Calderón Hondo is an extinct volcanic cone 278 metres high in the north of Fuerteventura, in the municipality of La Oliva, close to the village of Lajares. A marked, cobbled path climbs to the crater rim, where a viewing platform looks down into the crater and out across the island. Entering the crater itself is not allowed. On clear days both Lanzarote and the island of Lobos are visible from the top.
Calderon Hondo
Long-extinct volcano, 278 m high, with a cobbled path climbing to a viewing platform on the crater rim.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Reached only on foot along an uphill cobbled path to the rim; not suitable for wheelchairs.
- Parking
- Parking Space El Hondo, about 600 m in a straight line from the crater, reached by a very bumpy road; an SUV or four-wheel drive is recommended.
- Difficulty
- Easy walk on a well-kept, marked cobbled path to the crater rim, fully exposed to the sun; sturdy footwear recommended.
- Transport
- Bus stops Lajares and Cam.futbol (route 200), both about 2.6 km away in a straight line.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open hillside, accessible at any time.
- Address
- Calderón Hondo, 35660, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
From the platform on the rim the ground drops away into the crater, a bowl of rust-red and dark volcanic rock that you may look into but not enter. Turn round and the north of the island spreads out below, with Lanzarote across the strait and the low shape of Lobos off the coast.
The climb is part of the appeal. The cobbled path is well kept and marked, and children and mountain bikers manage it without trouble. Near the top, Barbary ground squirrels dart between the stones. They are an introduced species, so leave them unfed.
Good to know
- There is no shade on the slopes. Bring a hat, sunglasses and water: there are no toilets and no drinking water at the volcano or nearby.
- The road to the car park near the top is very bumpy; an SUV or four-wheel-drive car is recommended.
- The viewing platform on the rim is small and gets crowded.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the cobbled path.
- Other walking routes cross the surrounding volcanic ground if you want a longer outing.
Getting there
There are two ways up. From Lajares, a marked cobbled path leads all the way to the crater rim. The walk from the village is in full sun with nowhere to shelter, so set off with water and a hat.
By car, a very bumpy road runs to a car park about 600 m in a straight line from the crater; an SUV or four-wheel drive copes with it best. From there the last stretch is on foot, uphill along the cobbles to the platform. The nearest bus stops are in Lajares, about 2.6 km away in a straight line.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is low and the slopes are cooler.
Avoid: the middle of the day, above all in summer.
The cone is bare from foot to rim, so there is no escape from the midday sun, while the low light at either end of the day brings out the colours of the crater walls.
Access & restrictions
Entering the crater is not allowed: the platform and the path along the rim are as far as visitors go. Stay on the marked path on the way up and down. Do not feed the ground squirrels; they are an invasive species, and feeding them encourages them to spread.
Sun & daylight
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The slopes have no shade and the sun is fierce, so carry water and cover up. At the rim, stay on the path and the platform: the crater is off limits and its edge falls away steeply.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you walk down into the crater of Calderón Hondo?
No. Entering the crater is not allowed; you look into it from the viewing platform on the rim.Can you drive up Calderón Hondo?
You can drive to a car park near the top, about 600 m in a straight line from the crater. The road is very bumpy, so an SUV or four-wheel-drive car is recommended, and the last stretch is on foot.Is the walk up Calderón Hondo difficult?
It is an easy walk on a well-kept, marked cobbled path that children and mountain bikers manage. The main challenge is the sun: there is no shade, so bring water, a hat and sturdy shoes.What can you see from the top?
The crater below the platform, and across the water both Lanzarote and the island of Lobos.Are there toilets or water at Calderón Hondo?
No. There are no toilets and no drinking water at the volcano or nearby, so bring what you need.