Montana Colorada

Rust-red volcanic cone ringed by an easy trail across the lava field, past a giant volcanic bomb

Montaña Colorada is a volcanic cone in the municipality of Tinajo on Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, formed during the eruptions of 1730–1736. A walking trail of 3 to 4 km circles the volcano across the lava field, with information boards on the volcano, on volcanoes in general and on growing vines in lapilli. It is known for its red flank and for a volcanic bomb, a huge rock thrown out during the eruption. No path leads to the summit or into the crater.

Entrance
Free; there is no ticket.
Parking
Free parking on bare ground about 500 m away; Caldera de los Cuervos Parking, also free, about 1.2 km away.
Difficulty
Easy: a 3–4 km loop around the volcano, about an hour, with no shade.
Transport
Nearest bus stops: Masdache and Masdache vuelta, about 2.5 km away in a straight line.
Advance booking
Not needed.
Hours
Open at any time.
Address
Caldera Colorada, 35560, Las Palmas, Spain

What makes it special

The red flank is visible from far off, and the walk brings you right up against it. Close to, the colour shifts from one side of the cone to the other with the lichens that cover the ground. On the way round lies the volcanic bomb, a huge rock hurled out by the eruption. Across the lava field, other volcanoes fill the background.

Information boards along the trail explain what you are looking at, from the cone itself to the vines grown in black lapilli. By late afternoon the trail is often empty, and the loop is easy enough for a short evening walk.

Good to know

  • The trail circles the volcano. No path climbs to the summit or into the crater.
  • The loop is 3 to 4 km of easy walking, about an hour.
  • There are no toilets and no drinking water at the volcano or nearby. Bring water.
  • The slopes and the lava field give no shade, so avoid the hottest hours of the day.

Getting there

The closest car park is a patch of bare ground about 500 m away in a straight line. Caldera de los Cuervos Parking lies about 1.2 km away. From either one, the rest is on foot.

By bus, the nearest stops are at Masdache, about 2.5 km away in a straight line, so arriving by bus means a longer walk in across open volcanic ground.

Best time to visit

Best: early morning, or late afternoon into the evening.

Avoid: the middle of the day, above all in summer.

The cone and the lava field around it offer no shade at all, and by late afternoon the trail is usually quiet.

Sun & daylight

Nearby Places

Similar Places

Montana Colorada on the map

The trail has no shade, and there is no water at the volcano or nearby. Carry enough to drink, cover up against the sun and skip the hottest hours.

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Frequently asked questions

  1. Can you climb to the top of Montaña Colorada?

    No. There is no path to the summit or into the crater; the trail circles the volcano.
  2. How long is the walk around Montaña Colorada?

    The loop is 3 to 4 km of easy walking and takes about an hour.
  3. Where do you park for Montaña Colorada?

    The nearest car park is on bare ground about 500 m away in a straight line. Caldera de los Cuervos Parking is about 1.2 km away.
  4. Are there toilets or water at Montaña Colorada?

    No. There are no toilets and no drinking water at the volcano or nearby, so bring water with you.
  5. What is the volcanic bomb at Montaña Colorada?

    A huge rock thrown out during the eruption. It is one of the sights on the walk around the volcano.