El Cuchillo: volcanic landscape, trails and holiday apartments in Lanzarote

The LZ10 El Cuchillo-Mosta-Montaña Cavera Geosite is the area with the highest concentration of cones of Surtseyan origin in the Canary Islands. There, it is possible to follow the complete transition from the initial hydromagmatic eruption phases, involving the interaction of water and magma, to later purely magmatic phases after the water had disappeared from the system.

More local pages: Mancha Blanca, La Santa, La Vegueta.

Volcanic landscape

Geological features observable in the geosite include cross-bedding, slumps, channels, dunes and antidunes, as well as impact bombs and impact marks.

Malpaís del Cuchillo in Lanzarote is designated as Special Area of Conservation ES7010065 (SAC). The protected area is almost entirely covered by Ahulagar vegetation (Chenoleoideo tomentosae-Salsoletum vermiculatae, variant with Launaea arborescens); cultivated areas lie along its edges.

The presence of Caralluma burchardii was used as a basis for designating SAC ES7010065 Malpaís del Cuchillo. The reptile Gallotia atlantica has also been recorded in the SAC area.

The barely perceptible crater of the Caldera de El Cuchillo has been converted into several Arenado cultivation areas. The El Jable landscape can be seen from Filo del Cuchillo. There are several volcanic vents and lava tubes around El Cuchillo that recall the eruptions in this area.

Trails and races

The Los Risquetes hiking trail has a low level of difficulty and is suitable for everyone. It follows the paved road connecting El Cuchillo and Soo.

The Caldera El Cuchillo trail is part of the 2026 Tinajo Popular Race Cup; the 10 km race takes place on 9 October and is organised by Club Azarug. The 2024 Caldera de El Cuchillo Trail included the Chinijos Race for children, as well as 5.1 km and 10.6 km races.

The different route formats allow you to compare running and hiking options by distance, date and activity.

There is one bus stop and three interurban bus routes in El Cuchillo. The pedestrian paths in El Cuchillo are limited to the school area, Calle El Cuchillo and Calle Los Arenales.

Culture and history

The Ermita del Pilar in El Cuchillo is the most important place of worship dedicated to Virgen del Pilar in Lanzarote.

The Nuestra Señora de El Pilar festival takes place in El Cuchillo on 12 October. The celebrations include open-air dances, competitions, board-game championships, popular races and children's games; the del Pilar festival also includes a Mass and a procession carrying the image throughout El Cuchillo.

El Cuchillo is a catalogued archaeological site associated with the island's ancient inhabitants, the Majos. Surface remains of human settlements, such as pottery fragments and domestic-use materials, can be found in the areas of El Cuchillo.

Local delights

The shop at Filo El Cuchillo sells cheese, wine, Roscos de pan and mojos; these products can be sampled at the viewpoint overlooking the coast north of Tinajo.

At the Filo El Cuchillo farm, visitors can see the free-range livestock after milking in the early morning and observe the milk curdling in the cheese vat in the production room.

Back to the main travel overview: Tinajo.