La Corona volcano in Lanzarote: a natural wonder not to be missed
Would you like to visit one of the most impressive volcanoes in the Canary Islands? Then you must visit the volcano of La Corona, located in the north of Lanzarote, in the municipality of Haría. This volcano is responsible for the malpaís de la Corona, a landscape of petrified lava that extends all the way to the coast.
In addition, inside the volcano are hidden the famous volcanic tubes, such as the Cueva de los Verdes and the Jameos del Agua, which are unique tourist attractions in the world. In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the volcano of La Corona: its history, its hiking route, its curiosities and tips for visiting it. Read on and get ready to discover a natural jewel of Lanzarote!
The history of La Corona volcano
La Corona volcano is one of the youngest volcanoes on Lanzarote, as it originated around 21,000 years ago, during the Quaternary period.
Its eruption was very violent and lasted several months, generating a large lava flow that covered a large part of the north of the island. The lava solidified when it came into contact with air and water, creating the malpaís de la Corona, an irregular and arid terrain, black and reddish in colour, which contrasts with the green of the crops and palm groves in the area.
La Corona volcano has a height of 609 metres and a crater of about 300 metres in diameter, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the island and the Atlantic Ocean. Its name is due to the crown shape of its volcanic cone, which fits into the Guatifay platform, near the Famara cliffs.
The hiking route to La Corona volcano
One of the best ways to get to know La Corona volcano is to take a hiking route around its perimeter and crater. This is a circular route, about 3 kilometres long, which can be done in about an hour and a half.
The difficulty is low to moderate, although care must be taken with the slope and the risk of falling into the crater. The route begins and ends in the village of Ye, located at the foot of the volcano, where you can park your car at the chapel of San Francisco Javier. From there, take the road that goes south, surrounded by vineyards, until you reach the foot of the volcano.
Climb up the western slope, following the path marked with stone milestones, until you reach the edge of the crater. You can walk along the rim, enjoying the views, but with caution, as there is no protection. Descend down the eastern slope, along a steeper and rockier path, until you return to the starting point.
Curiosities of La Corona volcano
La Corona volcano is not only a place of great scenic beauty, but also of great scientific and cultural interest. Here we tell you some of the curiosities hidden in this volcano:
The Origin of Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes
La Corona volcano is the origin of the longest volcanic tubes in the world, which were formed when the lava cooled on the surface but continued to flow inside. These tubes are about 8 kilometres long, of which 1.5 kilometres are submerged under the sea, forming the Tunnel of Atlantis.
In these tubes are the Cuevas de los Verdes and the Jameos del Agua, which are natural caves that have been fitted out for tourism, with lighting, music and art. In the Jameos del Agua, you can also observe an endemic species of blind and albino crab, called Munidopsis polymorpha, which only lives in this place.
Origin of unique natural spaces
La Corona volcano is home to two different natural habitats: the sparse tabaibal and the subterranean ecosystem. The sparse tabaibal is a plant formation typical of arid areas, made up of succulent plants such as the sweet tabaiba, the cardón, the verode and the bejeque.
The subterranean ecosystem is the one that develops in the volcanic tubes, where there is a great variety of species adapted to the darkness, humidity and scarcity of nutrients, such as fungi, bacteria, spiders, insects and crustaceans.
The volcano of La Corona has been witness to the history and culture of Lanzarote. It is known that the majos, the ancient inhabitants of the island, took advantage of the fertility of the volcanic soil to grow cereals, fruit and vegetables. They also took refuge in the caves to escape attacks by pirates and conquerors.
In the 19th century, the cultivation of cochineal, an insect used to obtain a red dye, replaced vines and sugar, which went into crisis. Today, La Corona volcano is a tourist attraction that forms part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park, which includes the smaller islands of Lanzarote, such as La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste.
Tips for visiting the La Corona volcano
If you decide to visit La Corona volcano, here are some tips to help you make the most of the experience.
The best time to go is between October and May, when temperatures are milder and there is less risk of rain. In summer, the heat can be stifling and the sun can burn your skin, so it is advisable to avoid the central hours of the day and to bring sun protection, a hat and water.
To get to La Corona volcano, you can go by car, bus or bicycle:
- If you go by car, you should take the LZ-1 road from Arrecife to Órzola, and then the LZ-201 to Ye.
- If you go by bus, you can take line 9 from Arrecife to Órzola, and then line 7 to Ye.
- If you go by bicycle, you can follow the same route as the car, but bear in mind that there are steep and curvy stretches. In any case, once in Ye, you should park your vehicle at the San Francisco Javier hermitage and follow the path on foot to the volcano.
To hike the La Corona volcano, you should wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on volcanic terrain, which can be slippery and sharp. You should also bring warm clothing, as it can be cold and windy at the summit. Don't forget to bring a camera or mobile phone to capture the spectacular views of the volcano.
And, of course, respect the natural environment and don't leave any rubbish or disturb the wildlife.
