Stage 7: Los Canarios (Fuencaliente) - Villa de Mazo

Along the way, it is easy to spot some of the most outstanding species of La Palma's impressive fauna, such as the magpies (Pica pica), the La Palma giant lizard (Gallotia auaritae) and the Western Canaries lizard (Gallotia galloti palmae).

The path gradually turns to the right, skirting the southern tip of the island and entering its southeastern slope. From here, it continues in a northerly direction towards Villa de Mazo, following the edge of the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park on the left-hand side.

After a little more than 2.5 kilometres, the path goes for about 600 metres along the track that leads to the Fuente de los Roques, where the Plaza del Pino de la Virgen is located. In this peaceful place, a majestic pine tree houses the image of a Virgin attached to its trunk, which is venerated every second Sunday in August with a pilgrimage that starts from Los Canarios.

Once past the Pino de la Virgen, stage 7 continues straight on along the track for about 800 metres. Here, the asphalt track gives way to a paved road that climbs gently before entering the lava flow form landscape of the Martín de Tigalate volcano. Its 1646 eruption, which lasted some 82 days, left behind a landscape like something from another world, with a rugged and primitive terrain that evokes a lunar or extraterrestrial landscape. Despite the harsh geological conditions, nature has found its way, and the walker can observe how layers of lichen, scrub and species such as bejeque(Aeonium spathulatum), pennyroyal (Bystropogon origanifolius), calcosa(Rumex lunaria), ferns(Notholaena marantae, Cosentinia vellea) and tabaibal-cardonal formations have flourished, adding life and colour to this amazing volcanic landscape.

Beyond the lava flow features of the Martín de Tigalate volcano, the path crosses a more humid environment, where the vegetation becomes more exuberant and diverse. Here, the ground varies between a stone pavement and sandy soil, and it is easy to find larger shrubs such as heather (Erica arborea), faya (Myrica faya) and acebiño (Ilex canariensis), always surrounded by the omnipresent Canary Island pines. After some 500 metres in this leafier environment, the stage returns briefly to the Martín washes before beginning a gentle descent that leaves the wooded area behind and enters the northern section of the Monte de Luna district for 200 metres.

The path then turns to the left to take a track that crosses predominantly agricultural areas, where vineyards mingle with pine forests, all delimited by the characteristic stone walls. This 1.5-kilometre stretch is one of the most challenging parts of the route, as the path climbs some 25 metres before turning right through an area with steps. Here the path descends, running parallel to the Meredos ravine, and passing the last houses in the district before reaching the LP-2 road.

After 6.7 kilometres, the stage crosses the aforementioned road and continues parallel to it along a promenade on its right bank, crossing it again some 300 metres further on, opposite a rest area. A short distance further on, the path crosses a small stream and turns left to join a new track that leads in the direction of Villa de Mazo.

In this section, the track continues through the agricultural area, crossing two small watercourses before connecting with a path that leads directly to the gate of the municipal cemetery of Villa de Mazo. From here, following the cemetery street in a straight line, the path crosses the Tigalate district until it joins the LP-206 road. For 1.6 kilometres, the route runs parallel to the road, crossing it at several points and sharing the same route in some sections, so it is important to take extreme caution.

On reaching the district of Tirimaga, the path continues straight on along the Camino Viejo for 2.2 kilometres, leading to the San Simón ravine. Crossing the ravine, the path continues along a track parallel to the LP-206 road for 1.2 kilometres, leading to the Camino de Las Tocas, just outside the village of La Sabina. From here, the last stretch of the route takes us to the Montaña de las Toscas recreational area, located just 5 kilometres from El Pueblo, the main centre of Villa de Mazo.