Cumbre Vieja, Stratovolcano in La Palma, Spain
Cumbre Vieja is a volcanic ridge running through the southern half of La Palma island, marked by dark rock formations and scattered vegetation across its slopes. The ridge extends north to south with multiple craters and cinder cones visible along its crest, forming the spine of the southern landscape.
The volcano began documented activity in the 15th century and showed repeated signs of life over the following centuries. After decades of dormancy, new vents opened in 2021 and remained active for three months, reshaping much of the western coastline.
Local communities on La Palma maintain strong connections to the volcano through traditional festivals and educational programs about volcanic activity.
Several trails lead to viewpoints along the ridge, with sturdy footwear needed for the uneven volcanic terrain. Wind and shifting visibility can make ascent more difficult, so checking local weather forecasts is worth the effort.
Recent lava flows created new sections of coastline when they entered the ocean, still bare of vegetation and showing the raw form of cooled rock. Some areas remain closed to visitors due to ongoing seismic activity and gas emissions, reflecting the continuing geological processes beneath the surface.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
