Volcan Bayuyo & Calderón Hondo - Corralejo, Fuerteventura

[Chris Mac]

Crater track 01 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
Time for another cheap break in the Canary Islands like we did 3 years ago when staying in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.

This time, the destination was across the water at Corralejo in the north of Fuerteventura and i'd get to enjoy a view of Hacha Grande for the whole week knowing I had sat up there a few years back.

As for walks, well all the bigger volcanic hills are further south but it still left me with the local craters to do and I plotted a route starting and finishing in Corralejo which woould see me traverse a set of craters up to Calderon Hondo, loop around it then head back into town.

Crater track 02 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I set off just after 8am, it was forecast to be cloudy and cooler today so perfect conditions for walking on Mars but I still took an extra bottle of water just to be safe. Footwear was my trail shoes which I knew would be fine for the terrain.

My first stop was the Hyperdino next to our apartment complex where I stocked up on a lunch snack and a few other supplies. I then set off along the roads towards Volcan Bayuyo...
DSC_0001 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

After a while the road ended in a quarry but I could see my path ahead:
DSC_0010 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Through the quarry I pick up a faint track again which soon improves:
DSC_0020 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Suddenyl it's like being in Total Recall... (the 80's original of course):
DSC_0022 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0026 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0030 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm quickly up on the volcanic crater ridge and making my way along to the summit:
DSC_0039 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A very loud "skeeeaa" sound above me diverted my attention as a large Buzzard was enjoying the thermals and hunting nice and early:
DSC_0056 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lock s-foils in attack position...
DSC_0061 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back at Corralejo, Isla de Lobos and Lanzarote:
DSC_0073 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I spoteed another Buzzard calling away and changed lens, managing to get one of my best bird of prey close-up shots yet:
DSC_0094 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking along the ridges:
DSC_0101 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I pass some small cairns and check out the route ahead to the circular Calderon Hondo, this should be fun!
DSC_0105 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0108 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Bayuyo summit:
DSC_0110 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0121 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking south east:
DSC_0123 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

South west:
DSC_0125 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Massive cairn and the view north:
DSC_0131 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Another screech is heard and I spot a third Buzzard, they are loving being out this morning, what a treat!
DSC_0169 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0182 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lajares on the left, Calderon Hondo ahead:
DSC_0215 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A proper crater!
DSC_0218 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The buzzards are still providing aerial entertainment!
DSC_0224 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Trig pillar and cairn:
DSC_0230 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Corralejo and Lobos, Montana La Caldera is also on my to-do list...
DSC_0231 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Knowing and seeing what I have ahead I decide to press on before the midday heat arrives...
DSC_0232 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking down the crater on the other side of Bayuyo where a grou of landrovers and tourists are being noisy... unsure if they are shouting because they see someone up on the ridge or not I give a tentative wave back:
DSC_0235 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I zoom in and hear shouting but i'm still not sure why...
DSC_0236 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking north west towards the smaller craters Montana Lomo Blanco (L) and Montana La Mancha:
DSC_0243 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Right, now I have this lot to negotiate...!
DSC_0249 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

But first a panorama to show some of the other bigger hills further south, although the biggest are at the southern end of the island out of view:
DSC_0250 20180617_094610 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I reach the bottom of the path off Bayuyo and get treated to another extreme close up from one of the Buzzards who turns mid-air about 20 feet away from me before flying off again, wow!

Between the two craters it's time to ascend again up Las Calderas...
DSC_0253 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0258 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking down at the crater floor of Las Calderas, the pointy peak in the distance is the biggest in the northern part of the island, Montana Escanfraga:
DSC_0259 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Yet another buzzard fly-by...
DSC_0261 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Followed by trail bikes down below, it's all happening on Mars 2.0 today!
DSC_0306 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The bikes are on the low level track that I plan to take back:
DSC_0308 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

3 buzzards now circling!
DSC_0309 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0315 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Calderon Hondo is edging ever closer and looks mightily impressive:
DSC_0328 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back along the ridge to Bayuyo:
DSC_0337 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Crater and distant dune sea:
DSC_0338 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Continuing along there is no clear summit but i'm walking along the ridge top anyway so will have been on it at some point. Then a noise... a strange noise... aha the evil goats of Fuerteventura are blocking the end of the ridge!
DSC_0339 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Sounding like something not of this earth...
DSC_0345 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back, I should have descended at this point but I continued along towards the goats:
DSC_0347 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

They were not too chuffed at a human in their territory and started heading down into the crater...
DSC_0350 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm now at a steeper part of the ridge now, hmmm...
DSC_0355 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The goats aren't for budging and I don't want to disturb them more:
DSC_0362 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Exit stage right down a steep volcanic scree slope!
DSC_0364 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm doing this for you...
DSC_0365 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

After some comical screeing i'm soon safely at the bottom:
DSC_0369 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Next up, Caldera Encantada:
DSC_0371 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Crater and the summit of Caldera Rebanada:
DSC_0375 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's a quick easy pull up to the summit of Caldera Encantada:
DSC_0376 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back at Las Calderas:
DSC_0377 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Calderon Hondo, definitely the star of the show so far along with the buzzards, what else will Mars 2.0 have in store for me...
DSC_0380 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Not as dramatic a crater for this one:
DSC_0381 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At the summit of Caldera Encantada looking to Caldera Rebanada:
DSC_0382 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I follow the wall, taking care is there is a fairly steep drop here down into the crater, then it's just another quick pull up to the next summit:
DSC_0385 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0386 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0389 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

This has been fun so far, a complete contrast to the lush green Ochils and Strathyre hills I was climbing the previous weekend!
DSC_0394 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Caldera Rebanada cairn:
DSC_0395 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Caldera Encantada:
DSC_0396 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The route traversed so far:
DSC_0398 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Bigger hills south of the dune sea:
DSC_0406 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lajares and the view south:
DSC_0408 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A enjoy another water break but it's been perfect walking conditions so far and a cool breeze has kept the sweatiness to a minimum. Time to continue on to the big round one:
DSC_0413 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm soon down on lower ground again:
DSC_0416 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The start of the return track is here which I follow briefly, looking back first:
DSC_0418 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Now the easy final section to Calderon Hondo along the carefully constructed but actually quite "trippy" volcanic rock path:
DSC_0419 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Progress is fast despite the occasional stumble or loose rock:
DSC_0425 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path turns left then ascends:
DSC_0429 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Not the biggest or most scenic but they'll do fine for a volcanic holiday stroll!
DSC_0430 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm soon up at the viewing platform at the northern side of Calderon Hondo:
DSC_0431 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

There are a few tourists around so I decide to set off around the crater to the summit to have my lunch:
DSC_0432 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The layers of rock make for interesting scenery as you try to imagine them forming:
DSC_0436 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's an impressive big crater, not quite as impressive as the meteor crater in Arizona but still good enough!
DSC_0439 20180617_121403 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path is actually fairly decent as I continue around...
DSC_0443 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0446 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At the other end is the final part-crater of Montana Colorada:
DSC_0450 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I toy with the idea of adding it in then decide against it, the view is better from here and Iw ant to loop around the crater so i'll have a break here then head back afterwards.

Looking north from Calderon Hondo summit:
DSC_0458 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

East:
DSC_0460 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Montana Escanfraga:
DSC_0463 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Lajares and Distant Tindaya, the sacred volcanic mountain!
DSC_0475 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A few people are lunching on Montana Colarada, I finish my panini and set off again to continue back to the viewing platform:
DSC_0476 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0491 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0492 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Even my wide angle lens was struggling to fit in the whole crater from close up:
DSC_0495 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Back along the crater ridge, not as clear a path at this side compared to the other:
DSC_0509 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0511 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

On the way along I spot movement... now a few days before we had gone for a wander towards the dune sea and ended up taking a path up the side of it, only to be accosted by a large troop of Barbary Ground Squirrels, the amazing wee chipmunk-esque squirrels that are lightning fast, friendly and curious. I knew they liked the mountain habitats too and I had just found another troop up here, brilliant, they are hilarious!

DSC_0518 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0526 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0530 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0534 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Several off them were racing about looking for food but I didn't have any nuts or similar, only later would I find out that they are often looking for water so if you go here and see them, give them a wee drink!

DSC_0544 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0554 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0564 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Chuckling away at their antics I head off again back to the platform and get followed, introducing some more tourists to my new pals as they all get acquiainted with each other!

DSC_0569 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Back down I go towards the track:
DSC_0570 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cheerio wee guys, it's been fun!
DSC_0571 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0572 20180617_125138 by Chris Mac, on Flickr


DSC_0572 20180617_125155 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Not as easy to traverse as it looks!
DSC_0576 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Back at the track i'm informed that it's 8km back into town, no bother:
DSC_0587 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Calderon Hondo from ground level:
DSC_0589 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Progress back along the dirt track is rapid but also thirsty work:
DSC_0592 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I enjoy the view of Playa Blanca on the way, Montana Rojo where we stayed and which I also climbed a few years back:
DSC_0597 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Goat skull:
DSC_0607 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Passing the bulk of Bayuyo now:
DSC_0610 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm surprised to see a few other people on the summit, I didn't think this would be popular considering it hides behind a quarry:
DSC_0611 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

One of many helpful signs on the way informing you of the landscape, flora and fauna:
DSC_0613 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Continuing on and enjoying the view of Hacha Grande now:
DSC_0617 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

As I approach the western crater of Bayuyo I see people and hear another commotion... something is up, surely they don't drive up here to cheer on anyone climbing Bayuyo?!
DSC_0623 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Haha now it all makes sense, it's the wee guys again keeping everyone entertained!!
DSC_0625 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0627 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0633 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It's a fair trek back into town, not as scenic lower down but much easier going until some passing cars throw up a dust storm!
DSC_0644 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Volcan Bayuyo, definitely worth a visit:
DSC_0654 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I head down the tracks into Corralejo again, enjoying the view of Montana La Caldera on Isla de Lobos which I hope to get to before the end of the week:
DSC_0656 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

DSC_0663 by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'm soon back in town and then it's just a long straight back to the apartments and refreshing shower. I'd also enjoy an amazing meal that night to refuel with, Single Fin Burger place, top notch!

So my return to the Canary Islands to hike was great fun again and if you are staying in Corralejo it's well worth getting up Bayuyo and not hard at all expecially if you don't do the full ridge walk. The only dodgy but was the descent from Las Calderas due to the goat obstruction. It's well worth it for the views although they would be topped days later when we visited Isla de Lobos and Montana Caldera...

Although not showing the map, below is the GPX track in case anyone finds it useful or uses it with Viewranger:

5-Volcanic-Craters.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts