Valleys West of Haria

Pleasant Haria lies a tad more than half way up Lanzarote's scenically outstanding northern ridge. 

There are various walks you can make in the area, including to walk the long high ridge south to Teguise.

The best walk in the area is, though, to explore up the two interesting valleys west of Haria, out to the great sea cliffs at the edge of the high island ridge, crossing the low ridge between the valleys to make your return walk. 

Walkopedia started out on the dirt track which leaves the far northern edge of town, winding delightfully up the pretty and interesting Valle de Los Castillejos, the northern of the two valleys, enjoying wildflowers, varying forms of local agriculture, including terracing running high up tough-looking hillsides, and artistic scatterings of tall palm trees. All most appealing.

At the valley end, you can climb straight ahead, to the cliff-edge, then turn left to clamber up a rocky outcrop for huge views. Walkopedia admits (we had already walked for several hours) that we took a slightly earlier track straight up the hillside to the left of the outcrop, with lovely views back down the green between-valleys ridge to Haria. Thence we worked round to the right below the outcrop, across the remains of terraces and slightly eroded hillside, to the edge of the 1,000 ft sea cliffs. BANG (visual explosion time) - especially when looking south along the amazing Risco de Famara cliffs.

We dropped to where the track up the southern Valle del Rincon meets the sea cliffs, turning left to descend steadily down a not-quite-so-interesting valley and back to town. 

This wasn't a long or tough walk - a bit over 4km in about 1.5 hrs including view-salivation time. But it was a delight.

You can extend the walk above by following the view-laden dirt road from the head of the Valle del Rincon south round the flanks of Montana Ganada to join the main road to Teguise, whence you can walk back to Haria, dropping on a shortish stretch of the main road down the steep hill, then striking out on the GR131 back across the Haria basin.

Come prepared, including carrying enough water.

Lanzarote– Sunflower guides: 31 varied walks, including this one. Recommended. Find relevant books on Amazon.

See our Lanzarote page for more general and practical information and photos.

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