What to Wear and Bring on a Lanzarote Volcano Tour
Closed shoes are a rule, not advice — operators turn people away in sandals. What to wear on a lava hike, a coach tour and a buggy route, and the documents you must carry.
Start with the one that gets people sent home: closed-toe shoes are a condition of boarding on the hikes, not a suggestion. Operators list sandals, flip-flops and high heels under not allowed, and they mean it, because volcanic cinder is sharp, loose and works its way into anything open. Turn up in flip-flops for a guided walk and you may not be going.
After that, the kit list is short, and it is driven by one fact about this landscape: there is no shade anywhere on it, and there is almost always wind.
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For a guided volcano hike
Closed-toe walking shoes or trainers with a firm sole. Grip matters more than ankle support; the ground is loose cinder over hard rock rather than technical terrain. Whatever you wear will get dusty and the dust is fine and black.
Water, more than you think. Some operators include it — the guided volcano hike with transfers provides water and a fruit-and-biscuit stop as standard — and some do not. Assume you are carrying your own until the listing says otherwise.
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen. There is no tree, no wall and no overhang on the route. Sunglasses are worth taking even under cloud, because the trade wind carries grit.
A windproof layer. Not for warmth so much as for wind. The lava plain is exposed on every side and the breeze is constant; on the exposed high ground it can be cold enough to be uncomfortable in a t-shirt even on a warm day.
Trekking poles if you use them. Nobody requires them, but the descent off a cinder cone is loose underfoot and they help.
What you do not need: hiking boots, technical clothing, or anything you would take up a mountain. These are walks, not climbs.
For a full-day coach tour
Different problem entirely. You will be in and out of an air-conditioned bus, on paved terraces at Timanfaya, and underground in the lava caves.
Comfortable closed shoes with grip. Cueva de los Verdes is uneven volcanic rock with steps and low sections; Jameos del Agua is paved but has stairs. Operators specifically flag closed-toe trainers for safety on the cave floors.
A light jacket. The caves run noticeably cooler than the surface, and the coach air conditioning is usually enthusiastic.
Cash or a card for the extras. On several full-day itineraries lunch, the camel ride at Timanfaya, or the La Geria wine tasting are charged separately — the Timanfaya and caves tour with lunch includes the meal but not the camel or the tasting, for instance. Check your own listing’s exclusions before you leave.
For a buggy or off-road tour
This is the one with paperwork.
Your original driver’s licence. Photocopies and phone photos are refused at the meeting point. Drivers must be at least 20 and have held the licence for two years or more. Bring your passport or ID card as well.
Clothes you do not mind ruining. You will be behind a windscreen on dirt tracks; the operator supplies a windbreaker and dust goggles, but the dust gets everywhere regardless. Long sleeves are kinder than bare arms.
Closed shoes again, and a warm layer for the high ground — the off-road volcano buggy tour climbs to Peñas del Chache, the highest point on the island, where it is windy and several degrees cooler than the coast. Our breakdown of that tour →
Height rule: front-seat passengers must be at least 1.35 m. There is no age limit for the back seat.
What not to bring
Drones. Prohibited on the guided walks and inside the national park.
Alcohol. Explicitly listed as not allowed on the hikes and the buggy tours.
Pets. Not permitted on the coach tours or at the CACT sites.
Anything you would mind losing on a bus. Operators state plainly that they are not responsible for items left behind during the day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear sandals on a Lanzarote volcano tour?
No, not on the guided hikes — sandals and flip-flops appear on the operators’ not-allowed lists, and you can be refused at the meeting point. On a coach tour you will not be turned away, but the cave floors are uneven and closed shoes are strongly recommended.
Do I need hiking boots?
No. Trainers or walking shoes with a firm, grippy sole are enough for every walk listed on this site. The routes are long and loose rather than steep or technical.
What should I bring on the Timanfaya coach tour?
Sunglasses, sun protection, a light jacket for the caves and the air conditioning, and money for anything not included in your ticket. You spend most of the day seated, so comfort matters more than kit.
How much water do I need for a volcano hike?
At least a litre and a half per person for a three-hour walk, more in summer. There is no shade and nowhere to refill on the route. Some tours include water; check your listing rather than assuming.
Do I need my driving licence for a buggy tour?
The driver does — the original document, held for at least two years, with a minimum age of 20. Copies and photographs are not accepted. Passengers need nothing, but bring photo ID anyway.
Is there anywhere to leave bags?
Not on the walks; you carry what you bring. On coach tours you can normally leave things aboard between stops, but operators state they are not responsible for items left on the bus, so keep valuables with you.
Once you know what you are packing, pick the tour: see which Lanzarote volcano tour is right for you, or check the best time of year to go.
Stand on the Fire Mountains
Guided hikes across the lava fields, coach tours with Timanfaya park entry, and the lava tubes of the La Corona eruption. Free cancellation on every tour listed here.
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