How To Do The Caldera De Los Cuervos Volcano Walk in Lanzarote

Caldera de los Cuervos is a unique natural attraction, so if you travel to Lanzarote, you won't want to miss it.

To be honest, I didn't even know of its existence until my recent short winter sun break, despite having visited the island many times over the years. Walking inside the crater of an extinct volcano sounded like a cool activity, so I hastily added the circular Caldera de los Cuervos walk to my 4-day Lanzarote itinerary.

In this post, I tell you how to find Volcán de Cuervo, how long it will take you to explore it, the availability of parking, and a brief history of the crater and volcanic landscape.

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Why you should visit Caldera de los Cuervos in Lanzarote

If you want to experience something out of the ordinary, the Volcán de Cuervo crater walk will be a perfect place for you to visit.

Sitting on the edge of the Timanfaya Volcanic National Park, Volcán de Cuervo blew its top in 1730, continually erupting for six years, leaving a small gap in its side. This was the first cataclysmic eruption in Lanzarote. This gap is now the entry point for visitors to walk inside the caldera and stand in the centre of what would have been a boiling lava lake.

I found walking around the volcano's base and then walking inside it quite surreal. The landscape around Montaña Cuervo is breathtaking, with volcanic mountains. If you haven't been to Lanzarote before, you are in for a treat, and if you have been, I think you will agree that the view never gets dull.

But first things first - How do you get to Caldera de los Cuervos?

It's much easier to find Montaña Cuervo than you would imagine, as it is pretty close to the road. It's marked on Google Maps as Vulcan de Cuervos on the LZ56. After you turn onto LZ56 from LZ30, a little way along, you will see a parking area on your left.

On my visit, there were plenty of parking spaces at the start of the crater walk; however, if you find the main car park full, continue along the road, and several smaller parking areas are available.

Driving along, you may also notice speck-like figures in the distance walking through the lava fields. Don't worry; a well-maintained gravel pathway leads around the volcano, so no scrambling over sharp lava rocks is required for this experience.

Take note that there are no facilities at Caldera de los Cuervos, like toilets or refreshment stalls, so come prepared with water and a snack.

Is the crater walk suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is a mainly flat walk from the car park and around the base of Montaña Cuervo, so it is suitable for all ages, including youngsters. There is a slight descent into the crater along a short gravel path.

Make sure you wear flat, enclosed shoes, as the gravel is uneven in places, and nothing is worse than getting stones in your shoes, especially volcanic ones. We did see one lady walking in flip-flops, or should I say limping around in flip-flops, not a good idea!

Also, dress depending on the weather. I wore shorts, but I topped them off with a lightweight jacket because it was very windy, given the volcano's exposed position. If visiting in summer, wear plenty of sun protection and a hat.

How long will it take to complete the Caldera de los Cuervos walk?

Walking around the volcano's base and into the crater with time to take photographs will take around one hour, but allow an extra 15 minutes each way to get to and from the car park to the start of the caldera walk. For a leisurely walk, allow yourself 90 minutes to fully appreciate the Caldera de los Cuervos.

Which is the best direction to start the Volcán de Cuervo walk?

This is a circular walk, and we chose to go in an anti-clockwise direction because we wanted to save the best until last - the walk inside the crater. It is entirely up to you which way you start the walk; there is no right or wrong way to do it.

What will I see during the Montaña Cuervo crater walk?

Black volcanic gravel, petrified lava rocks and spectacular views of Lanzarote's numerous volcanoes, including the red summit of Montaña Colorada, are guaranteed as you walk around the base of Montaña Cuervo. Lanzarote's ethereal Martian-like landscape will make you feel like you are on another planet.

What can you see inside Caldera de los Cuervos?

Looking down into the crater is really cool, the green hue of the rocks indicating plant life growing in what was once a volcano with a bubbling lava lake at its centre. There's meant to be some evidence of the lava lake height levels on the crater's walls, but even though I looked hard, I couldn't see any. Maybe you will have better luck.

You can walk down onto the main floor of the crater, and from there, volcanic gravel pathways have been created that you can follow. You only need around 10-15 minutes in the crater, but make sure you go down into it and not just view it from above, as it's great to say you've walked inside an extinct volcano!

Is Caldera de los Cuervos worth visiting?

Yes, 100% Caldera de los Cuervos in Lanzarote is worth visiting. If you love walking and being surrounded by a stunning landscape, visiting the Caldera de los Cuervos will be perfect for you. I know it was for me!

And if this has piqued your interest in exploring volcanoes, there are other walks in Lanzarote you might want to do.

Montaña Roja (Red Mountain) in Playa Blanca is a relatively easy walk, which I have done. You walk up to the top of the crater and follow a trail around its rim. Or why not tackle a longer hike up Caldera Blanca, the island's largest crater, or Montañas del Fuego, the dormant volcano at the heart of Timanfaya National Park? It's a tough hike, and you will have to go with a guide, but what a place to say you have hiked. Lanzarote is full of volcanoes, so there's bound to be one that takes your fancy!

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