Lanzarote Hiking – North | Haría – El Bosquecillo – Haría

This walk begins in Haría, a village situated in the north of the island, an area known locally known as ´the valley of a thousand palms´. During the 17th and 18th centuries, locals had a  tradition of planting palm trees for every child born, one for a girl and two for a boy. It is best to approach the village from the north on the LZ10 from Los Valles where you will be offered amazing views of this tree filled Valle de Malpaso and the village of Haría from above. As you enter the village, via a long winding road down a steep cliff face, leave your car in its centre and head back in a westerly direction from here along Calle de la Longuera which, after crossing over a junction, becomes Calle Rincon de Aganda. This asphalt road will lead you out of the village, past whitewashed houses and towering palm trees. The village is very peaceful, the only sound today being the wind rustling through the palm fronds. The road soon becomes one of loose gravel as you leave the outskirts of the village where you will notice the local college over to your left. The track descends slightly before you come across the ruin of an old house ahead of you. At this point bear left and start walking gradually uphill. On both sides of the track are volcanic stone walls, and as you proceed up the valley you will notice that the earth on the surrounding hillsides is a burnt red colour, speckled with solitary palm trees. You will pass a flat faced metal marker featuring the number nine as you continue up the track towards three private residences nestled on the valley floor to your left.

As you begin a gradual ascent up the picon covered track, you will see to your left, a circular structure built out of volcanic stone housing citrus fruit trees, their green leaves protruding over the top of the wall adding a splash of colour to the dark, picon field where it is located. You can see on the valley sides, that volcanic walls that have been built horizontally across them around their curves, to prevent soil erosion during both the rainy and windy periods of the season. Ahead of you as you progress, you will see a volcanic wall with a small gap in it. As you reach this opening, step through  it onto  the rocky ground beyond (2km). Here, behind low volcanic walls, you have the most amazing panaramic view of the Atlantic ocean, to your left the steep faced Mirador, down to the beaches and village of Famara and along the coastline. Slightly inland, you can also make out the jagged rimmed volcano at Sóo.

From here, step back through the wall where ahead, you will be offered a view back down the valley where the village of Haría lies. Continue following the track to your right as it begins a gradual ascent. As you walk you will notice to your left, behind the ridge, the summit of Monte Corona, standing at 609m. As you progress you will come across a goat farm lower down the hillside to your left and when you glance down towards Haría you can catch a glimpse of  the ocean further behind on the east coast  The track bears right as you head along the side of the valley with low volcanic walls on either side of your path. As you look across the valley to your left, you will see the winding road that you descended down from the top of the Mirador de Haría. Soon you will pass to your left (2.1km), a small cluster of buildings and a group of palm trees. Here, to your right, there is an option to take a narrow track up the side of the mountain which is signposted with a small wooden arrow.

As you walk along the Malpaso Valley, you will notice ahead of you that its sides are scattered with pine trees and you will begin a gradual descent towards them. Here you will find yourselves at a cross roads (3.7km) where the right hand trail, signposted Barranco de Malpaso, heads upwards towards the base of these pines. Turn up this narrow gorge and being ascending the trail. This can become quite steep at times and rocky underfoot. There are small shrubs surrounding the track with lichen covered stones providing a pale green contrast to the sand coloured soil around. You can see to your right that bushes and trees have taken root in the gorge floor due to the water available here during rainy periods. You will notice also within the gorge that volcancic stones, held together with metal wire, form large blocks providing steps for any flowing water, even if this is a rare occurance. After climbing up the winding path along the gorge, you will come across a narrow road (4.2km) (56 mins). Cross over, and continue your ascent until you reach a volcanic stone wall where you turn right and progress along a wide dirt track. You are now reaching the summit of Montaña de Haría. To your left, you will notice bushes and shrubs along with seedlings, protected by plastic nets, and a scattering of wooden picnic benches. Meander along this dirt track until you reach a rough tarmac road. Cross over, stepping over a small wall, and continue to your left up a rocky hillside. Below you to your right is the vast expanse of the Atlantic ocean and seagulls glide on the air currents along the cliff below.

Ahead of you, you will notice the radar station perched high on the summit of the mountain. Within this area ahead of you are picnic benches and BBQ´s nestled between the shrubbery with some picnic benches being located closer to the edge of the cliff face. Here it is time for you to stop and relax for a while, enjoy the breathtaking view, and your picnic if you have chosen to bring one. Glancing along the coast to your right, you are offered a glimpse of our neighbouring island, La Graciosa, part of the Archipelago Chinijo, with its Montaña Amarilla glowing with deep yellow and red colours close to its southern coast.

To return, you need to follow your steps back down the way that you ascended, taking care not to slip on any loose rocks underfoot. The views back down the valley are extremely rewarding with Haría nestled at the bottom of the Malpaso Valley. On reaching the crossroads at the foot of the gorge, cross over the dirt track, and continue straight ahead down a few rocky steps. The rocky gorge continues as you descend,  meandering back down the valley, on occassion you can pick up the sweet aniseed scent of wild fennel as you walk. The path at times can be slightly overgrown on each side with these plants, shrubs and wild grasses but they are easily moved aside. Soon, to your left, you will see a small, wall enclosed vineyard (6.5km) (1hr 33mins) being, obviously, carefully maintained by its owner. The dusty track continues its descent turning into one of tarmac as you turn right, until you come to the onset of the village again with, on your right hand side, individual areas of vegetable plants and fresh geraniums.

As you stroll back into the village, you will notice the village football stadium to your right as you walk. Continue over the junction ahead, where you will see a phone box to your left. Take time as you stroll to admire the individual gardens infront of the whitewashed houses, some with fruit trees, others abundant in flowers. Bear left at the next junction (8.5km) (1hr 50mins) and continue along this road, meeting up again with Calle Rincon de Aganda. Turn right and make your way from here back to your car, enjoying the peace and tranquility of this, the ´valley of a thousand palms´.

I hope that you enjoy this walk and the wonderful views and scenery that it offers. If you would like to find out more about me and what I am doing here on the island then please subscribe to my RSS feed so that you will receive posts as I add them to my blog. You may also feel like trying another walk here in Lanzarote, maybe something in the south of the island? Enjoy

Tags: el bosquecillo, Haria