Timanfaya National Park Spain travel guide and attractions
Timanfaya National Park is a Volcanic Park on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
Visit Timanfaya National Park , Spain
Between 1730 and 1736 a series of volcanoes erupted on the island of Lanzarote. These volcanoes are known as the Fire Mountains (Montanas de Fuego) and are one of the most important parts of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which covers the whole of Lanzarote. The Fire Mountains are in the Timanfaya National Park which has been set up to protect this unique area.
The entrance to the park is near the village of Yaiza. Once in the park you can take a short camel ride up one of the volcanic slopes for views across the parks. There are parts of the park that you can drive through to view the eerie alien landscape up close.
Then when you get to Islote de Hilario you can take a coach trip around parts of the park inacessible to cars (the price is included in the entrance fee). Guides at Islote de Hilario demonstate that one of the volcanoes, the Timanfaya volcano is far from extint. Branches pushed into crevises burst into flames and water poured into boreholes errupts as steam. There is also a restaurant, the El Diablo restaurant, with fabulous views over the park. Cooking at the restaurant is done using the heat of the volcano - a cast iron grill is placed over a hole in the ground! Food is typical Canary cuisine.
There are a couple of walks that you can do in the park, these are guided walks and you need to book in advance.
For more information and photos visit wikipedia Timanfaya National Park.