Paisaje Lunar, Spanish for "lunar landscape", is a group of volcanic rock formations in the uplands of Granadilla de Abona, near the village of Vilaflor in southern Tenerife. Erosion has cut soft, pale layers of volcanic ash and pumice into columns, cones and gullies that stand out against the surrounding pine forest. The formations are reached on foot, by a walk from a campsite at the end of a dirt road or by a longer hike up from Vilaflor.
Paisaje Lunar
Field of pale eroded volcanic rock formations in the pine uplands above Vilaflor, reached by a hiking trail.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not accessible by wheelchair: no accessible parking or entrance, and the trail crosses rocky, uneven ground and boulders.
- Parking
- Free parking on dirt about 1.2 km in a straight line from the formations; cars are also left at the campsite where the hike starts.
- Difficulty
- Moderate to hard: a steep, rocky start over boulders, then an easier loop; almost no shade. About 50 minutes up from the campsite, or about 4.5 hours round trip from Vilaflor.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stop: Madre del Agua, about 4 km away in a straight line.
- Hours
- Open trail with no set hours; start early enough to finish in daylight.
- Address
- 38616 Granadilla de Abona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
What makes it special
For most of the climb there is little to look at but rock underfoot and pines on either side. Then the ground turns pale and breaks up into rows of cream-coloured spires, cones and ribbed gullies, and the name makes sense at once.
The rock is soft volcanic tuff, worn by wind and rain into shapes that stand out sharply against the dark trees. The loop around the formations is the easy part of the day. The effort goes into getting there, and that keeps the place quiet.
Good to know
- There is virtually no shade on the whole walk. Carry plenty of water and a hat.
- No toilets and no drinking water at the formations or nearby — fill up before you set out.
- The path is easy to lose. Take a map or a navigation app, and do not start late in the afternoon.
- From Vilaflor the first stretch is steep and rocky, over boulders; the loop around the formations is easier.
- The last 8 km of the drive are dirt road, ranging from fine to challenging to drive.
Getting there
By car, the approach runs through Vilaflor and then onto a dirt road for the last 8 km, ending at a campsite where the hike starts and cars are left. The road is gravel and dirt and needs care. From the campsite the climb to the formations takes about 50 minutes.
The longer option starts on foot in Vilaflor. The first hour to hour and a half goes over steep, rocky ground and boulders before reaching the loop around the formations, and the whole walk there and back takes about four and a half hours. An information board and a guidepost of the PR TF 72 trail stand by the formations.
The nearest bus stop, Madre del Agua, is about 4 km away in a straight line, so arriving by bus still leaves a long walk.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning, with the whole walk still ahead in cool air.
Avoid: midday in summer, and any start late in the afternoon.
The route has almost no shade, and the path is easy to lose once the light fades. Low sun also brings out the ribbing in the pale rock, which flattens under a high midday sun. In winter the uplands are cold first thing, so bring a warm layer.
Sun & daylight
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Paisaje Lunar on the map
Rocky, boulder-strewn ground with almost no shade, and a path that is easy to lose. Carry plenty of water, a hat and a map or navigation app, and turn back in good time before dark.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Paisaje Lunar?
From the campsite at the end of the dirt road, the climb to the formations takes about 50 minutes. From Vilaflor, the first stretch alone takes an hour to an hour and a half, and the round trip about four and a half hours.Can you drive to Paisaje Lunar?
You can drive via Vilaflor to the campsite where the hike starts; the last 8 km are dirt road. The formations themselves are reached on foot.Is the hike difficult?
The start is the hard part: steep, rocky and over boulders, somewhere between moderate and hard. The loop around the formations is easier. There is almost no shade, so carry plenty of water.Is the route easy to follow?
No. The path is easy to lose, so carry a map or a navigation app. A guidepost and an information board stand by the formations.Are there toilets or water at Paisaje Lunar?
There are no toilets and no drinking water at the formations or nearby. Bring everything you need for the day.