Looking from Corralejo towards the south, you won’t miss an impressive “table mountain” with a huge flat plateau on the right and a peak on the left. That’s Escanfraga, one of the most iconic volcanoes in northern Fuerteventura. It’s easy to hike and has spectacular views, so it’s worth putting on your hiking list!
Important: This hike is not available from February 15 to July 31 as the trail is closed for bird nesting season.
Escanfraga is the highest volcano on the island since Pico de la Zarza. Fuerteventura’s highest peak (on the Jandia peninsula) is of volcanic origin but not a volcano.
The hiking trail begins in Villaverde, next to a small dirt parking lot. The first part of the trail leads along the terraces that you’ll have to leave on your right; soon, a trail turns left and takes you up to the plateau in about 30-40 minutes. I’ve seen people doing it with mountain bikes, too. The first part of the trail is very easy and suitable for kids.
From the plateau, you’ll have the most beautiful view of the north and Lobos Island and Lanzarote on clear days. Although the hike to the plateau is already a great experience, you can continue for about 15 more minutes and reach the top, which is even more rewarding.
You can hike up to the top from both sides of the slope; the left is a bit more straightforward, sandy, and, for my taste, a bit too slippery, although doable. Nevertheless, I prefer to go up (and also down) from the right side (as in the photo below), where the slope might look a bit dangerous from a distance, but when you’re there, you’ll see it’s made of quite easy-to-climb rocks, which I prefer to the sand trail. Nevertheless, this part of the hike requires basic climbing skills and shoes with a very good grip, so I don’t recommend it to hiking beginners. You can also make it circular since there are two ways to go up and down.
NOTE: The upper part of the mountain, from plateau to top, is a protected bird-nesting area. For this reason, this part of the mountain is closed to the public from February 15th to July 31st.
Escanfraga hike info:
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: the first part, up to the plateau, is easy and suitable for kids. The second part, from the plateau to the peak, requires basic climbing skills.
Hight: to hike Escanfraga, you’ll only have to hike an altitude difference of around 260 meters, although the summit rises to 530 meters above sea level, making Escanfraga the highest volcano on Fuerteventura. The altitude difference between the parking lot and the plateau is 200 meters.
Requirements: bring water and sunscreen; hiking shoes are recommended, but up to the plateau you’ll be fine with sneakers with a good grip, too.
How to get to the beginning of the hiking trail: by car, or by bus nr. 8 from Corralejo (bus stop near the bakery Mi Dulce Hogar) and then walking for 10-15 min to get under the mountain.
Parking location/trail beginning
