Fuerteventura’s mountains are fairly low; the highest peak, Pico de la Zarza, only reaches 807 meters but offers a beautiful, easy hike and some of the most beautiful views on – and of – the island. Also, it counts as one of my Top 3 favorite hikes on Fuerteventura.
Pico de la Zarza is the highest peak of the massive mountain range between the western and eastern coast of the Jandía peninsula at the southern part of Fuerteventura within the Jandía Natural Park. If you’re visiting Cofete and look behind, towards the mountains, it’s there. However, the trail to reach the summit doesn’t start in Cofete, but on the other side, in Morro Jable.
The easiest way is to park the car at the parking close to the golf course and keep walking a wide trail, which is also suitable for 4×4 vehicles. You’ll be following this trail for quite a while, approximately for an hour or so; eventually, you’ll come closer to the upper part of the mountain, where the wide car-trail narrows and becomes a proper hiking trail leading up to the summit.
Just before the summit, you’ll find a fence with a door that might appear closed. Don’t be discouraged – you’re on the right path; just open it, enter, and close it behind you. You’re in the protected Jandía Natural Park with some endemic species growing there, and this is how they’re protected from the goats roaming around and having them for lunch.
You’ll need another 30-45 min for this part until you reach the summit and enjoy the most beautiful view of the wild west coast. On top, there’s enough room to roam around; however, there’s no fence there at the end of the peak’s plateau, so being too brave (with taking photos) can quickly take you down the vertical slope. The trail leading up is well-maintained, safe, and comfortable. The area on top is big enough to feel safe, too; you can stay at least a couple of meters away from the edge and still enjoy all the beauty of this impressive landscape, but make sure to use your common sense and don’t push the limits.
Although you’ll find very different information regarding the time spent on this hike, I find most of them slightly exaggerated. At one point, I went up with a group of moderately fit adults and one 12-old kid, and we made it without any stress, taking a ton of photos and spending around half an hour on top in less than 5 hours total.
Fuerteventura is well known for its beautiful sunny weather, but the conditions at this mountain can be a bit particular; it wouldn’t be rare to find its summit in clouds, although the rest of the island is sunny. Also, the wind up there can be relentless. I recommend hiking in the morning, bringing proper clothes (wind stoppers and caps) and enough water, and double-checking the local weather. If you see the mountain covered in clouds, try to go some other time. Also, although the hike is beautiful, the view is a real treat. You won’t see much in foggy conditions, and it would be a pity.
Pico de la Zarza hike info:
Duration: 4-5 hours in total
Difficulty: moderate; since you’ll be walking for around 4-5 hours, some basic fitness is required.
Requirements: bring enough water, sunscreen, and hiking shoes; make sure also to bring a Windstopper and a cap; check the weather and don’t go up if the peak is covered with clouds. Please keep in mind the weather changes quickly up there, and it can be dangerous to roam around the summit in fog or low visibility.
