Driving a Fabulous Cliff Road with Panoramic Views to Mirador Del Rio in Lanzarote

Mirador Del Rio is a very scenic viewpoint at an elevation of 473m (1,551ft) above sea level, located in the northernmost part of the Canarian island of Lanzarote. It’s a fabulous cliff road affording panoramic views.

Mirador Del Rio

What’s at Mirador Del Rio?

At the summit, you’ll find a large parking area where you can stop to take in the stunning views and explore a few points of interest. One of them is an old military battery from the late 19th century, originally built out of fear that the Americans might attempt to seize the Canary Islands during the Spanish–American War. It was later expanded at the start of World War II. Known as the River Battery, it takes its name from its strategic location. Outside the viewpoint stands a striking wrought-iron sculpture by the renowned local artist César Manrique, created in 1974. It depicts a fish and a bird — a poetic symbol of two elements that define this landscape: water and air.

Is the road to Mirador Del Rio paved?

The twisting road to this location is fully paved yet pretty narrow. It’s called LZ-202. The scenic cliff road is nicknamed the Mirador Del Rio Scenic Road. It’s closed to caravans due to the winds. It’s just large enough for two cars (with not much space to spare if the cars are large).

How long is the road to Mirador Del Rio?

Starting from Hoya de la Pila (LZ-201 road), the ascent is 2.9 km (1.80 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 106 meters. The average gradient is 3.65%.

Is the road to Mirador Del Rio worth the drive?

It’s a fabulous clifftop road affording panoramic views. It can get quite busy during the holiday season. The viewpoint provides unique, panoramic views. This is definitely one road trip that you want to record with lots of photographs. On clear days, the viewpoint offers stunning views of the eighth Canary Island, La Graciosa, and the group of islets that are part of the Chinijo Islands National Park.