Hiking in Villa de Mazo and connections with Cumbre Vieja

Villa de Mazo within La Palma's trail network

Villa de Mazo, on La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain, has documented walking options linking its mid-altitude areas with the coast and mountains. La Palma Tourism connects Mazo with GR 130 towards Fuencaliente, PR LP 16 and links to Ruta de los Volcanes. They are not one single walk: each route has its own information sheet and needs separate planning.

For heritage, crafts and the coast alongside your walking plans, see things to do in Villa de Mazo.

The municipal network: paths and connections

The town council gathers Villa de Mazo's GR, PR and SL trails in a catalogue with PDF route sheets. These documents describe paths and their connections; the Red de Senderos de La Palma, the island's trail network, publishes current notices.

Find the catalogue and route documents in the municipal trail network.

GR 130: Camino Real de la Costa

The municipal GR 130 sheet describes the Montaña de la Breña–Montes de Luna section and its passage through Villa de Mazo's mid-altitude areas. La Palma Tourism also mentions the connection between Mazo and Fuencaliente. These sources help identify paths linking settlements in the municipality and the south of the island.

Despite the name Camino Real de la Costa, the municipal document places this section inland at mid-altitude. It should not be read as a continuous walk along the shoreline. Study the official map to distinguish the published route from the section you intend to walk.

The municipal route is shown in the GR 130 route sheet (PDF).

PR LP and local trails: from El Pilar towards the coast

For the complete course, consult the island network's PR LP 16 route sheet.

For Camino de la Faya, consult the island network's PR LP 17 route sheet.

Refugio del Pilar–Mazo: a separate route description

La Palma Tourism maintains a page titled Refugio del Pilar–Mazo. It describes a radial path between the refuge area and Villa de Mazo, with vegetation and volcanic scenery, and mentions combinations with other trails. It places Refugio del Pilar between Cumbre Nueva and Cumbre Vieja, in pine woodland.

Check this proposal's map to distinguish it from other routes starting at El Pilar. If considering a combination, identify junctions and the start and finish of each trail.

Read the tourism description on the Refugio del Pilar–Mazo route page.

Cumbre Vieja and Ruta de los Volcanes

Parque Natural de Cumbre Vieja extends through central and southern La Palma and includes land in several municipalities, among them Villa de Mazo. Pine woodland and volcanic formations provide the setting for trails in this area. It is a Natural Park, distinct from Caldera de Taburiente National Park.

Ruta de los Volcanes, the Volcano Route, crosses El Paso, Villa de Mazo and Fuencaliente within Cumbre Vieja Natural Park. La Palma Tourism places its start at Refugio del Pilar and describes a course along the volcanic ridge. Local connections link it with Mazo's trail network.

See the description and downloadable resources for Ruta de los Volcanes on La Palma Tourism.

Before setting out: conditions, weather and conservation

Before every walk, consult trail status and the Cabildo's latest notices. Check every section of a combined route, restrictions in protected areas and the technical details of your chosen trail. Descriptive route sheets document courses; they do not guarantee current access or conditions.

Official advice includes checking the weather, matching the route to your preparation, walking with company and telling someone your plan and expected return. Take water, food, suitable clothing and footwear, sun protection and navigation tools. A charged phone is part of your equipment, but mobile coverage cannot be assumed.

Respect closures and signs, stay on designated paths and protect the surroundings: do not remove stones or plants, or leave litter.

Before choosing your walk, check trail status and island network notices.

For equipment and planning, read the official hiking precautions.