There are many beautiful hikes in Gran Canaria, and the Caldera de Bandama is one of them! In this travel guide, we’ll show you how to get to the volcano hike in Gran Canaria from Las Palmas and anywhere else on the island.
Hiking the Caldera de Bandama can be done on a half-day trip from Las Palmas by public bus or Maspalomas and you can also drive here yourself by rental car.
The Caldera de Bandama is a huge pit formed when a volcano erupts and then collapses on itself. A Caldera is a type of crater, but is named caldera only due to the volcanic collapse.
So when you visit the Caldera de Bandama (the largest volcanic caldera of Gran Canaria), you’ll get to hike around the high edges of the collapsed volcano and even walk down to the bottom of the large crater-like pit in the ground.
We spent two months based in Las Palmas which gave us lots of time to research the best hikes on the island. Caldera de Bandama was one of the first hikes we did in Gran Canaria and it’s truly beautiful! There’s also a viewpoint over the crater (Pico De Bandama) to get an even better view of how big the caldera is.
It’s worth noting that due to the Bandama Caldera being an old collapsed volcano, the hike is made of small black slippery stones that can make the hike more challenging. It’s best to wear good footwear if you want to walk around the edge.
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Hiking the Caldera de Bandama in Gran Canaria
The Caldera de Bandama in Gran Canaria is a collapsed volcano formed when the volcano cone erupted around 2000 years ago. The eruption created the huge hole which we can now safely explore today.
The caldera was first discovered by colonist Daniel Van Damme, in the 16th century. There are some old ruins of wine cellars on the Caldera de Bandama hike. The area is also known as the Bandama Natural Monument!
There are 3 hikes to do in Caldera de Bandama and as they are all quite short, they’re all achievable in a day. Alternatively, you can choose one or two!
First, we’ll tell you how to get to the old volcano hike and then share the different trails that you can take.
How to get to Caldera de Bandama from Las Palmas
Reaching the Caldera de Bandama is luckily really easy from Las Palmas city centre! By car, it’s a 20-minute drive, although you should start your day early as there are limited parking spaces around the caldera. Find rentals car in Gran Canaria here.
By public bus – Catch one of the many Guaguas buses for €1.40 that run to San Telmo.
Catch the 311 Global Bus that runs from San Telmo every hour on weekdays and every two hours on weekends. The price is €1.55 per person to get to the Bandama bus stop from San Telmo. This bus journey should take 30 – 40 minutes.
Get off at the Campo De Golf bus stop to start the hike around the edge or jump off at the Bandama bus stop next to Tasca La Caldera to start the hike into the crater.
You can pay for buses with contactless using your card or phone. You can also use cash as long as you have small notes or the right coins.
How to get to Caldera de Bandama from Maspalomas
It takes around 45 minutes by car to get from Maspalomas to the Caldera de Bandama which is a lot quicker than the bus journey.
By bus – It can take around 1 hour to get the bus from Maspalomas to San Telmo (Las Palmas). The price will be around €5-6. From there you can get the Global 311 bus which will cost €1.55 per person and take 30 – 40 minutes. It’s possible if you want to hike the Caldera de Bandama from Maspalomas!
➤ You can also book a guided tour and a driver will take you straight to the hiking points! If you want to hike the Caldera de Bandama at sunset and don’t have a car, this is a great option! Find more details and prices for the tour here.
Hikes at the Caldera de Bandama
There are three hikes in the Bandama Natural Monument. We highly recommend doing the Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama and Pico de Bandama if you only want to do two hikes on the day. However, the Caldera de Bandama is unique for walking on the grounds of the collapsed volcano.
As the Caldera de Bandama is now a nature reserve, all of these hikes are safe to explore. Although the rocks are quite loose, you may want to walk carefully in some areas and wear good footwear! Trainers were fine for us, but walking boots would be even better to stop the stones going in your shoes!
There’s some impressive natural scenery around the caldera with cacti and various dry plants growing. We visited on a sunny day and felt the heat traps throughout the plants while walking on the rim of the caldera.
There are so many lizards everywhere! We spotted a whole group of them at the peak of Bandama!
Caldera de Bandama
The official Caldera de Bandama hike is the lower trail into the collapsed volcano instead of walking around the edge. It’s a little scary getting down into the crater-like pit but there’s a well-trodden path to follow. It’s classed as a moderate hike to do in Gran Canaria.
Here’s some information for hiking Caldera de Bandama:
Length: 3.4 km
Elevation gain: 253 m
Average time: 1h 30
Route type: Loop
Hiking the Caldera de Bandama can only be done between 8 am and 5 pm as the trail entrance is gated! If you’re arriving by bus get off at the Bandama bus stop and if you’re travelling by car there may be some spots along the road or near the golf course.
Follow the signs for the Caldera de Bandama hike through the gate and into an open area with seating. Two paths from here will take you down onto the lower ground.
The trail is quite steep getting up and down so be very careful and wear good footwear, it’s okay in trainers, but walking boots would be better!
You’ll pass by the Cornical Viewpoint (Mirador del Cornical) whilst descending to the lower ground. It’s a beautiful spot to stop and take photos!
Walk around the loop trail admiring the tall sides of the old volcano from below. You’ll notice Augustine’s house (La Casa de Agustin) and the Cave of the Canaries (Monte Quemado).
As the hike is less than 2 hours (unless you take loads of photos like us), you’ll be able to do the Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama on the same day. The last part of this hike is the hardest as it’s the steepest part of this trail! Keep that in mind before hiking the Caldera de Bandama.
➤ Join a tour and discover more hikes in Gran Canaria! Visit the Bandama Caldera and Roque Nublo with a guide.
Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama
The Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama is the hike that takes you around the edge of the caldera along the rim. It’s considered a moderate hike due to the volcanic rocks making the inclines slightly harder than regular paths. Otherwise, it’s relatively easy and we saw children hiking the caldera!
Here’s some information for hiking the Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama:
Length: 3.5 km
Elevation gain: 211 m
Average time: 1h 30
Route type: Loop
Head to the Bandama Golf Hotel to start your hike around the edge of the volcano in Gran Canaria! You can also start the hike from the bottom of Pico De Banama, but we think it’s best to exit from here instead.
The collapsed volcano is incredible to see with your own eyes! It’s a little challenging getting around the beginning and end of the hike due to the slope and loose volcanic rock. We did the hike in trainers and it was okay, but it’s a scary feeling to slip!
There’s no shade on the Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama so it may not be safe to visit on a really hot day. It’s probably not a good idea to visit on a windy day either due to the dust from the volcanic rocks.
It was the first time we’ve ever hiked around a collapsed volcano, so maybe it’ll be yours too!
Pico De Bandama
The Pico De Bandama isn’t really a hike, it’s more of a walk up a road to reach the viewpoint. However, it is a 25-minute walk from the Bandama bus stop to the top of the viewpoint. You can also drive or cycle up to the top as there are a few parking spaces!
We hiked to the top of Pico De Bandama after walking the Camino Borde de Caldera Bandama and we even ate our lunch at the top with a group of lizards!
So although it’s not an official hike, it’s worth doing while you’re exploring the caldera! Mark the location on your Google Maps for the Pico De Bandama.
On the way to the peak, you’ll pass La Caldera, a restaurant offering lunches, dinners and drinks! It’s on the opposite side to the views of Caldera, but the views of Gran Canaria are impressive! It’s the perfect spot to relax after your hike!
➤ Here’s the Best Things to do in Gran Canaria, Spain
Best time to hike the Caldera de Bandama in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is perfect to visit all year round with temperatures of 20°C in the winter months (November – March).
The best time to hike the Caldera de Bandama is any time of year! Between June and September, the weather may be too hot, pushing 35°C on some days. However it’s worth noting that the caldera is higher up than the cities of Las Palmas and Maspalomas, so the weather will be slightly cooler.
Where to stay near Caldera de Bandama
If you’re tempted to spend a night near the caldera to be in nature, stargaze or use it as a base to explore other areas. Luckily there are a few hotels and guesthouses nearby due to the caldera being next to a golf course!
➤ Hotel Rural Villa del Monte €-€€ – An incredible luxury getaway for an affordable price – Find on Booking.com here!
➤ Bandama Golf Hotel €€ – The best location for the Caldera de Bandama hike – Find on Booking.com here!
➤ Albor Suites €€ – A beautiful holiday home near Caldera – Find on Booking.com here!
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
As there’s many more hikes to do in Gran Canaria, here’s a few recommendations on where to stay in Gran Canaria overall from Las Palmas to Maspalomas:
- Sercotel Hotel Parque (Las Palmas) € – Near the bus station San Telmo, perfect for catching the bus to Caldera – Find on Booking.com here!
- Club Cala Blanca (Puerto de Mogán) € – Beautiful beachside views for your holiday in Gran Canaria – Find on Booking.com here!
- Villa Nestor – Close to the airport but a lovely accommodation! – Find on Booking.com here!
Where to eat at Caldera de Bandama
When hiking the Caldera de Bandama, we recommend bringing a packed lunch and eating it at the top of Pico De Bandama! This is a personal choice and you may prefer to eat at a restaurant nearby. There’s a few options near the caldera or you can travel further afar after completing your hike!
- Restaurant La Caldera de Bandama Grill €-€€ – on the way to Pico de Bandama, serving smoothies, lunch & dinner. They’re closed on Mondays!
- Tasca La Caldera €-€€ – next to the Bandama bus stop serving lunch & drinks. They’re closed on Tuesdays.
What to wear for hiking the Caldera de Bandama
Hiking in Gran Canaria can get pretty hot and dusty at any time of year. We recommend wearing active wear such as sports shorts or trousers with a breathable top. The most important things to wear are the right shoes.
Although it’s possible in trainers (like we did), we highly recommend wearing hiking boots if you have them. There’s a lot of loose volcanic rock which makes parts of the trail quite slippery.
You should also wear a hat for sun protection alongside suncream and sunglasses for hiking the Caldera de Bandama. Even on the cloudy days in Gran Canaria, you can still burn! It can also feel chilly if you arrive early in the day, so a light long-sleeved jacket is also a good idea.
Essentials to bring for hiking the Caldera de Bandama
Whether you’re an avid hiker or you just like exploring natural wonders, here are a few things we recommend bringing whilst hiking the Bandama Caldera.
- Reusable water bottle (with water)
- Suncream
- Snacks – cereal bars, nuts or fruit.
- Walking poles (if you need them)
- Small medical kit
- Hat & sunglasses
Want to travel more sustainably? Here’s the best eco travel products to switch to!
Hiking the Caldera de Bandama Day Trip from Las Palmas
On a day trip from Las Palmas, you can spend the morning hiking the Caldera de Bandama, have lunch here and then visit other impressive places in the area. It’s best to have a car to do this day trip, although you can get to the caldera hike by bus.
Start your day early to complete your hiking at Bandama Caldera by lunch. Grab some food at one of the restaurants or bring a packed lunch. After this head to a beautiful botanical garden only a 10-minute drive away.
You can also book yourself on a guided tour to take you to the hike and botanical garden!
From here you can drive 25 minutes to Teror, one of Gran Canaria’s lovely Spanish villages. Another 25 minutes from here is Firgas where you can enjoy the famous water before heading to Arucas or a banana plantation (if it’s before 5 pm).
More adventurous things to do in Gran Canaria:
- Go on a canyoning trip and find Gran Canaria’s waterfalls!
- Join a tour for a full day of hiking to Bandama, Roque Nublo and the beautiful village of Teror – find prices here.
- Chill in Las Palmas and go on a snorkelling trip!
That concludes are Caldera de Bandama hiking guide. You should now feel more prepared for your hike to the wonderful collapsed volcano! We have more travel guides for Spain as we stayed in Gran Canaria for 2 months! Check out our saving money for travel tips so you can save for this trip!
More Spain Travel Guides:
- Best Things to do in Gran Canaria, Spain
- 10 Best Things to do in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
- 7 Day Tenerife Itinerary Road Trip
- Best Areas to stay in Tenerife
- 22 Things to do in Tenerife
Have the best trip! Find us on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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