Lanzarote is the northernmost of the -Spanish- Canary Islands and lies about 100km off the coast of Morocco. It belongs politically and linguistically to Spain. Most of theinhabitants live in Arrecife, which is the capital, though holidaymakers usually stay in one of the three main resorts: Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise.

The island's main attraction is Timanfaya National Park. The impressive fields of solidified lava that make up this island convert Timanfaya into the land of the volcanoes. Different volcanic eruptions and magma activity throughout its history, make this land what it is today. The sheer diversity is what makes it such an astonishing wonder of nature: seas of lava, mountains of volcanic ash and volcanic craters themselves create a remarkable landscape of different shapes and colours.

Although the volcanic activity has stopped in Lanzarote, researchers are still studying the micro earthquakes that happen on the surface of the Earth's crust, of interest for scientists but harmless for the island people. On the contrary, thermic anomalies are amusing for the visitors who can watch a bit of water introduced in a hole on the ground becoming a geyser of boiling steam in seconds, due to a magmatic camera situated three kilometres deep down that reaches from 100 to 200 degrees centigrade on the surface. The area where the volcanic experiments are carried out (in front of the restaurant in Montañas de Fuego complex) is a bit difficult because of the pebbles, but you will have the chance to watch the experiments having a little distance.

The architectural complex of Montañas de Fuego is another of the space works of César Manrique, who converted the building into another element of the landscape when he covered it with volcanic rock and glass. The dining room, of circular plant, offers wonderful views of the lunar landscape. Entrance to the bar-restaurant is level (once inside there's a step to access the dining area) but some of the outside areas feature volcanic stones firm and are not even. There are adapted toilets in an adjacent building.

On the Timanfaya area, declared National Park in 1974, ICONA and The Council of Lanzarote organize the visits along the areas of Montañas de Fuego on the volcano itinerary. The guided bus tour departs from the "Hilario's Plateau", next to the Bar-Restaurant and there are accessible/adapted buses. The way from the car park to the bus stop is quite steep but wheelchair users/disabled visitors may park next to the restaurant area. A tour is starting every ten/fifteen minutes and the duration is about 35 mins. Mind that not all buses are adapted, so you might have to wait until the adapted one returns to the starting point.

Mancha Blanca & Timanfaya Interpretation and Visitors' Centre

The Centro de Interpretación y Visitantes Mancha Blanca is the place where to learn and understand more about volcanism; it is located at the park boundaries a few kilometres further north on the way to the Mancha Blanca village. Opened in 1996 right in the middle of lava fields, this visitor's centre and museum can definitely be considered among the most interesting sights of this Park. Its modern architecture based on local tradition blends perfectly with its surroundings. By means of hi-tech multimedia equipment and interactive exhibits, the nature of the park's natural heritage and the working of volcanoes are explained. All levels (most the exhibitions are under ground level) are wheelchair accessible though there's no wheelchair access to the Eruption hall where simulated eruptions take place. There are accessible viewpoints: a 138 mts accessible walkway onto the lava fields becomes an impressive "moonwalk". There is also an accessible library as well as an accessible souvenir and bookshop.
An adapted toilet is available at the Mancha Blanca Visitor's Centre too. Individualized and personal assistance is offered to those disabled visitors who may need it: the staff (including official park guides) has been trained on assistance to impaired visitors. This service is provided on request.

Montañas del Fuego
Visiting hours: 9:00 - 17:45h (Last guided bus tour: 17:00h)
Restaurant: 12:00 - 15:30h Bar: 9:00 - 16:45h
Carretera a Playa Blanca - Yaiza
Tel: +34 928 840 057 and + 34 928-84 00 56
Fax: +34 928 173 788

Mancha Blanca & Timanfaya Interpretation and Visitors' Centre
Ctra. LZ-67, Road from Yaiza to Tinajo , km 11,50
Mancha Blanca (Tinajo).
Tel/Fax: +34 928-84 08 39.
Visiting Hours:
Daily from 9:00 to 17:00 h
Entry is free.
E-mail: manchablanca@oapn.mma.es
www.mma.es/parques/lared/timan/ (official website in Spanish)

 

Rebecca Arce