Calderon Hondo is one of eight volcanoes in Fuerteventura’s rugged north. Formed over 50,000 years ago, the eruptions not only shaped Fuerteventura but also created Lobos Island and brought the north of Fuerteventura closer to Lanzarote.
Calderon Hondo is 278 metres high with a crater that’s 70 metres deep, and climbing to the summit was one of the highlights (quite literally) of my time in Fuerteventura. If you fancy following in my footsteps, read on for everything you need to know about the volcano, how to get there, the different routes to the top, and other handy tips.
Where is Calderon Hondo?
Calderon Hondo is in the north of Fuerteventura in the municipality of La Oliva, just over 5 miles (8.6 kms) from the popular tourist resort of Corralejo.
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Getting to Calderon Hondo
The closest town to Calderon Hondo is Lajares, a small village of less than 2,000 inhabitants with a laid-back feel. If you have time to explore before your hike you’ll find lots of art and crafts shops as well as ones selling surf gear (not surprising, given its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean).
If you want to grab something to eat before you start your hike I can highly recommend a stop at La Paneteca, a lovely bakery/coffee shop on the corner of Calle Coronel Latherta Gonzalez Hierro. Their coffee is tasty, as are the pastries, and if you’re on a self-catering holiday take a loaf or two of their bread with you. The focaccia is delicious!
By car
Driving is the easiest way to get to Calderon Hondo. We hired a Citroen C3 with Discover Cars to explore the island from our base in Caleta de Fuste on the east coast. From Caleta de Fuste to Lajares it was a drive of around 40 minutes and, if you’re staying in Corralejo, you can easily drive to Lajares in less than 15 minutes.
There are three routes to the top of Calderon Hondo so you need to decide which one you want to take as this will determine where you park your car. I’ll explain each in more detail but, in short, route one is the easiest and fastest way to the top so, if your time is limited you might want to opt for this route. In this case, park your car at Parking Volcan Calderon Hondo on Camino Calderas.
Bear in mind that this is an unsealed road so, if you have a hire car, drive slowly and carefully to avoid damage to the vehicle.
Routes two and three share a starting point at Aparcamiento Sendero Volcán Calderón Hondo at the start of Camino Calderas.
You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the camel parking area!
Opting for either of these routes will add a few miles to your walk but it’s worth it to appreciate and enjoy the volcanic landscape.
By bus
Depending on where you’re staying in Fuerteventura you may be able to get a bus to Lajares.
From Corralejo, Line 08 runs to El Cotillo via Lajares regularly throughout the day.
From Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura’s capital, Line 07 has several services during the day.
On foot
If you’re planning some long-distance hiking while in Fuerteventura then it’s worth noting that stage 2 of the GR 131 between Corralejo and La Oliva passes close to Calderon Hondo so it would be possible to make a detour to the summit.
Climbing Calderon Hondo
As mentioned already, there are three possible routes which I’ll explain below. Whichever you choose, the trail is well maintained and not too difficult as long as you’re suitably prepared.
Route One
This is the shortest route so, if your time is limited or you have small children, this is the one for you.
From the parking area, simply follow the dirt path (it’s edged with stones so you can’t get lost) to the foot of the volcano. From the base it’s an easy, and well defined, trail to the summit.
A path made of volcanic stones has been laid for much of the way so no scrambling or climbing is required.
In all, you should be able to reach the top from the car park in 30 minutes or less.
Once you’ve reached the summit there’s a small viewing platform where you can look into the crater of the volcano.
Routes two and three share a start point and can be done as a circular route which is what we chose to do (route three up and route two down). If you prefer an easier uphill climb then simply do it in reverse.
From the car park follow the path until you reach a fork in the road.
Route Two
This takes the right-hand path, which is well marked and less steep than route three and will eventually join route one climbing the southern face of the volcano.
For around 1.5 miles (2.5 kms), the path is over volcanic rock known as the malpais. It’s mostly level until you reach the base of the volcano (and join up with route one) ready to start the climb.
From the car park to the top should take around 45 minutes depending on your speed (and how often you stop to take photos!).
To the west of Calderon Hondo, you’ll notice a reconstruction of an old goat herder’s hut which is worth a detour. There are wild goats all over Fuerteventura (although we didn’t see any on the day we climbed Calderon Hondo).
If you’re interested, you can actually go hiking with goats in the south of Fuerteventura. A walk not to be missed!
Route Three
This takes the left-hand path which means you will be climbing the western face of the volcano. This is the longest route along an undulating dirt track, steep in parts but nothing too difficult. Unlike the other two routes you won’t reach the summit near the viewing platform so, if you want to take one of the other routes down you’ll need to walk around the rim.
Reaching the summit of Calderon Hondo
You did it! You’ve reached the summit. Whether you took routes one and two and arrived at the viewing platform, or tackled route three and arrived further round the rim of the summit you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views.
From this vantage point you have an impressive view over the north of Fuerteventura as well as Lobos Island and Lanzarote.
Turning back to look into the crater you’ll see yellow traces of sulphur among the browns and rusty red colours.
At 70 metres deep make sure to watch your footing at the top particularly if it’s windy!
Walking around the rim of Calderon Hondo
Once you’ve enjoyed the fantastic views from the summit you might want to walk around the perimeter of the rim before you start your descent.
Weather permitting, I’d definitely recommend it, but you must take care as the path is narrow, very rocky, there are no railings, and the wind can be fierce at the summit.
The day we reached the top was unbelievably windy so to say the walk around the rim was hair-raising was an understatement. In fact, we didn’t make a full loop but instead walked around half of it until we reached the viewing platform. This meant that we could easily follow the path (route two) back to our car.
Guided tours to Calderon Hondo
If you prefer to visit Calderon Hondo with a guide there are a few tours to choose from and some will also include visits to other parts of Fuerteventura including the town of El Cotillo.
Responsible Hiking
Be mindful of the environment and make sure that you practice responsible hiking.
- Stick to the designated trails to minimise any impact on the ecosystem.
- Take any litter home with you.
- Take only photos and leave only footprints. Don’t stack stones however tempted you may be.
- Respect the wildlife.
- Be considerate of other hikers.
The chipmunks of Fuerteventura
At some point during your climb to the top of Calderon Hondo you’ll encounter the cute chipmunks which have made their home in Fuerteventura.
They’re actually Barbary ground squirrels and were introduced to Fuerteventura in 1965. As they have no predators on the island their population has multiplied and there are now over a million of them. They’re considered an invasive species, damaging native plants and animals so, while they may look cute, they’re not so don’t feed them.
What else is there to see near Calderon Hondo?
If you’ve hired a car then it’s worth exploring the north of the island after you’ve climbed Calderon Hondo.
We climbed the volcano in the morning and then spent the afternoon visiting other parts of Fuerteventura.
Majanicho
Majanicho is a tiny fishing village a 20-minute drive from Calderon Hondo. There’s not much there other than a few fishermen’s houses and a small church but you can walk along the beach and discover the rhodoliths, which are algae fossils which look like popcorn, and are prevalent in this part of Fuerteventura.
If you want to see more of the rhodoliths you can visit Playa del Bajo la Burra which is known as Popcorn Beach. From Majanicho it’s a 10-minute drive down an unsealed road.
Corralejo sand dunes
The Parque Natural de Corralejo is a vast expanse of sand dunes starting near the town of Corralejo and stretching down the eastern coast.
The FV-104 runs through the dunes and there are plenty of parking spaces so you can head into the dunes to explore or, if you fancy a dip, head to one of the beaches in the area. You might even fancy a dune buggy tour.
Frequently Asked Questions about Calderon Hondo
How much does it cost?
Unless you’re on a guided tour it’s absolutely free to climb Calderon Hondo.
How far is the climb to the top?
How far you’ll walk depends on which route you take. The circular route that we took was roughly 3.5 miles (5.6kms) in total which included walking part way round the rim and visiting the reconstruction of the goat herder’s hut on the way back to the car.
How long does it take to walk?
Again, this will depend on which route you take, whether you do a circular route or a straight there and back, and whether you decide to walk around the rim, but allow a couple of hours so that you have time to enjoy the views from the top.
How difficult is the walk?
The paths are well maintained so it’s not a difficult walk, but the ground is rocky and uneven so it’s not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
When is the best time to go?
You can visit Calderon Hondo all year round but, if you’re going to climb in the summer months, you should avoid the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest.
The sunsets from the top of Calderon Hondo are supposed to be spectacular so it’s worth considering climbing later in the day to watch the sun set. Just make sure that you don’t stay too long at the top – I can’t imagine it’s much fun following the path back down in the dark!
Is it suitable for children?
We saw a few families on the day we walked. Most were taking the easier of the routes which would suit very young children, but as long as you go slow and avoid the midday sun, then older children should have no problem with the longer routes.
What should you take with you?
There are a few important items to consider before you climb Calderon Hondo.
Footwear. It’s a rocky path so make sure you wear trainers or hiking shoes with a good grip as there is lots of loose volcanic gravel underfoot.
Water. Even though it’s a fairly straightforward hike there are no water sources so make sure you have a good supply of water with you. I love my Chilly’s bottles which keep water cold for 24 hours (ideal for the hot Canarian weather). I also have a backpack with a water bladder insert which I use for longer hikes.
Sunscreen. Fuerteventura is hot even during the winter months (there’s a reason it’s a popular place to escape to for some winter sun) so always wear a sunscreen with a high SPF. It’s even more important when climbing Calderon Hondo as there’s absolutely no shade on the hike.
Warm clothing. Fuerteventura is windy so think about sticking a hoodie or light jacket in your backpack.
Phone and/or camera. Apart from capturing the stunning views from the top of Calderon Hondo, you’ll also want to get some photos of the chipmunks.
Hat and sunglasses. The sun is strong in Fuerteventura so something to protect your head and eyes is essential.
You might also enjoy Hiking with goats in Fuerteventura.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this – please feel free to drop a comment below if you have any questions.
Happy hiking!
Fuerteventura Essential Information
Getting to Fuerteventura
There are regular flights from all over Europe as well as ferry services from other Canary Islands.
Where to stay in Fuerteventura
Visitors to Fuerteventura are spoilt for choice about where to stay with places to suit to suit all budgets and tastes.
Corralejo in the north of the island is popular with tourists thanks to the long golden beaches and sand dunes. In the south of the island, Costa Calma is a popular choice. However, we’ve been to Fuerteventura a few times now and stay in Caleta de Fuste each time. It’s close to the airport which is very handy and has a lovely (man-made) sandy beach as well as plenty of bars and restaurants.
Broncemar Beach Suites is close to bars and restaurants and only a short walk to the beach. We stayed in a self-catering apartment here although half board, full board and all inclusive options are available.
Hotel Ereza Mar faces the Atlantic Ocean and is a short walk past the Marina to the beach and town centre. We stayed here on a bed and breakfast option, but full board and all inclusive is also available.
Barcelo Fuerteventura Mar is close to all the action and the beach is easily accessed through the manicured gardens. My in-laws stay here every year and rate it highly. Various board options are available.
Getting Around Fuerteventura
The public transport network in Fuerteventura is very good but, to get off the beaten track, it’s worth hiring a car. We used Discover Cars and hired a Citroen C3 to explore the island.
Currency
It’s worth considering an international debit card which enables you to spend abroad without having to worry about unfavourable exchange rates. A Wise account gives you access to more than 50 currencies and also enables you to withdraw up to €200 per month free of charge at ATMs abroad.
Travel Insurance
I never travel without taking out insurance. You might think you don’t need it but you never know what can happen so it’s better to be safe than sorry. I use Globelink International who offer value for money insurance for travellers worldwide.
Get Your Guide offers hundreds of tours and activities in Fuerteventura.
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Have done a lot of hiking but up a volcano is yet to be accomplished so far. I like that is has a few options of hike as well as family friendly.
The fact that it has a few options to reach the summit is very appealing, especially in the heat of Fuerteventura! We saw a good mix of people on the day we hiked it including a couple with a very small baby in a sling so it’s definitely one for all the family!
Hiking around Calderon Hondo would be something of interest to me, and I’m happy to read this is free to explore! The hiking paths look well laid out, obvs getting a bit steeper and more rocky towards the top. I would totally arrive by camel just o use the parking spot.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I would absolutely love to see you ride into the village on a camel Carolin! :o)