Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands of Spain, is famous for its stunning beaches, but it’s also a hidden gem for hikers. With breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable trails, it’s perfect for those who love active adventures and discovering natural wonders. Here are the top hikes I experienced during my visit this November!
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Fuerteventura Hiking Guide: Best Coastal Walks and Nature Trails
Where to Hike in Fuerteventura
During my four days on Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands of Spain, I focused on exploring the island’s raw and untouched landscapes. While its beaches are world-famous, the island remains less developed in terms of roads and infrastructure compared to other Canary Islands like Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, or Tenerife.
For nature lovers in Fuerteventura, there’s a wide range of hiking opportunities – from scenic coastal walks to dramatic volcano crater trails. At the end of this post, I’ll also share my Fuerteventura hiking map marking all the trails I explored, as well as the ones still on my bucket list for my next visit.
Fuerteventura in November
When I visited Fuerteventura in November, the weather was perfect for hiking (the summer sun can be much more intense). During my stay, it was sunny all the time, and daytime temperatures hovered around 24°C (75°F). Even so, I always tried to start hiking as early as possible, because although midday temperatures seem pleasant, the sun is really intense.
Although this was actually my second time on Fuerteventura, I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy hiking on the island. My first visit had been a quick day trip from Lanzarote in July, and it was quite hot. So before exploring some of the island’s hiking trails this time, I was a bit concerned about how comfortable it would be, given the desert-like terrain and the almost complete lack of shade.
In the end, however, it turned out to be a very pleasant experience. Especially along the coast of Fuerteventura, it was windy even around midday, and that refreshing breeze made being out in the sun surprisingly enjoyable.
Best Hikes in Fuerteventura: Top Trails and Coastal Walks
In this post, I’ll share all the hikes I enjoyed during my trip to Fuerteventura, along with a few other trails that remain on my Canary Islands bucket list for the next visit.
Camino Natural de Fuerteventura to Arco de las Peñitas
Arco de las Peñitas is one of Fuerteventura’s most famous natural landmarks. There are several hiking routes that lead to it, with the most popular one starting from the village of Vega de Río Palmas. On Google Maps, the beginning of this trail is marked as Camino Natural de Fuerteventura: here’s this trail on Wikiloc.
However, there’s very limited parking at the start of the trail. I left my car in the village along the main road and walked to the trailhead instead. Another option is to park at the nearby motorhome parking area (cam. San Juan Torcaz), which is quite convenient.
Most of this hike is an easy and scenic walk along the gorge and the Presa de las Peñitas dam. The final stretch leading up to the natural arch, Arco de las Peñitas, involves a short but steep climb, so it may not be suitable for everyone.
Even if you don’t make it all the way up to the arch, the hike is absolutely worth it. The surrounding landscape is stunning – think oasis-in-the-desert vibes – with dramatic rock formations and touches of green. Plus, keep an eye out for the friendly local squirrels that love to approach visitors in hopes of a snack!
A Coastal Hike from Faro del Tostón to Playa del Hierro
While visiting Fuerteventura, I really wanted to experience a coastal hike. I found the idea on a Spanish website suggesting a walk from the Faro del Tostón lighthouse, near El Cotillo, to Playa del Hierro. This route is actually part of a longer 26 km unpaved coastal road that connects Corralejo and El Cotillo (you can check it out on Wikiloc here), but I only walked the section between the lighthouse and Playa del Hierro. Many travelers choose to explore this area as a scenic drive, but the road is unpaved and quite uneven – so I’ll leave you with a few photos to help you decide whether you’d prefer to drive it yourself.
Playa del Hierro is a popular surfing spot in Fuerteventura, but it’s also famous as one of the island’s so-called “popcorn beaches.” These beaches get their nickname from the rhodolites – pieces of calcareous algae that, once dried, look exactly like popcorn scattered across the shore. Other well-known popcorn beaches on the island include Playa Majanicho and Playa del Bajo de la Burra.
The main challenge with visiting these beaches, however, is that the access roads are unpaved and quite bumpy. Most car rental insurance policies in Fuerteventura don’t cover damage from driving on such roads. To avoid any unpleasant surprises during my trip, I planned my route carefully to skip all the unpaved roads. Therefore, I left my car near Faro del Tostón and walked all the way to Playa del Hierro instead.
The hike took me about four hours in total. For most of the way, you walk along an unpaved coastal track, but the scenery is stunning – rugged coastline, endless ocean views, and that wild Fuerteventura charm. I really enjoyed the route, and it felt great to explore the area safely, without risking damage to my car.
As for Playa del Hierro itself, it was fascinating to see the unique “popcorn” sand up close – I’d never seen anything quite like it before!
Isla los Lobos
Isla de Los Lobos is a small island located near Fuerteventura, and you can reach it by taking a ferry from Corralejo. It’s a popular day-trip destination from Fuerteventura, and most travelers can hike around the entire island in 2–3 hours.
This is the kind of hike I would have loved to do while on Fuerteventura, but I didn’t have enough time. I had, however, seen Isla de Los Lobos from the ferry a few years ago when traveling from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura. Next time, I’m also considering taking a sailing tour around Isla de Lobos, as it has amazing reviews.
A Scenic Walk to the Ajuy Caves in Fuerteventura
The Ajuy Caves are one of the most famous landmarks on Fuerteventura. There’s a short walk to reach the caves, though I wouldn’t call it a hike. The caves themselves are impressive, and according to ancient legends of the Canary Islands, local pirates once guarded many treasures here.
Travelers usually spend around 30 minutes to 1.5 hours exploring the rock formations in the area. I have to admit, I went through it quite quickly, as it was one of the busiest natural landmarks I’ve visited on the island. While the caves were certainly impressive, this coastal walk ended up being the one I enjoyed the least.
Volcano Crater Hikes in Fuerteventura
Beyond the popular hiking routes mentioned above, Fuerteventura also offers several fascinating volcano crater hikes, with Calderón Hondo probably being the most famous one. I visited it during a previous trip, so this time I decided to skip it and instead went to see Fuerteventura’s most iconic mountain of Tindaya: the original aboriginal inhabitants of Fuerteventura considered it a sacred mountain with magical properties.
Tindaya is best admired from the nearby viewpoint, Mirador de Vallebrón, which offers stunning panoramic views of the landscape. However, it’s important to know that Tindaya is considered a national monument, so hiking to its summit is currently not permitted.
Other notable volcanic hikes on the island include Volcanes de Bayuyo, Malpaís de la Arena, and Caldera de Gairía. If you’re planning a hiking itinerary in Fuerteventura, I’d recommend choosing just one volcanic crater hike – the landscapes are quite similar, and each offers a similar kind of experience.
Another popular trail in Fuerteventura worth mentioning is the hike to Pico de la Zarza, Fuerteventura’s highest peak (you can check out the trail details on Wikiloc here) and GR 131 (you can check out the trail details on Wikiloc here).
Coastal Walks in Fuerteventura
If you prefer a long, scenic coastal walk instead of hiking over uneven terrain, there are several great places in Fuerteventura to enjoy a relaxing stroll. Two of the best are the Paseo Marítimo in Corralejo and the Paseo Marítimo in Caleta de Fuste. Both offer beautiful seaside promenades – perfect for families with strollers, a casual walk, or even a jog. There’s also the Morro Jable Promenade, but favorite was the Paseo Marítimo in Caleta de Fuste, as it was quieter than Corralejo or Morro Jable.
Beach walks in Fuerteventura
Another fantastic option for a coastal walk is along Fuerteventura’s long sandy beaches, such as Playa de Jandía or Playa del Sotavento. I did a long walk at Sotavento, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. This beach is famous for its salt lagoon, which, during low tide, becomes separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow sand path.
Walking there felt magical – you’re literally surrounded by water on both sides. However, timing is everything. You can only enjoy this experience early in the morning. I arrived around 9:00 a.m., and by 10:30, as I was heading back, parts of the sand path were already disappearing as the tide came in. It was surreal watching the walkway vanish behind me, swallowed by the rising water.
Another great beach walk might be the famous Playa del Cofete, one of the island’s most beautiful and wild beaches. However, I decided not to go this time because getting there requires about 40 minutes of driving on unpaved, bumpy roads. If you want a stress-free visit to the Cofete beach, I’d recommend going on a guided tour.
Corralejo National Park
Corralejo National Park is famous for its endless sand dunes, often considered some of the most otherworldly and beautiful landscapes in Spain. I visited the area around 4 p.m. and spent a few hours walking among the dunes. It’s also a popular spot for jogging – I saw quite a few people running along the roadside in the evening.
The only downside is that this area can get very hot during the day, making it less ideal for hiking under the midday sun. However, I absolutely loved visiting around sunset. The golden light over the endless sands created an incredibly peaceful and beautiful atmosphere – pure nature therapy.
Read more about the Canary Islands
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Fuerteventura Hiking Map
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- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda and Booking
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
- For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
- Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner and Kiwi
- Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Omio (10% off with code ATC10 for first-time customers)
- Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Discover Cars
- Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Holafly (use ATLIFESTYLECROSSROADS for for a 5% discount)
- Shop My Level8 Suitcase: get 15% off with the code ATC15 here
- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
- Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
- Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)
Love Fuerteventura and had a summer beach holiday there a few years back. Great selection of hikes and good tip about going in November as would be far too hot for me in the summer.
Great guide! I love how you showcase the surprising side of Fuerteventura beyond just the beach scene. The mix of desert landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and volcanic terrain is super interesting!.
Fuerteventura looks incredible for hiking! I love the mix of coastal walks, desert landscapes, and volcanic trails — it’s such a unique island. Your November experience sounds perfect too, with mild temperatures and clear skies. The Arco de las Peñitas trail and the coastal walk from Faro del Tostón to Playa del Hierro look especially incredible. This has now jumped onto my bucket list for an active getaway!