When Lanzarote has been drenched a good few times, gardeners, farmers and sightseers enjoy a brief paradise of greenery and flowers. A wide range of daisies, vetches, violets, mustard, bugloss and other flowers pop up during this brief period. Here’s where you can spot them.
FAMARA CLIFFS
The Famara cliffs are home to the greatest variety of species on Lanzarote, and at this time of year they are literally bursting with life and vitality. Head up to the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves and amble down the track that leads down to Teguise. You’ll find one of the most delightful landscapes on Lanzarote, with aeoniums, wild fennel, thistles and much more. Other great areas to discover the fauna of the Famara cliffs are the Mirador at Yé, and El Bosquecillo
LLANOS DE MÁGUEZ
The walk down through the meadows of Máguez is one that most Lanzarote schoolchildren have done on school trips. It’s chosen for educational visits because of its range and variety of wild flowers and grasses, but it’s an absolutely charming walk in its own right, which also passes through tumbledown cactus fields and more recent plots of agricultural land. If you’re lucky, you may spot a mighty Egyptian vulture, too.
VALLE DE MALPASO
The hairpin bends leading down into the Valle de Malpaso are an unforgettable aspect of any trip to Haría, but it pays to pull over in one of the parking places and explore the hillside. This is one of the places where aeoniums, those strange Canarian succulents, are the most widespread, and also a hotspot for Canarian daisies and many other local species.
PRESA DE MALA
The dam at Mala is the largest concentration of fresh water on the island following heavy rains, and never fails to burst into bloom as the waters subside. This large pool of fresh water means that the dam is also a magnet for bird life. Take care on the dam structure itself, but don’t forget to explore the barrancos above and below the dam, where you’ll find flowers and plants galore.
BARRANCOS
Barrancos are gullies that channel rainwater down to the sea, and some of the examples on Lanzarote are ancient, dating back thousands of years. This water means that they’re also packed with plant life following the rains.
Try exploring the barrancos that lead down from the hills of Femés to the sea, or head into the little-known Barranco de Tenegüime, a protected marvel of nature that lies between the heights of Los Valles and Guatiza.
One word of warning: stay clear of barrancos in heavy rain, as they can become raging torrents for short periods.
CALDERAS
Volcanic craters are another naturally protected area on Lanzarote which also turn green when the rains fall. It’s worth heading into a few calderas following the rains just to get an idea of how rich their wildlife can be. We’d recommend the Montaña Caldereta, Montaña Teneza, the Volcán de Tamia and the Caldera Riscada.
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