Road trip on Fuerteventura over sand and rock tracks along deep ravines

An adventurous road trip on Fuerteventura? Take the route Morro Jable – Cofete. A serious series of hairpin bends is on the menu. The ‘road’ is in poor condition. How good is that?

We pick up where we left off last Friday (renting a car on Fuerteventura). How are your driving skills and your head for heights? Drive from Morro Jable towards Cofete for the real thing.

Mountain roads with blind bends

Forget neat asphalt roads. This gravel road slowly gives way to sand and rock tracks. On some stretches you can barely go faster than walking pace. Can a hire car take it? Happily, yes.

At first you drive fairly ‘low’ along the coastline. In time the steep, narrow hairpins come. Up onto the passes. The climbing can begin. Space is limited there. So feel free to sound your horn as you approach a blind bend. Oncoming drivers appreciate it.

Skirting deep ravines on the way to the viewpoint

Adjust your pace. Embrace the glorious surroundings. Feast your eyes. And pay a little attention meanwhile. Because one small detail: you are skirting deep ravines.

• Then you arrive at a glorious place for a stop: Punto de vista sobre puerto de montaña, loosely translated as the viewpoint on the mountain pass and/or the vantage point of the mountain gate.

Here you have a phenomenal view of the sea, the steep mountain ranges and the golden coastal strip. Recharged by that view, on you go: the demanding descent to Cofete. This spot is all but deserted, apart from the odd bar. Pull your car over and walk the last stretch to the remote beach. Welcome to Playa de Cofete; you have made it.

• Tip: set off in the morning. First because you then have all the time in the world. Second: on a route this risky it is rather nice to drive back in daylight…

A road trip on Fuerteventura: what to watch with car hire

The less passable roads bring the most adventure. Only your hire car is not automatically covered when driving on unsurfaced sections. The car takes a beating there. Which is why at the time we deliberately did take an expensive full protection package, which we normally skip.

Check the car together with the rental firm. Do this before and after. Walk attentively around the vehicle. Take photos or a video; that is fine. It saves you any arguments. So a sharp moment first, and then relax with peace of mind. The road trip can begin.