Canary Islands walking holiday, El Hierro

Description of Canary Islands walking holiday, El Hierro

With no giant hotels and untouched by mass tourism, El Hierro is the least known of the Canary Islands and the destination for this eight-day self guided walking holiday. Although small, the island has a rich variety of landscapes and this walking holiday explores them all on foot, seeking out the best views and points of hisotircal and cultural interest along the way.

Like its neighbouring islands, El Hierro was formed by vulcanicity and old lava flows and cones of ash are features of this island, although there hasn’t been an eruption here since the 18th century. El Hierro’s central plateau has volcanic scenery, but also lush farmland and Canarian pine forests, while in the north, the lowland of El Gofo is where grapes, pineapples and bananas are grown. It is backed by an escarpment that reaches up to 1500m high and is a wonderful place to walk. With diverse scenery and sites, no two days of walking are the same.

This is a self guided walking holiday, but we provide detailed walking notes and an in depth walking map. You’ll need a good level of fitness to enjoy the walking here. Paths are marked, but can be rocky or loose underfoot and some are very steep, as they head up or descend escarpments. The paths are well constructed, though, so you won’t find any exposed vertiginous sections.

This holiday starts in the small town and capital of Valverde on the central plateau, then winds down to El Golfo and up again, then over to the west of the island before crossing the plateau again. It then descends and the walking ends by the east coast. Luggage is transported from hotel to hotel so you a free to walk with only a day pack. For some of the walks, you’ll also be transported to or from the start or end.

El Hierro has a small population of just 10,000 people and is relatively isolated, so it’s very different in feel to the other Canary Islands. Herrenõs are extremely proud of their island and generally against mass tourism, but they do welcome walkers, naturalists and divers who love and respect the environment. Most people here are Spanish, but most hotel and restaurant staff can speak a little English.