long, with fine black sand with some pebbled parts (depending on the time of the year). This beach has a touch of the Caribbean, because of the coconut palm trees which give you a proportional amount of nice shade.
The beach has lots of facilities like showers, changing rooms, toilets, access for the disabled and beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. Also there are various different restaurants and bars on the Paseo Maritimo. Playa de las Monjas This is the only nudist beach on the island and you can find it 1.5 km south of Puerto Naos in the direction of El Remo, the entry is through the banana plantations. It is a small beach set in steep cliff’s, and there is a bar which isn’t always open.
Playa Charco Verde
This beach also has fine black sand and you can find it south of Puerto Naos 1 km past Las Monjas, with easy car access. There is a Restaurant in the middle of the beach.
Playa Nogales
For many people this beach on the east is one of the prettiest and most well preserved on the island, with beautiful surroundings. You can only access this beach by foot and you have to walk down a steep cliff (20 mins). There is only sunny until 1pm and in the winter there are lots of waves and currents.
Playa Los Guierres (former Playa Nueva)
This is a very attractive beach especially if you want to surf. You can find it north of Puerto Naos. In the winter only half of the beach has sand, and the rest is pebbles, there is a strong current, and its difficult to swim. In the summer however its ideal for swimming. If you are leaving Puerto Naos in the direction of Los Llanos turn left at the sign which reads La Bombilla.
Playa Puerto de Tazacorte
With a large sea front. This beach with black sand stretches to a pier. For the south side of the island it is a very welcoming beach. Tazacorte is normally protected from the wind and the sun prevails through a hidden sky.
Playa del Faro
Near to the light house at Fuencaliente you can find a small beach with sand and pebbles. It isn’t the best beach for swimming because of its situation, on the southern point of the island.
Punta Larga
This spot is a heading towards the north from Playa del Faro and is very appreciated by the local people where many of them have summer houses. It is a pebbled beach but is very romantic. There is a small locally owned kiosk on the beach, where if you like fish, you can get typical fish dishes from the island.
Charco Azul
Charco Azul can be found south of Los Sauces in the direction of San Andres and Puerto Espindola. There are natural swimming pools with places to relax in the sun. But in the winter is isn’t much activity as it is really a summer place. To get on to the beach is free, and also there is a small kiosk always open.
La Fajana
This swimming pool is man made with sea water, it can be found north of Charco Azul. There are changing rooms, toilets and beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. It is free to get in. There is a Cesar Manrique style restaurant next door to make this spot complete.