Walk! Lanzarote (Paperback)

There are 32 routes in all, of varying lengths and difficulty, all very well explained. Don't be put off with the authors' pre-occupation with GPS - we don't have one, and using the map sections in the book, and following the very clear route descriptions, we never had any problems finding the paths.

Well worth getting the Lanzarote map which is a companion to the book, as it helps to plan which walks you want to do, and also how to get there. The maps you can buy in Lanzarote aren't very detailed.

We tried a route from this book - The Hidden Barrancos - and we were hooked. We only had 5 days but managed to try another 4 routes. All were brilliant. Great descriptions and clear maps.
Now we are going back to Lanzarote so we can do more of the walks.

The routes are good and very well explained, accompanied by accurate maps and even photographs, some of which can be of great help when finding the route (Eg. The start of the 'Hidden Barrancos' descent!). Congratulations to the authors.

If the book has a down-side it's that the authors feel the need to wrap the walker up in cotton wool. On countless occasions we are unnecessarily warned that the path is 'skittery', on some hill walks we are warned to take rests facing away from the views to protect us from vertigo, or we are sent on the least appealing route to avoid an area which is renowned for its constant wind! Maybe these notes are added to protect the authors from litigation somewhere down the line, but I feel there is nothing in this book that reasonably fit, adequately equipped walkers should not be able to tackle. We're not talking serious mountaineering here, and all the paths can be tackled safely in stout walking shoes - even the 'skittery' ones. People looking for a bit more adventure can find many other tracks leaving and joining the authors' routes which head for the steeper parts of the hills (particularly around Femes).

I recommend the book whole heartedly, but urge the reader to do all the stuff the authors don't recommend: DO take rests whilst looking to the stunning views; When on the Circuit of Haria walk, make sure that you DO take in the peak of Matos Verdes - the view from the top is magnitudes better than that from the authors' recommended viewpoint lower down.

Just one more thing: The Montana Cuervo walk is described as the 'Gem in Lanzarote's Crown'. Impressive it is, but more impressive still is a look into the caldera of Montana Corona just south of Ye - a walk completely missing from the book. Park at Ye church and walk 100 yards back towards the village and then take a dirt road on the right (the gatepost has a 'Pacman ghost' symbol painted on it). A small path leaves this track on the left hand side after about 15 minutes and takes you right up to the lip of the crater. It's an amazing short walk, which can be extended by a 'skittery' wander down into the caldera, or an even more daring scramble around the rim!