The Ruta de los Volcanes is winding and, above all, very, very narrow. It runs 14 kilometres through Timanfaya National Park in the southwest of Lanzarote, along 25 volcanoes and the main core of the eruptions. The narrowest point between the rocks and lava tunnels measures just 2.60 metres – a challenge, as only buses are allowed to drive across the land of the mountains of fire.
Omnibus Magazine
Through the land of the mountains of fire.
With the Mercedes-Benz Intouro across the Ruta de los Volcanes.
Through the land of the mountains of fire.
With the Mercedes-Benz Intouro across the Ruta de los Volcanes.
National park route for buses only.
Timanfaya National Park, which means “beating earth” or “fire belly”, was formed by several volcanic eruptions between 1730 and 1736 and a further eruption in 1824. Right through the mountains of fire, the volcanic route passes a large number of caves, craters, lava mantles and impressive volcanic rock. Around 800,000 people experience the spectacular Ruta de los Volcanes every year on a tour with the Guaguas – that’s what the islanders call the tourist coaches.
Angel Vazquez, Managing Director (CEO) of Centros Turísticos (Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo de Lanzarote), is responsible for the transport service and monitors the proper operation of all tourist centres on Lanzarote. He is focussed on protecting the environment. Visits to the nature reserve are very limited. "Only buses are allowed on the volcanic route. No one gets out, no one steps on the solidified lava, and, of course, nothing is left behind in nature," emphasises Vazquez.
Special vehicle equipment for the mountains of fire.
Centros Turísticos, part of the Cabildo (island government), uses eight new Mercedes-Benz Intouro hybrids for the Ruta de los Volcanes, which have been specially adapted for this route. The orange-brown buses blend in perfectly with the colour of the lava landscape. They have been configured for routes with high passenger volumes.
“The twelve drivers in total had a great deal of say in configuring the new buses,” says Vazquez. The most important criteria include large windows, easy-to-clean luggage racks and solid seats without armrests and featuring a 2-point seat belt. Also important: a particularly hard transmission designed for low speeds and, of course, an engine with the lowest possible consumption and CO2 emissions. Modern safety systems such as MIMO aerial sensors and a clearly visible reversing camera image make manoeuvring easier.
The consistently warm temperatures on Lanzarote do not require heating in the bus, instead there is a powerful air conditioning system for the travellers.
Two Intouros are available for people with limited mobility, equipped with a platform lift and a special area for wheelchairs in the vehicle interior.
The safest route in the world.
The volcanic route for visitor buses was opened in 1971. There has never been an accident on it – which sounds surprising given the narrow and winding road.
Our driver Carmelo Martin tells us that the admission tests for working as a driver here are very difficult, both technically and psychologically. He himself has been working as a bus driver for Centros Turísticos for over thirty years.
Breakdowns on the volcanic route must be virtually ruled out. There is no space to manoeuvre or even turn around – only the one narrow tarmac road. Regular maintenance of the buses is therefore essential. For this reason, they have been relying on the impeccable service of OMNIplus for years, explains Carmelo Martin.
Spectacular views.
From 10 a.m. until mid-afternoon, the Intouro departs nonstop from the visitor centre in the national park. There is no fixed timetable, travellers just arrive and hop aboard. Once the bus is full, it’s time to go – fifty-five seats for explorers, adventurers and nature lovers who want to enjoy spectacular views.
Carmelo stops the Intouro next to a rock formation that is higher than the others surrounding it and which locals call the “Manto de la Virgen” (Virgin's Mantle). He tells us that it is a volcanic cone that is about 40 metres deep.
We continue and pass our second stop, the Lava Sea. Carmelo explains that there are two types of lava: Aa and Pahoehoe. Aa lava is sharp-edged and cannot be walked on without sturdy footwear. Pahoehoe lava forms a relatively smooth surface when solidified, which is softer and easy to walk on.
Through the “Fire Canyon" to the “Valley of Tranquility”.
We follow the narrow road until we reach a lava canal, also known as the “Fire Canyon” (Macizo del Fuego). Giant lava walls towering above the bus rise on both sides of the road and it is hard to believe that the Intouro will fit through here.
We continue our journey into the so-called “Valley of Tranquility” (Valle de la Tranquilidad). The volcanic ash that covers everything gives us a little breathing space, as the less rugged earth offers the eye a more peaceful sight.
Now we climb steeply up to the crater of Timanfaya, the highest point of the park at 520 metres above sea level. During this stop, the travellers' faces are almost glued to the windows probably imagining the fireball that shot out of the crater some four hundred years ago.
