Arrecife – Parque Nacional Timanfaya. Ruta sudoeste

La Geria Nature Reserve.

If you follow our routes, you might already know that it is important and almost a habit for us to visit one of the local wine-growing regions. And the today’s wine region on Lanzarote is really unique. Nowhere else we know of, where every single vine is isolated from the other (never best said) by walls made of lava stone. A clear example of how the harsh site conditions can encourage the ingenuity of farmers.

We are talking about our first destination today: La Geria.

In a volcanic area like Lanzarote, the agriculture could not be practiced the same way as in other regions and a very special method was developed. After severe volcanic eruptions almost 300 years ago, a one to two meter thick layer of volcanic ash (the local term for it is “picón”) came down and covered the fertile soil. Out of necessity, the farmer probably had no choice but to dig up this layer of ash in order to get back to the fertile soil. In each of these funnel-shaped holes, the farmers planted one plant of a grape variety; an unbelievable achievement considering that only one vine could be planted per hole. It is something like treasure digging.

We should relish a glass of this particular wine obtained from this cultivation. Nobody could deny that. Just looking at this agriculturally used landscape as a total work of art is worthwhile. A landscape full of hollows, all in uniform lines, and each one surrounded by a small semi-circular stone wall that is supposed to protect the vine from the wind. It looks like an immense sea of hand fans. It is indescribable. The Geria village festivities take place in mid-August.

The Saltworks Salinas de Janubio Natural Landscape and Area of Scientific Interest.

Volcanic eruptions not only changed the landscape of Geria, but that of the entire island (the only place that remained intact is Mancha Blanca).

Lava flows from the volcanoes of Timanfaya Park shaped a natural gulf in the 18th century and as a result left a huge but shallow lagoon between land and sea. In the following century, the saltworks Salinas de Janubio were built here.

From Geria we follow the LZ-30 and LZ-2 for about 15 kilometres and reach the salina: We see a landscape of white dunes on a pink carpet. Small crustaceans and an alga called Dunaliella Salina are responsible for the colour (the alga is used, among other things, to elaborate cosmetic products because of its antioxidant properties).

Los Hervideros, a Spectacle of Nature

We follow the LZ-703 for another 4 kilometres - as you can see, the distances are quite a joke - and come across the next natural wonder, Los Hervideros. Lanzarote has no limits.

So far, we have not had to spend any money to see its sights (this destination included).

The magma of the already mentioned volcanic eruptions of the 18th century reached the island's borders and poured into the sea, where it quickly solidified. Due to constant breakers, the sea formed a tangled network of caves, crevices and lava tubes in the rock masses. If you are lucky to visit Los Hervideros a rough sea day, you might observe a special spectacle of nature: the seawater shoots in meter-high fountains into the air - forced by the pressure of the waves through the volcanic rock -, rising clouds of water spray. The area is secured and signposted for visitors. If you are traveling with children, you should still pay attention, especially when the sea shows its rough side.

The lagoon of Los Clicos or the Charco Verde.

Hard to believe, but our next stop is again only 3 kilometres away. Really. In addition, it is not simply a nearby attraction, but in our humble opinion a wonder of nature which has no comparison. We have to confess that we have a weakness for the Laguna de los Clicos, even though we have already elaborated plenty of car routes on several islands with a selection of great idyllic locations. However, the Charco Verde (translated the "green puddle") in our opinion is extraordinary. It goes beyond the concept of landscape.

In view of the fact that we will arrive this region around noon, it is a good idea to have lunch in one of the nearby fishing villages: El Golfo. Here we could also leave the car in a free car parking. After lunch, we then just have to follow the short trail that leads us to the lagoon viewpoint.

Similar to most of Lanzarote's other attractions, the origin of El Charco can be traced back to the volcanic eruptions of the 18th century. The lagoon lies in the middle of a crater. This makes the lagoon something unique. It owes its beauty to the impressive combination of colours: the intensely green water of the lagoon, the black sandbank that separates the lagoon from the sea and the different shades of blue of the sky and the sea. To round off the motif, all is located in a pot of grey and brown cliffs. This picture is similar to a collage – something fascinating.

The characteristic green colour of the lagoon is, by the way, due to the occurrence of sulphur, but mainly due to certain marine alga in the water.

Timanfaya National Park.

After another 15 kilometres on the LZ-2 and the LZ-67, we now reach the volcanic heart of the island: Timanfaya National Park. Here we have to pay an entrance fee for the first time on our island tour. However, it is worth it. Please check the opening hours, because according to our information, the last admission is at 5 p.m. However, if you have adhered to the route, we should arrive on time. The visit of the Timanfaya National Park is a perfect highlight of our island route.

Here we can end the day. The lack of vegetation in this bizarre volcanic landscape is compensated by the purity of the red, grey and black colours that can be seen throughout the park. The volcanoes form the horizon. If you feel like it, you can even go on a dromedary ride through the park. Be surprised by the high temperatures that boil just a few meters below the ground: dry leaves or branches thrown into a pit in the ground catch fire immediately.