Get to Know the Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote

An incredible volcanic eruption of the largest proportions took place in, and formed, the Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote. The eruptions lasted six years and started on the first of September in 1730. The Timanfaya Park is found to the southwest of Lanzarote centered around the Montanas del Fuego or Fire Mountains. The eruptions from this group of volcanoes caused devastation to an area of 200 square kilometers. Even though they finished erupting around 275 years ago in many places the ground is still warm to the touch. Dig a little below the surface and ground temperatures can boil water, burn wood and cook food. There is a restaurant and tourist center based in the middle of the Park where guides regularly pour water into a spout to see it return in a jet of steam only seconds later. A few meters away is a pit into which wood is thrown, only too burst into flames. The restaurant cooks food over a deeper hole that returns even higher temperatures.

Access to the Timanfaya Park is restricted to cars and tour coaches, an entrance fee must be paid at the gate. Once inside the park it is like being on the moon. Nothing seems to have changed too much since the eruptions. Volcanic rock is spattered across the landscape as far as the eye can see. When you arrive at the parking area there will be a number of coaches ready to take you on a tour deeper into the most dramatic parts of the park. As the expert coach driver takes you along the small winding roads are tape is played telling you about the history of the area. It takes little imagination to realize what life must have been like when the eruptions were in full swing. Half way through the tour the coach stops for a few minutes in the 'valley of tranquility' which is a valley full of brightly colored volcanic ash. After the tour you are free to wander around and see how hot the earth just below the surface still is. Then you can lunch at the Restaurante del Diablo built on the Islote de Hilario area within the park.

Before the eruptions of 1730 this area was the most populated and fertile area of Lanzarote. Many people were forced to leave the island or hide out in caves. Never able to return to their homes. After a trip to the Timanfaya Park it is easy to imagine how life must have been in Lanzarote hundreds of years ago. Just getting around, finding water and surviving would have been very difficult.

These days getting to Lanzarote and around the island is very easy. Lanzarote is only four hours flight time from the UK. There are a large selection of airlines regularly visiting Lanzarote. Cheap flights to Lanzarote can be found with a little research and a holiday to remember had. The main day to arrive and leave is Thursday. To get to the Timanfaya National Park from your accommodation you will either need to hire a car or take a coach tour. Both options are easily found in any of the main resorts.