Hiker Assisted at Volcán del Cuervo After Feeling Unwell During Lanzarote Walk
A walker had to be assisted at one of Lanzarote’s best-known volcanic attractions on Wednesday, September 23, after becoming unwell while exploring the Volcán del Cuervo.
The incident happened at around 3pm, when the Centro Coordinador de Emergencias y Seguridad (CECOES) received an alert concerning a 50-year-old female hiker who was at the upper part of the volcano’s caldera.
Emergency services responded to the situation, with Local Police, Guardia Civil, Civil Protection and members of the Lanzarote Emergency Consortium attending the area. A helicopter belonging to the Grupo de Emergencias y Salvamento (GES) was also activated initially as a precaution, although the planned aerial intervention was later cancelled.
Firefighters reached the hiker and accompanied her from the volcanic area to the nearby car park. Once there, she declined a transfer to a medical centre.
The incident is a useful reminder that even some of Lanzarote’s easier walking routes require visitors to take care in the island’s exposed volcanic landscape.
Why is Volcán del Cuervo so popular?
The Volcán del Cuervo, also known as the Caldera de los Cuervos, is one of the most accessible places to experience Lanzarote’s volcanic scenery.
According to Turismo Lanzarote, the signposted route is considered low difficulty and allows visitors to walk around the volcano and enter the crater. The site forms part of the volcanic landscape associated with the major eruptions that transformed Lanzarote between 1730 and 1736.
The Government of the Canary Islands also describes the area as an important part of Lanzarote’s volcanic heritage. The first eruption of the 1730 sequence began in this area on September 1, 1730, with the formation of the Volcán del Cuervo.
Today, visitors can see layers of dark ash, lava formations and striking reddish volcanic material, with views towards other volcanic cones and the surrounding landscape.
Lanzarote hiking: what should visitors remember?
Although the Volcán del Cuervo trail is classed as low difficulty, volcanic terrain is very different from an ordinary paved walking route. Uneven ground, loose stones, heat, strong sunshine and wind can all make a short walk more demanding than expected.
If you are planning to visit Volcán del Cuervo in Lanzarote, it is sensible to:
• Wear proper walking shoes rather than sandals or smooth-soled footwear.
• Carry enough water, particularly during warmer parts of the day.
• Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunscreen and suitable clothing.
• Take your time on uneven or loose volcanic ground.
• Stay on the marked route and respect signs and protected areas.
• Check weather conditions before setting out.
• Avoid pushing yourself if you feel dizzy, weak, overheated or unwell.
• Keep a mobile phone with you in case you need to contact emergency services.
For families and visitors looking for things to do in Lanzarote, the Volcán del Cuervo is an impressive way to see the island’s volcanic landscape without taking on one of the more demanding hikes. However, ‘easy’ should not be confused with risk-free, particularly in exposed terrain or during hot weather.
A reminder for tourists and residents
The latest incident ended without the need for an air evacuation or hospital transfer, but it demonstrates why sensible preparation matters when exploring Lanzarote’s volcanic areas.
Emergency teams regularly assist people across the island, and the decision to activate a helicopter can be made as a precaution when a person is in a difficult or potentially inaccessible location. In this case, the GES helicopter was ultimately not required.
For anyone visiting Volcán del Cuervo, the best approach is simple: take plenty of water, wear suitable footwear, allow yourself enough time and listen to your body.
Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape is one of the island’s greatest attractions. Taking a little extra care means visitors and residents can enjoy it safely.
An AI Generated Image has been used in this Article.
