The volcanic landscapes of Fuerteventura's mountainous interior are scaled from the seemingly endless coastline is this late afternoon off-road safari to Cofete. Juan Carlos, one of our local guides, says, ‘Cofete was so removed from civilisation that it spawned a wartime spy mystery – and countless novels – centred on the enigmatic Villa Winter. Was it a transmission centre for U-boats? A hideout for secret agents? A ratline staging post? A venue for hedonistic parties? The legend only grows with each passing year.'
You'll first head into Fuerteventura's central mountains, where cloud-wreathed slopes plunge down to endless, deserted beaches. The most eye-catching is Cofete beach, which clocks in at almost 14km. The spray from waves creates an almost ever-present haze over the shoreline. Heading off-road onto hairpin tracks, you'll bump around the Mars-like landscapes around Pico de la Zarza, one of the island's highest volcanic peaks. Here, you'll enjoy panoramic views over the buffeted west coast before dropping down to Cofete, a ramshackle hamlet.
This mostly abandoned village is home to the mysterious Villa Winter, which is rumoured to have been a Nazi hideout after World War II. Next, it's off to Punta de Jandia at Fuerteventura's southern tip. Hopefully, you can enjoy a sunset over the lighthouse and Atlantic, before a snack and glass of wine at one of the few restaurants found in this remote part of the island. You'll then wind your way back to your hotel under the starlit sky.
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