What to see · 5 min read
Las Grietas, Lanzarote: How to Get There, Where to Park and What Has Changed
By CabanaLanz · 08/10/2026
Las Grietas is a narrow ravine with striped walls, as if someone had stacked hundreds of layers of rock and volcanic ash and water had slowly polished them. Photos on social media have made it famous and, with fame, came changes: you can no longer park where people used to, and some areas are taped off. It is a few minutes from our cabins, so here is what you need to know to visit Las Grietas in Lanzarote today, with no fines and no surprises.
In short: entry is free and open to all, but since December 2025 Tías Town Council has cordoned off the areas at risk of rockfall. You can’t park on the hard shoulder of the road (there are fines), and the visit takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Where is Las Grietas?
It is on the slopes of Montaña Blanca, in the municipality of Tías, next to the LZ-35 road between Tías and San Bartolomé. Its official name is Barranco Negro; “Las Grietas” (“the cracks”) is the name visitors gave it. There is no address or sign on the road, so the easiest thing is to save the location on your phone before you set off:
Driving times: about 10 minutes from our cabins, 10–15 from Puerto del Carmen and about 15 from Arrecife.
How to get there and where to park
This is the biggest change. For years people left their cars on the hard shoulder of the LZ-35 and crossed the road on foot. It was dangerous, and the council put an end to that makeshift parking. Today:
- Don’t park on the hard shoulder. It is forbidden, the Guardia Civil hands out fines and more than one hire car has got stuck in the picón (volcanic gravel) at the roadside.
- Leave your car on the dirt track that branches off the road a little past the old parking area, without blocking anyone.
- Walk 5–10 minutes over flat, stony ground to the mouth of the ravine. If you need to cross to the other side of the road, use the underpass.
The easiest way is by car. If you don’t have one, a taxi from Puerto del Carmen or Tías is a short ride; what we don’t recommend is walking along the edge of the road.
Is it open? What has changed
Yes, with limits. In 2024 Tías Town Council closed it for a few weeks while it studied the area. The study confirmed there is a risk of falling rocks, especially in the upper parts, and recommended ending free access and moving to guided visits in small groups.
The first phase began in December 2025: tape and signs around the dangerous areas. The council has said it doesn’t want to close Las Grietas, but it is considering controlled visits in the future. So if you are reading this a few months from now, check first whether you need to book.
What you will see
A rock corridor that narrows and widens, with walls several metres high full of streaks in brown, ochre and grey. There are several cracks and, between the two largest, a ridge from which you can look down into the ravine. That viewpoint has no railing: watch your step and stay away from the edge.
Tips for your visit
- When to go: early in the morning or late in the afternoon. At midday the sun beats straight down, there is no shade outside the ravine and it gets crowded.
- Footwear: closed shoes. In flip-flops the loose stones are slippery.
- Water and a hat: there are no facilities at all: no water, no toilets, no bins.
- Respect the tape and don’t climb the walls: they crumble easily and every step wears them down.
- If it rains, don’t go in. It is a ravine and water runs through it.
- Take your rubbish with you and don’t carve anything into the rock.
What to see nearby
- La Geria: a few minutes away, the vineyards planted in hollows in the volcanic ash, and their wineries. It pairs very well with Las Grietas on the same morning.
- Timanfaya: half an hour away. Remember that tickets are now sold online only; we explain everything in our guide to visiting Timanfaya.
- Puerto del Carmen: for a swim or lunch afterwards, about 10–15 minutes away.
If you are planning your trip, our 4 days in Lanzarote itinerary splits the island into areas so you don’t waste time in the car.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Las Grietas?
Nothing. Entry is currently free and open, with no opening hours and no booking.
How long do you need?
Between 45 minutes and an hour, including the walk from the car.
Can you go with children?
Yes, the path is flat and short. Just keep them close, don’t let them climb the walls and take great care at the viewpoint on top, which has no railing.
Where do you park?
On the nearby dirt track, never on the hard shoulder of the LZ-35. From there it is a 5–10 minute walk.
Keep reading
More guides to plan your trip to Lanzarote.
