DUNES OF CORRALEJO - DESERT FEELING Á LA SAHARA

Perhaps you are here for the first time in search of waves at Playa del Morro or Playa Burro. However, as these can often be found in vain in the east, you have numerous other options here to enjoy your time in the fascinating natural surroundings. The Parque Natural de Corralejo is one of the “Top Spots to Visit” on Fuerteventura, which definitely pays off with beaches on crystal-clear and turquoise blue water – “Las Grandes Playas” – as well as the dune landscape . When the weather is right and the sun is shining from the blue sky, you can really dream on the dunes of Corralejo – perhaps of an oriental night in the Sahara?

What can you expect?

Formation of the dunes

Desert feelings definitely come up quickly here with these quantities of sand, but this does not come from Africa, as is often wrongly assumed – rather it is decomposed mussel shells and shells of other marine organisms that have been washed up on the north coast of Fuerteventura by the current. Over many millions of years, the sea has crushed the coral reefs and pulverized them into a fine powder. Due to the trade winds coming from the north, the shifting dunes of Corralejo are constantly in motion and therefore permanently change their appearance.

The national park is located in the north-east of the island and, at around 25 km², is the largest dune area of the Canary Islands. Norman conquerors from the 15th century gave it the name “El Jable” – a Canarian word for sand – which definitely makes sense here, sand as far as the eye can see. But if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot some of the 17 animal species or 18 plant species known to live in the area.

This sensitive ecosystem of the Corralejo dunes has been protectedsince 1982, so 4WD fun can only be found in other places on the island. The two hotels at the beginning of the dune area have therefore only been granted a building permit as an exception. But if you want to spend a truly unforgettable night with a view of the dunes, I can only recommend one: Pack a mattress in your car (or tip on the side: rent a van via Airbnb!) and drive to Playa del Morro, where you can easily park overnight and enjoy the roaring sea and starry sky from there. And it’s not just the stars that will give you an unforgettable view, but even more so the sunrise, which conjures up an incredible palette of colors in the sky as it rises perfectly over the sea.

Corralejo dunes: the best way to get there …

Another plus point is the easy access to the dunes of Corralejo:
The FV-1 road, which connects the capital Puerto del Rosario with Corralejo, runs through the middle of the national park. There are rarely any designated parking spaces, which is why people usually just pull over to the side of the road.

What to bring:

• On sunny, warm days: the standard beach package – sun protection, water, swimwear, snorkel set
• If the forecast bodes well: your board or water sports equipment
• For hiking on the Montaña Roja: a jacket or hoodie for the fresh mountain air, sturdy shoes, plenty of energy and plenty of water
• In any case: CAMERA

Corralejo dunes: a few impressions from the surrounding area

SPORTS activities at the dunes of Corralejo

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a bit of morning exercise, here’s my next top dune activity: at the southern end of the dunes of Corralejo you’ll find the Montaña Roja (Red Mountain). If you set off around 30 minutes before sunrise and climb the mountain at a brisk pace, you’ll arrive at the top just in time for the sun (if you recharge your batteries with coffee or breakfast beforehand, you might arrive a little faster – unfortunately, we didn’t have that). This 314-metre-high volcano then offers you a breathtaking 360-degree view as far as Puerto Rosario, Lobos or even Lanzarote and is a great place to take photos on a clear day. It is quite possible to experience a little “déjà vu” moment when visiting the dunes of Corralejo, as many well-known companies use the dunes for filming, commercials or advertising photos, for example Angelina Jolie strutted through the dune landscape for the filming of “The Eternals”. Given the fantastic lighting conditions, the spectacular appearance of the landscape (and the tax advantages of Fuerteventura), this is probably no surprise.

And to come back to our love of water sports: Whether surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing or diving, there really is something for everyone in the dunes of Corralejo. Every November since 1987, kite flyers from all over the world have gathered to compete at the kite festival. Otherwise, you can almost always find a few kiters, from whom you can take beautiful photos with the island of Los Lobos and, in clear weather conditions, even Lanzarote in the background .

From mountain hiking to water sports – now to our runner friends: Once a year, the international half marathon “El Medio Maratón Internacional Dunas de Fuerteventura” is held on the dunes of Corralejo. The 21-kilometre course runs through the middle of the dunes of the national park and requires a lot of strength and resilience. Anyone who has ever tried jogging on sand knows why.