Fuerteventura’s natural parks are natural enclaves that offer landscapes of great beauty. They stand out for having a great diversity of native flora and fauna, as well as for offering the possibility of performing numerous leisure activities. In this article we tell you about the best natural parks in Fuerteventura so that you can enjoy this island to the full.
Parque Natural Islote de Lobos
This beautiful spot is located in the northeast of Fuerteventura. It owes its name to the fact that, at some point in its history, it has served as accommodation for monk seals, also known as sea lions. It is an area characterised by its high biodiversity and by the presence of marine and migratory birds such as shearwaters, storm petrels, etc.
To the north of the park, you’ll find beaches that have developed on top of the Jadian marine deposits. There are numerous activities you can do, such as hiking or cycling on specially prepared trails. However, you should be aware that this is one of Fuerteventura’s natural parks, its access is limited to a certain number of visitors per day. We therefore recommend that you obtain the relevant authorisation before visiting the park.
Fuerteventura Dunas de Corralejo Natural Area
Within the natural park of Corralejo you can find an area of dunes of marine origin. They were made from the disintegration and pulverisation of the shells of molluscs and other sea animals. This results in a sea of white sand dunes that stretches for approximately eight kilometres. The park’s beaches are made up of crystal-clear waters where you can practice water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing, diving, etc. At the same time, a half marathon is also organised in these dunes and you can see cetaceans such as dolphins, pilot whales and beaked whales.
Montaña Tindaya Natural Monument
This is a natural park located in the municipality of La Oliva. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in May 2009. Its geomorphological structure makes it of great scientific importance, while at the same time it is a place of great cultural interest and scenic beauty. You can contemplate aboriginal rock engravings that are linked to religious practices, and have an orientation pattern that may be associated with celestial phenomena such as the winter solstice. This monument has numerous trails from which you can admire all its heritage value. To access the mountain you have to apply for a permit from the Fuerteventura Council’s Department of the Environment, which can be obtained from the offices in Puerto de Rosario and Corralejo (Tenencia de Alcaldía).
Caldera de Gairía Natural Monument
This monument is located in the town of Tiscamanita. Its landscape is characterised by the presence of numerous volcanic forms such as cones, craters and lava flows. Thanks to its geological youth and semi-arid climate, its erosion degree is very low. Its vegetation is very homogeneous and is home to species such as the sweet and bitter tabaibal or the arid nitrophilous scrubland. With regard to fauna, there is an abundance of reptiles such as the Atlantic lizard and the Majorero perenquén. There are also numerous mammals such as squirrels, hedgehogs and goats, while birds of prey such as eagles which nest in the monument’s caldera.
Cuchillos de Vigán Natural Monument
Located between the municipalities of Antigua and Tuineje, this area is home to La Punta de la Entallada, the closest place to the African continent in the whole archipelago. This natural park in Fuerteventura is made up of a lava field that has undergone a great deal of erosive wear and tear. The cleavers and valleys are of great beauty and form a very homogeneous landscape that ends at the coast forming cliffs and alluvial terraces. Areas such as the coast of Las Playitas have an enormous palaeontological value. Here you can discover a great variety of fossils such as the great conch or purple shells. There are also housing and agricultural and livestock structures of ancient aborigines.
Malpaís Grande Protected landscape
It is one of the natural parks of Fuerteventura that contains the wildest and most arid lands, although it is of great geological value. With a surface area of 3250 hectares, its vegetation is very sparse, consisting mainly of lichens. The wildlife consists of specimens of buzzards and Egyptian vultures. There are also small birds. You may also come across an archaeological site called Poblado de La Atalayita. This is an aboriginal settlement made up of a group of buildings and pastoral enclosures, built with lava stone.
Jandía Natural Park
This area is one of Fuerteventura’s natural parks in the south of the island. It was declared a natural park in 1987 and is popular for the beauty of its landscape and for its great biological and geological importance. Its habitat is very well preserved and you can find a wide variety of protected species. The beaches of this natural park, such as Cofete and Sotavento, are considered some of the best in Europe. They have crystal-clear waters and white sand that make them ideal for water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Site of Scientific Interest of the Matorral beach
Since 1987 it has been declared a Natural Site of National Interest. It is an area that is periodically flooded by the sea. Due to this peculiarity, there is a predominance of species that are able to withstand the tides, such as the matamoro or the uvilla de mar. You can also enjoy enviable views from the Morro Jable lighthouse, and at Los Granadillos beach you can admire the natural skeleton of a 15-metre-long sperm whale that beached itself in December 2004.
In short, Fuerteventura’s natural parks are a perfect option if you are looking for places where you can relax and connect with nature. Their landscapes and the wide variety of activities you can do in them make them a must-see. If you are looking to stay in a hotel in Fuerteventura that offers you maximum comfort and relaxation, do not hesitate to contact the Lopesan Hotel Group. We have the ideal option for you, adapted to your characteristics and needs, contact us without obligation!
