Lanzarote
Walk - Haria to El Bosquecillo
Starting
point:
Plaza de la Constitución, Haria
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Map
I
have found this to be the best map for both walking routes and driving, from
Discovery Walking Guides Ltd
Lanzarote
Tour and Trail Map 1:40,000 scale
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Distance:
5
miles
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Traffic light rating:
(For explanation see My
Walks page)
More great Lanzarote
Walks
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Click
the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the
photos.
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Introduction:
Haria is a lovely peaceful, white painted
town, set in a valley, basking in the title of “Valley of Ten Thousand
Palms” - or “Thousand”, depending on your reference source! I did not
count them but there are quite a lot! Together with the general greenness of
fertile fields, they make this an attractive area which contrasts with the
more arid nature of much of the island.
This
walk takes you via one amazing viewpoint, Mirador Montaña
Ganda to another at El Bosquecillo, often referred to as
Lanzarote’s only forest. “Forest” is stretching things a bit. Well,
quite a lot actually. The “trees” are more shrubs and it looks as though
many have been destroyed by fire and the remnants chopped off. Nevertheless,
it is a pleasant spot, with fabulous views hundreds of feet down the very
steep drop to Famara, where you can clearly see the paths described in my
Famara walk and across to the islands of La Graciosa and Isla Montaña Clara
beyond. There are picnic tables and built BBQ points.
I
found one of the best aspects of this walk was the final section to El
Bosquecillo, up a stretch of barranco and the return down its entirety, all
the way back to Haria. Here is a myriad of plants, many in flower, the
extent of which I have not seen elsewhere on the island.
I
describe this walk from the Plaza de la Constitución in the centre of Haria
as I do not know exactly where you might choose to park. There is a free car
park, if you can find it! It is off the road to Maguez, along Calle
Encarnacion Rodriguez, no more than two hundred yards from the centre. The
entrance gate is easily missed and the ramp down to it is very steep.
The
going is easy for the most part with just a slight climb for the last
quarter of a mile or so. Nothing which warrants more than a green traffic
light. The return to Haria is all downhill.
There
are no refreshment opportunities en route but it is definitely worth taking
picnic to enjoy on one of the picnic tables at Mirador Bosquecillo.
I came across a
YouTube video from a James Flemming filmed whilst doing this walk. You can
see it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9xQ3hlH2zg
When I
originally publicised this walk, I set a little competition to see who could
be first to send me a photo from this walk, which proved conclusively the
saying; “Many hands make light work”. I am pleased to say that Maggie
Redfern of Cumbria was first and her photo is now below.
Start: The
walk starts from the Plaza de la Constitución, by walking along the road
next to it. According to maps, this is Calle de Longuera but I did not
notice a clear street sign and a local I asked did not know it. I have
indicated the start of the route on the first photo.
Pass
the library. At a cross roads, go straight on, following the sign for
Colegio y Instituto and César Manrique Museum.
At
a junction where the Colegio y Instituto and César Manrique Museum signs
point left, go straight on. This is the Calle Rincón de Aganada.
The
tarmac ends at a ruined house. Bear slightly left here along the gravel
track – it looks almost as though you are going over a bridge.
When
the track divides, take the right hand fork. Fork right at the next split
too. This is recognisable by the large stone in the wall.
You
leave the dwellings behind and around a quarter of a mile further on, pass a
cultivated area with a circular stone structure in the middle, built to
protect some shrubs/small trees. Montaña Ganda, with its communication masts is behind it.
Continue
along this track until it bends sharply left. You are obviously near the
edge of the cliffs here and if you go through the gap in the wall, there is
a fabulous view down to Famara. Beware of the steep drops.
Returning
to the track (turning right from the gap), continue to follow it as it
circles Montaña Ganda, passing some farm buildings below you to the left. The yard was
full of goats when I passed. There are good views along here down to Haria
Ignore
any turns off this track until you get to the point roughly level with the
hairpins on the main LZ-10 road, which is across the valley. Here, the track
bends acutely left (to join the road) and on the right, on the apex of this
bend in the track, you will see a path heading up the barranco (ravine).
This is just to the left of a broader track which was chained off when I did
the walk.
This
broader track is tempting, as an easier passage but it peters out further on
so be sure to take the narrower ascending footpath along the “upper”
barranco section.
Climb
until you reach a cross roads with a broad track. Go straight on here up the
narrow path between the stone walls.
You
pass some picnic tables which indicate you are getting close to the Mirador
Bosquecillo. Stay on the broad track which becomes cobbled. Follow this
left. After a few yards there is a broad track on the right. Here are more
picnic tables, built BBQs and a children’s play area. There is a radar
installation away to the left.
Looking
over the wall nearest the cliff edge, there is a view down to Famara with
the tracks used on my Famara walk clearly visible. To the right are views to
La Graciosa and Isla Montaña Clara.
The
return journey starts with retracing your steps to the apex of the broad
track, referred to above. Cross the track and take the narrow footpath
beyond, down the “lower” barranco section. The start of this can be a
little difficult to spot but it is to the left of the gabions (the wire
baskets full of stones). Once you get started, the path is easy to follow,
along the bottom of the barranco.
As
you get closer to Haria, the path joins a broad track which leads into a
field to the left. You turn right.
Pass
and ignore a broad track off to the left (chained off at the time).
The
track becomes a tarmac road. Follow it down, past the football ground. Go
straight ahead at the road junction.
Follow
the road until it joins the road you walked along at the start of the walk.
Turn right back to the centre.
If you need to buy any
hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking
Store
All information on this
site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any
damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.
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