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My sister mentioned she was heading to Fuerteventura for a couple of weeks in January to get some winter sun, and said there was a popular trail near where they were staying. It didn’t take me long to start thinking about flying over for 5 nights and doing the trail with them.
I also managed to convince my brother to come along for the adventure so I would have some company — even though we didn’t end up sitting together on the flight. To be fair, he needed the break too. 😜
My partner, however, was not convinced about the trail hike — it’s definitely not his idea of a holiday 😂
Total Distance: 8 Miles
Steps: ~25,000 Steps
Highest Point: 2648 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~4.5 Hours
The highest point in Fuerteventura is Pico de la Zarza standing at 2648 ft (807 m) in the southwestern part of the island.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuerteventura
The day before the hike, I was slightly worried about getting cramp because of the heat, and my brother-in-law was also concerned about how hot it might be. As it turned out, we had nothing to worry about. We set off early, leaving at 7am after breakfast at 6:30am. I am not one for early mornings mind as I love my sleep. 😂
From the hotel, it took an extra 45 minutes to walk to the trail’s starting point in the dark. The morning was cloudy with a light breeze — almost cold at first — but we soon warmed up. By the time we arrived at the starting point, the sky was beginning to brighten, and we even caught the lighthouse still flashing before daylight properly took over.
The trail itself is easy to follow, running more or less in a straight line from the starting point all the way up to the top of Pico de la Zarza.
We started on the ascent up to pico de la Zarza, we did not see many people near the beginning of the hike, so we had the hills to ourselves. The ascent up was a constant gradual walk. The views along the way were just fantastic, it reminds me of the Lake District, Great Gable or even Great Langdale. We also saw the sun rise and it was a beautiful spectacle.
On the walk to the trailhead, we were treated to some stunning views across Morro Jable.
Start of the trail.
The first part of the ascent up to nearly halfway was quite steep, then it eased off a bit — though not by much.
The final stretch up to the highest point of Fuerteventura was the toughest part of the hike. Up to the trig point, there wasn’t much to see, but once we climbed onto it, the view was breathtaking. From the edge, we could take in the vastness of the sea, the hill that reminded me of Striding Edge, and a pristine, clear beach stretching far into the distance. It was such an incredible sight that I still cannot believe I got to see it for myself — truly beautiful.
Standing at the top of the trig point was a little nerve-racking, with a steep drop on the other side and strong winds whipping around us. Clinging on for safety, I was still completely captivated by the incredible view.
I captured a sweeping panoramic video of the coastline.
I took as many photos and videos as I could while up there, but no image or clip could truly capture the view — you really have to be there to feel how incredible it is. The hike up was absolutely worth it for that breathtaking panorama.
We had been a bit concerned about the trail being too hot, so we started very early to avoid the midday sun. For most of the climb, it stayed cool, and then just as we reached the top, the sun came out — perfect timing. I managed to get all the shots I wanted and more before we headed back down the same route.
The trail had definitely become busier on the way down, and I found the descent tougher on the knees since it was a steady downward slope almost the entire way. The steepest section was near the starting point, which really tested my knees. Luckily, no blisters, just a bit of knee ache!
On the way back, we treated ourselves to a well earned ice cream at Burger King, then stopped at the café by the lighthouse for a drink. I had a pint of lager shandy, and to our surprise, they even gave us a free shot of some creamy liquor to send us on our merry way. 🤪
By the time we got to dinner, we were hobbling a bit from the hike — but a tasty meal and some sleep would set us right. Before heading to dinner, we also strolled down to the beach to catch the sunset. It was such a lovely way to end the day.
Conclusion:
The hike itself wasn’t as tough as we had expected, with a gradual incline all the way to the summit. The hardest part was actually the descent, which took its toll on my knees. Thankfully, I had a couple of days afterward to relax and recover before heading home 😮💨 ☀️🍺🍷.
The day was filled with memorable moments — the early morning walk in the darkness, watching the lighthouse lights as the sky slowly brightened, and the peaceful solitude of the hills. Reaching the trig point at Pico de la Zarza was the true highlight. From the summit, breathtaking views stretched out across the sea, the rolling hills, and the pristine beaches below. Standing there in the wind, taking it all in alongside my sister, brother-in-law, and brother, made the moment even more special.
Perfect weather, amazing scenery, and shared laughs along the way — ice cream stops, drinks by the beach, and a sunset stroll — made this day one we will all remember. Pico de la Zarza wasn’t just a hike, it was a day with family that I will never forget.
Here is a 1 minute 30 second video highlighting the entire trail from start to finish, created from footage shot on the DJI Action 2.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro (for taking photos/videos and mapping using AllTrails)
- DJI Action 2 (on the move video)
- Comfy walking shoes (most important)
- Flask with Hot/Cold drink (a good cuppa is always welcome)
- iBuprofen (helping hand if you have any aches and pains)
- Food and snacks (fuel to keep you going)