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Monthly Archives: December 2019

Taburiente la palma: La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

Опубликовано: December 21, 2019 в 10:12 am

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Категории: Miscellaneous

La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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Cascade of Colours in the Las Angustias ravine

Cascade of Colours in the Las Angustias ravine

One of the main attractions of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park is the magical ‘Cascadade Colores’ or Cascade of Colours: a semi-natural waterfall practically hidden on a deviation along the trail through the Las Angustias ravine. In a bend of the Rivanceras ravine you will suddenly come across a six-metre-high wall, painted by nature in tones of green, yellow and orange, where water falls all year around.

The orange and yellow hues come from the iron in the ravine’s water, which has one of the highest concentrations of iron in La Palma, whereas the greens are from the algae and mosses. The result is a palette of colours that change with the season and the flow of water from the ravine. To enjoy this gift to the senses all you have to do is walk along the access path to this hidden corner of the park.  

Cascade of Colours in the Las Angustias ravine

One of the main attractions of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park is the magical ‘Cascadade Colores’ or Cascade of Colours: a semi-natural waterfall practically hidden on a deviation along the trail through the Las Angustias ravine. In a bend of the Rivanceras ravine you will suddenly come across a six-metre-high wall, painted by nature in tones of green, yellow and orange, where water falls all year around.

The orange and yellow hues come from the iron in the ravine’s water, which has one of the highest concentrations of iron in La Palma, whereas the greens are from the algae and mosses. The result is a palette of colours that change with the season and the flow of water from the ravine. To enjoy this gift to the senses all you have to do is walk along the access path to this hidden corner of the park. 

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La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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A camping area in La Caldera de Taburiente

A camping area in La Caldera de Taburiente

The camping area in the centre of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park is the only way to spend the night in the interior of this natural space and the best way to feel its raw, wild essence. The flora and fauna of the island of La Palma pose no danger whatsoever, so a night in the open air or in a tent under the majestic pine trees of Taburiente is definitely a safe and enriching experience.

Staying overnight is free of charge, but you will have to book a place in advance. The access is via a 5.5-kilometre trail, which starts out in Los Brecitos and ends at the Taburiente stream. Facilities include wooden tables and chairs, running water, toilets and showers as well as security personnel. Just beside the camping zone is the circular building of the Taburiente service centre, where you’ll find information about the many different walks through the zone and the rich natural resources of the park. 

A camping area in La Caldera de Taburiente

The camping area in the centre of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park is the only way to spend the night in the interior of this natural space and the best way to feel its raw, wild essence. The flora and fauna of the island of La Palma pose no danger whatsoever, so a night in the open air or in a tent under the majestic pine trees of Taburiente is definitely a safe and enriching experience.

Staying overnight is free of charge, but you will have to book a place in advance. The access is via a 5.5-kilometre trail, which starts out in Los Brecitos and ends at the Taburiente stream. Facilities include wooden tables and chairs, running water, toilets and showers as well as security personnel. Just beside the camping zone is the circular building of the Taburiente service centre, where you’ll find information about the many different walks through the zone and the rich natural resources of the park. 

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La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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Network of trails in La Caldera de Taburiente

Network of trails in La Caldera de Taburiente

Within La Caldera de Taburiente National Park you can only move about on foot. Because of this, there is a truly excellent network of pathways and trails, all perfectly signposted and very well maintained. The main access points to the park are at the La Cumbrecita viewing point, just 25 minutes’ drive from the El Paso Visitors Centre, and at Los Brecitos, an hour’s drive from the town of Los Llanos de Aridane.

To give you a general idea, the network has one long trail, the GR-131, which leads you around the border of the crater and reaches the summit of the island itself, the Roque de los Muchachos (2,426 metres) and many shorter varieties of the PRLP-13 path, which take you between watery ravines covered with pine trees. The most popular walk is that which zigzags slowly down from Los Brecitos through the winding ravine of Las Angustias.

Network of trails in La Caldera de Taburiente

Within La Caldera de Taburiente National Park you can only move about on foot. Because of this, there is a truly excellent network of pathways and trails, all perfectly signposted and very well maintained. The main access points to the park are at the La Cumbrecita viewing point, just 25 minutes’ drive from the El Paso Visitors Centre, and at Los Brecitos, an hour’s drive from the town of Los Llanos de Aridane.

To give you a general idea, the network has one long trail, the GR-131, which leads you around the border of the crater and reaches the summit of the island itself, the Roque de los Muchachos (2,426 metres) and many shorter varieties of the PRLP-13 path, which take you between watery ravines covered with pine trees. The most popular walk is that which zigzags slowly down from Los Brecitos through the winding ravine of Las Angustias.

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La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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Taburiente beach

Taburiente beachInside

La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, far from La Palma’s coastline, you will discover a special kind of beach. These are sands of pebbles and gravel which line the banks of one of the few continuous water flows in the Canary Islands; the Taburiente stream. Here walkers can enjoy the murmur of water while contemplating the spectacular steep slopes of the crater.

To get to Taburiente beach you need to descend along the path from Los Brecitos to the camping area. The route lasts around two hours, and will take you through pine-covered slopes until you come to the freezing Taburiente waters, which meander between random –shaped rocks and small woods of intense shades of green. Just a short distance away you will find the camping area and the service centre.  

Taburiente beachInside

La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, far from La Palma’s coastline, you will discover a special kind of beach. These are sands of pebbles and gravel which line the banks of one of the few continuous water flows in the Canary Islands; the Taburiente stream. Here walkers can enjoy the murmur of water while contemplating the spectacular steep slopes of the crater.

To get to Taburiente beach you need to descend along the path from Los Brecitos to the camping area. The route lasts around two hours, and will take you through pine-covered slopes until you come to the freezing Taburiente waters, which meander between random –shaped rocks and small woods of intense shades of green. Just a short distance away you will find the camping area and the service centre. 

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La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory

Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory

The Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory is home to a collection of more than 10 great pieces of equipment for solar and nocturnal observation. At almost 2,400 metres above sea level along the northern side of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the complex is now a Unesco Astronomy Heritage Site and is a fascinating place, both inside and out.

The observatory is close to the LP-4 road, an hour and 20 minutes’ drive from the island capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma.  The installations, which include the largest optical telescope in the world, Grantecan, can be visited in groups during the daytime, providing a reservation is made beforehand.  There are also private companies that organise astronomy safari trips to this and other astronomy observation points in La Palma, an island which has a Starlight certificate for the exceptional quality of its skies. 

Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory

The Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory is home to a collection of more than 10 great pieces of equipment for solar and nocturnal observation. At almost 2,400 metres above sea level along the northern side of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the complex is now a Unesco Astronomy Heritage Site and is a fascinating place, both inside and out.

The observatory is close to the LP-4 road, an hour and 20 minutes’ drive from the island capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma.  The installations, which include the largest optical telescope in the world, Grantecan, can be visited in groups during the daytime, providing a reservation is made beforehand.  There are also private companies that organise astronomy safari trips to this and other astronomy observation points in La Palma, an island which has a Starlight certificate for the exceptional quality of its skies. 

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La Caldera de Taburiente National Park

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El Paso Visitors Centre

El Paso Visitors Centre

The natural treasures of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park are best discovered with boots and a backpack. That said, the El Paso Visitors Centre offers an informative virtual visit of the park that no potential visitor should miss. From its perfect model of the island to the audio-visual film about the origin of the crater (caldera), everything at the centre is easy to understand and very illustrative.

The centre explains the park’s geology, flora and fauna, emphasising the extreme value of the number of endemic species that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.  It also outlines how the crater played an important part in the management of La Palma’s water and its economy, as well as the key role it held in the conquest of the Canary Islands by the Spanish in the 15th Century. 

El Paso Visitors Centre

The natural treasures of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park are best discovered with boots and a backpack. That said, the El Paso Visitors Centre offers an informative virtual visit of the park that no potential visitor should miss. From its perfect model of the island to the audio-visual film about the origin of the crater (caldera), everything at the centre is easy to understand and very illustrative.

The centre explains the park’s geology, flora and fauna, emphasising the extreme value of the number of endemic species that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.  It also outlines how the crater played an important part in the management of La Palma’s water and its economy, as well as the key role it held in the conquest of the Canary Islands by the Spanish in the 15th Century. 

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Caldera de Taburiente | Hello Canary Islands

Rugged trekking in the heart of La Palma

Located in the heart of the island of La Palma, the national park of Caldera de Taburiente offers several possibilities for trekkers. Besides the excursion within the park which takes you out along the ravine of Las Angustias, the nearby area also includes routes through the neighbouring Pino de la Virgen (Pine of Our Lady), which goes along the recreational area of Cumbrecita and even up to the peak of Bejenado in order to enjoy the unique view of inside the Caldera (crater).

A pathway suitable for all ages

The pathway at the entrance to Caldera de Taburiente is extensive and rather difficult. However, there is the option of shortening the trek if we take the route from Los Brecitos and only take in the entrance and exit of the interior recreational area along the ravine of Las Angustias. Whichever route you take, take suitable clothing and footwear, sun cream, food and cold drinks. Lomo de Los Caballos is located at the exit, where there is an information point and a parking area.

Length

12,5 km

Localidad

El Paso

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TENERIFE

TENERIFE

GRAN CANARIA

GRAN CANARIA

FUERTEVENTURA

FUERTEVENTURA

LANZAROTE

LANZAROTE

LA GRACIOSA

LA GRACIOSA

LA GOMERA

LA GOMERA

LA PALMA

LA PALMA

EL HIERRO

EL HIERRO

No te lo puedes perder

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Los Brecitos Viewpoint

The trail begins at the lay-by for vehicle access, gently winding around a slope home to a pine forest including Myrica faya, heather and other shrubs such as Cistus. The route will cross a series of ravines, with the first, known as Ciempiés, always full of water.

The trail begins at the lay-by for vehicle access, gently winding around a slope home to a pine forest including Myrica faya, heather and other shrubs such as Cistus. The route will cross a series of ravines, with the first, known as Ciempiés, always full of water.

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Lomo de Tenerra and its agricultural heritage

This area found in the interior of the park serves as a reminder of La Caldera’s history in agriculture and livestock. Up until quite recently, the orchards found here were used to grow tobacco, with the outlines of the plots still visible today. The panoramic view of Los Agujeritos is particularly beautiful, with the jagged vertical rock faces standing out like teeth in the landscape.

This area found in the interior of the park serves as a reminder of La Caldera’s history in agriculture and livestock. Up until quite recently, the orchards found here were used to grow tobacco, with the outlines of the plots still visible today. The panoramic view of Los Agujeritos is particularly beautiful, with the jagged vertical rock faces standing out like teeth in the landscape.

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Traves Rock

Shortly after moving on from Lomo de Tenerra, the next eye-catching landmark is a gigantic rock in Traves Ravine. Deposited in the river channel, the rock is a visual reminder of the erosion that created La Caldera and a showcase of rock flora, such as the various species of tree houseleeks belonging to the Aeonium genus that expertly snake up rocks and vertical rock faces.

Shortly after moving on from Lomo de Tenerra, the next eye-catching landmark is a gigantic rock in Traves Ravine. Deposited in the river channel, the rock is a visual reminder of the erosion that created La Caldera and a showcase of rock flora, such as the various species of tree houseleeks belonging to the Aeonium genus that expertly snake up rocks and vertical rock faces.

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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A rocky ravine

The processes of erosion cause constant rock fall in La Caldera. This ravine is a fine example, and we can see straightaway why the park is named for its rounded rocks. A glance up to the higher walls quickly gives us an idea of how this spectacular river channel was formed over time. Archaeological remains have been found in the region, as La Palma’s native peoples used some of these gigantic rocks as refuges. 

The processes of erosion cause constant rock fall in La Caldera. This ravine is a fine example, and we can see straightaway why the park is named for its rounded rocks. A glance up to the higher walls quickly gives us an idea of how this spectacular river channel was formed over time. Archaeological remains have been found in the region, as La Palma’s native peoples used some of these gigantic rocks as refuges. 

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Tagasaste Viewpoint

This spectacular panorama of La Caldera features a striking set of sedimentary rocks to the left, while to the right we can see an area of vegetation on the slope marking the source of Indian bay, formerly used by farmers for growing yams.  

This spectacular panorama of La Caldera features a striking set of sedimentary rocks to the left, while to the right we can see an area of vegetation on the slope marking the source of Indian bay, formerly used by farmers for growing yams. 

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Bombas de Agua Ravine

This ravine is typical of the park’s interior, revealing the effects of the processes of erosion. Along with the Risco Liso Ravine, it surrounds a region used for cultivation up until the 1980s, and which is currently under reforestation. The higher reaches of the ravines are home to various springs and gallery forests at the sources of the park’s main water resources. 

This ravine is typical of the park’s interior, revealing the effects of the processes of erosion. Along with the Risco Liso Ravine, it surrounds a region used for cultivation up until the 1980s, and which is currently under reforestation. The higher reaches of the ravines are home to various springs and gallery forests at the sources of the park’s main water resources. 

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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An inland beach

This ravine deposit has become known as Taburiente beach, due to its popularity as a bathing spot among locals. The small forest of willow trees on the riverbank represents the best example of its type in the park. Willow trees have fallen into decline due to the removal of water from rivers for water resources, lending this area a particular significance and providing an opportunity for the park to increase its extension

Visitors to Taburiente beach will find a visitors’ centre, a campsite, a small exhibition, services and a first aid post. 

This ravine deposit has become known as Taburiente beach, due to its popularity as a bathing spot among locals. The small forest of willow trees on the riverbank represents the best example of its type in the park. Willow trees have fallen into decline due to the removal of water from rivers for water resources, lending this area a particular significance and providing an opportunity for the park to increase its extension

Visitors to Taburiente beach will find a visitors’ centre, a campsite, a small exhibition, services and a first aid post. 

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Reventón descent

Making our way past the visitors’ centre brings us onto a different slope as we begin snaking down Alemendro Amargo Ravine. Known as El Reventón, the descent is particularly uneven, starting with the river at over 100 metres above sea level. On our descent, we’ll spot Idafe Rock rising up where the ravines meet. This spectacular monolith is linked to the magical religious world of the benahoritas, the indigenous inhabitants of La Palma. 

Making our way past the visitors’ centre brings us onto a different slope as we begin snaking down Alemendro Amargo Ravine. Known as El Reventón, the descent is particularly uneven, starting with the river at over 100 metres above sea level. On our descent, we’ll spot Idafe Rock rising up where the ravines meet. This spectacular monolith is linked to the magical religious world of the benahoritas, the indigenous inhabitants of La Palma. 

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Yellow waters and a colourful cascade

Moving down past Idafe Rock leads us to the confluence of the Almendro Amargo Ravine (which we’ve just followed down) with the Limonero or Rivaceras Ravine, which stands out for the yellowish tone of its water, due to the iron ore present at the source. A 10-minute ascent upstream leads us to the Cascada de Colores waterfall, a small natural drop to have been artificially enhanced, where the combination of the yellowish water and the surrounding mosses creates a true feast for the eyes. 

Moving down past Idafe Rock leads us to the confluence of the Almendro Amargo Ravine (which we’ve just followed down) with the Limonero or Rivaceras Ravine, which stands out for the yellowish tone of its water, due to the iron ore present at the source. A 10-minute ascent upstream leads us to the Cascada de Colores waterfall, a small natural drop to have been artificially enhanced, where the combination of the yellowish water and the surrounding mosses creates a true feast for the eyes. 

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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The meeting of the waters

The waters of the Taburiente and Alemendro Amargo Ravines mix at this point, making their way down Las Angustias Ravine to leave La Caldera at the river mouth. A concrete construction may be spotted on the ravine banks, and this is used to divert the river water for agricultural use. The construction uses an ingenious system to remove solids that slow the water flow, meaning it must be cleaned periodically. 

The waters of the Taburiente and Alemendro Amargo Ravines mix at this point, making their way down Las Angustias Ravine to leave La Caldera at the river mouth. A concrete construction may be spotted on the ravine banks, and this is used to divert the river water for agricultural use. The construction uses an ingenious system to remove solids that slow the water flow, meaning it must be cleaned periodically. 

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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Las Angustias Ravine

The last five kilometres running along the ravine and the surrounding slopes are across slightly more challenging terrain. The vegetation progressively shifts from pines to shrub formations dotted with Tabaibas by the end, and all of this is offset by the beautiful geological features of the walls of the river channel.

The last five kilometres running along the ravine and the surrounding slopes are across slightly more challenging terrain. The vegetation progressively shifts from pines to shrub formations dotted with Tabaibas by the end, and all of this is offset by the beautiful geological features of the walls of the river channel.

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Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

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La Palma’s founding rocks

The most striking feature in the final part of the route is the so-called basal complex, formed of rocks to have been produced in underwater eruptions during the process by which the island was created. It is only in the more shallow areas of Las Angustias Ravine that such rocks are visible on La Palma, with the geological phenomenon only seen in one other part of the Canary Islands in Fuerteventura. The rocks stand out for their green colour and format in a series of small cavities, normally separated by a line of rock in a different colour

The most striking feature in the final part of the route is the so-called basal complex, formed of rocks to have been produced in underwater eruptions during the process by which the island was created. It is only in the more shallow areas of Las Angustias Ravine that such rocks are visible on La Palma, with the geological phenomenon only seen in one other part of the Canary Islands in Fuerteventura. The rocks stand out for their green colour and format in a series of small cavities, normally separated by a line of rock in a different colour

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Sustainability

Sostenibilidad

– Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.

– Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.

– Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous ‘towers’.

– Respect the signposting along trails. Leaving the set paths causes damage to the environment and could also be dangerous for you and anyone with you.

– It is safer to keep your pet on a lead.

– Try not to alter the peace of the environment with excessive noise (loud music, yelling, etc.).

La Palma Hiking: How to Hike Caldera de Taburiente

With misty forests, soaring volcanic cliffs and eerie craters – and 600 miles of trails – unspoiled La Palma is catnip for hikers.

It’s the “it” island for hiking in the Canary Islands.

I love hiking, so naturally I wanted to step out for a day of La Palma hiking when our cruise ship visited the island.

While the Seabourn Odyssey offered a great guided hike on La Gomera, it didn’t offer a hiking excursion on La Palma.

So that meant searching online in advance for the best hike on La Palma that we could do – that would also get us back to our ship in time.

For us (my mother and I), a DIY hiking tour turned out to be the best option.

With La Palma island looking like this, we knew we wanted to hike it!

La Palma hiking

Upon arriving in La Palma, we popped in at the Tourist Information Center by the cruise port entrance for maps and information.

Then we set off to catch the #300 public bus.

Destination?

Caldera de Taburiente National Park – tops on the list of things to do in La Palma – with Canary Island pine forests and great hiking trails.

It was a public holiday, so the buses weren’t as frequent as normal. No matter. The bus came eventually. And we found ourselves at the national park’s Visitor Center.

From there, we caught a taxi (as do most visitors) for the 10-minute ride up to the park’s La Cumbrecita viewpoint to start our hike.

Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma

The views from the top of the caldera are quite stunning!

And oh, what a view there was at the top!

Caldera de Taburiente is the largest erosion crater in the world – five miles in diameter.

It was created from water erosion around a volcano that blew up some 2 million years ago.

Encircled by towering peaks more than a mile high, the crater cradles an abundance of waterfalls and gullies, flowering plants and trees.

We didn’t have time to hike to the bottom of the caldera; next time! (Credit: Visit La Palma)

At this elevation, clouds can roll in and and sometimes block your view.

But we were lucky, enjoying clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine. The only clouds were like spoonfuls of whipped cream crowning the tops of the mountains.

We have great hiking in Canada too: Check out this epic day hike to Joffre Lakes

A walk in the park

The Caldera de Taburiente hike serves up fabulous views!

There are several trails within the park.

We picked the loop from Mirador de la Cumbrecita (“mirador” means lookout in Spanish) to Loma de los Chozas to Mirador de los Roques, then back to La Cumbrecita.

This short loop (about two-and-a-half miles) would offer the most bang for our buck in the time we had.

From the La Cumbrecita viewpoint facing the caldera, we turned left. The first stretch of the wide dirt trail is virtually flat, going slightly downhill.

Information signs explained the geological features along the way.

After about 20 minutes of walking, we reached the triangular viewpoint of Lomo de las Chozas.

Soarking peaks a mile high encircle the crater

There really are few words to describe the views of the jagged sculpted mountains that fan out in front of you here.

Just drink it all in – the sheer awesomeness of nature at its wildest.

I shivered with goosebumps as I gazed at the incredible scene.

A couple eat lunch on a break from their hike

At this point, many visitors turn around and go back to the paved La Cumbrecita parking lot.

We turned right to follow a much narrower trail (maybe three feet wide) cutting across the mountainside to the Mirador de los Roques site.

This section of the trail took us to the Mirador de los Roques viewpoint

Another awe-inspiring viewpoint!

We found a couple of rocks to sit on and munched on our ship-made sandwiches we’d brought along.

From there, the return stretch to La Cumbrecita is a zig-zag path uphill, perhaps a 15-minute hike.

Back at the top, we waited for the return taxi, along with another couple who had also hiked in the park. It took a while, but one did come.

And at the Visitor Center, the public bus arrived on schedule for the ride back to the cruise port – and we returned to the ship in good time before it set sail from La Palma.

All in all, a fabulous La Palma hiking day! And it was fun to get out by ourselves and experience a little slice of the island the way we wanted.

Trail to Lomo de las Chozas and Mirador de los Roques

Distance:  Almost 2½ miles

Hiking time:  1½ to 2 hours at a leisurely pace with many photographic stops

Difficulty:  Easy

Love hiking? Read thisHiking Table Mountain in Cape Town isn’t exactly a walk in the park (unless you take the cable car up and walk on top of the mountain)

Caldera de Taburiente hiking: How to DIY

You don’t need to take an organized tour or cruise ship excursion to explore Caldera de Taburiente National Park.

It’s quite easy to visit the park and hike there on your own (most cruises don’t offer hiking tours in the park).

La Palma bus:

The #300 bus is the public bus to to Caldera de Taburiente. The bus stop is a couple of blocks from the cruise port by the BP station.

Buses normally run every 30 minutes.

Travel time to Caldera de Taburiente National Park:

Total travel time from the cruise port at Santa Cruz is about an hour – 45 minutes by bus on a winding scenic road, then a 10-minute taxi ride to La Cumbrecita.

Taxi to La Cumbrecita:

The taxi ride between the park’s Visitor Center and La Cumbrecita costs the set price of 9 Euros, no matter how many passengers. Hikers often share a taxi, so see if you can share a ride with other waiting hikers.

At Mirador de la Cumbrecita, there’s a small paved parking lot and a taxi stand. A taxi usually runs back and forth between the park’s Visitor Center and La Cumbrecita, but you might have to wait a while.

If a taxi doesn’t show up at La Cumbrecita for your return trip, you’ll have to walk back down to the Visitor Center through the pine forest beside the road – not hard, just a bit of a slog (about five miles).

Taxi tour:

Instead of taking the bus, you could organize a taxi from the cruise port to the national park’s Visitor Center, but you can’t count on finding a taxi for the return trip back to the cruise port.

You might have to arrange for your taxi to wait for you while you hike, at a cost of about 30 Euros an hour.

Be prepared:

Once you reach La Cumbrecita, there are no services or facilities. Be sure you pack water and snacks or lunch.

La Palma map

I’ve pin-pointed the Visitor Center for Caldera de Taburiente. (You can zoom in or out on this Google map.)

Other La Palma hikes

The whole island of La Palma is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Other dramatically beautiful natural places include Los Tilos and Volcan San Antonio.

It’s little wonder then that there’s more hiking in La Palma to be enjoyed beyond Caldera de Taburiente.

Also check out these hiking trails on La Palma.

There are some spectacular hikes on the the north coast of La Palma too (Credit: Visit La Palma)

Canary Islands hiking

La Palma is said to be the best Canary Island for hiking. But we also enjoyed hiking in the Canary Islands on other stops on our cruise (at La Gomera and El Hierro).

More resources for hiking in the Canary Island archipelago:

  • Easy to challenging hikes on the Canary Islands tourism website
  • Epic Canary Island hikes on Culture Trip
  • Three best trails for hiking in Gran Canaria on Lonely Planet

Planning your next trip?

See the following helpful services:

Our Travel Resources Guide | Get airline booking tips. Discover great travel, tour and car rental companies. And find crazy useful trip planning info!

Booking.com | Score a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one.

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La Palma: Caldera de Taburiente National Park Guided Hike

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Activity provider:

La Palma Outdoor

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Discover the Caldera de Taburiente Park on a guided hiking tour from the Los Brecitos observation deck and stop at the Waterfall of Colors. Enjoy a bus transfer from several La Palma meeting points.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Duration 6 hours
Check availability to see starting times.

Live tour guide
English, German, Spanish

Pickup optional
The bus stops to pick up guests at the the Bus stop no. 5, or Estación de Guaguas Santa Cruz de La Palma line 500, at 9:05 AM.

Private group available
  • Stroll through rocky vegetation and in the shade of Canary pine and cedar trees
  • Capture pictures of the bright colors of the mineral-rich Waterfall of Colors
  • Listen to your guide tell stories about the history this stunning national park
  • Pass over wooden bridges and babbling streams, and through deep ravines
  • Experience lush heart of the National Park of La Caldera de Taburiente

Explore the Caldera de Taburiente National Park on a guided hiking tour with bus pickup and drop-off from meeting points on the island. Admire this park which encompasses a crater that is 8 kilometers in diameter and 1,800 meters deep. Pass through ravines and view the Waterfall of Colors.

Board a comfortable and air-conditioned bus at one of the centrally-located meeting points in La Palma. Relax on the scenic drive to the Los Llanos de Aridane Bus Station. Transfer to a spacious 4X4-bus ride to the Los Brecitos observation deck. 

Begin your hike with sweeping mountain views. Walk through rocky vegetation and under cedar and pine trees. Keep an eye out for local birds as you follow your guide along the PR LP 13 trail to uncover the lush heart of the National Park of La Caldera de Taburiente.

Pass over wooden bridges that span sparking streams. Stop to swim in the cool waters of Playa de Taburiente. Rest before traveling the through the Taburiente ravine to get to the vibrantly colored Waterfall of Colors.

Finally, take the Las Angustias ravine through volcanic formations to get to the Los Llanos de Aridane Bus Station. Transfer back to your meeting point on the bus.

  • Hiking tour
  • Guide
  • Transfer from various points or self transfer to meeting point, depending on option selected
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Pregnant women
  • People with mobility impairments

Please park in the parking lot if you come directly with your own car.

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Overall rating

4.2

/5

based on 5 reviews

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Friendly knowledgeable guide

The excursion did not start on time or the duration was as expected. The distance was also far from expected. On the other hand, we stopped to eat in the sun, there being recommended places along the route. As a positive point, the guide explained and indicated very well.

Product ID: 415696

La Palma and Caldera de Taburiente

Today the whole island of La Palma is under the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, after initially in 1983 the laurel forest of Los Tilos was established as a first biosphere reserve, which was the first on all Canary Islands. It is an outstanding fact that in this reserve a complete terrestrial surface is pro­tected including large surfaces of absolutely pristine ecosystems and a legacy of human influenced habitats. Since 2011 the island represents the first UNESCO starlight reserve worldwide. The central part of the island is preserved as a national park “Caldera de Taburiente” established as early as 1954.


 


Fig. 1: Northern coast of La Palma with semi-arid succulent shrubland (at the left Dracaena drago and Euphorbia canariensis) including the single habitat of Lotus eremiticus on almost inaccessibly steep rocks.

 

With 87.000 inhabitants in total on more than 700 km2, population density is low on the island. In addition, large parts are simply inaccessible and unfavourable for human settlements. Tourism and agriculture (bananas and other crops) are the main income. Thus, nature is the most valuable resource of the island.

La Palma is the northwestern island of the Canary Islands, positioned in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northwestern Africa (Fig. 1). La Palma is a relatively young volcanic island reaching an age of roughly 1.7 Ma (Carracedo et al. 2002). The maximum elevation measures 2426 m, the area 708 km2 (Carracedo et al. 2002). Climatically, La Palma is a ‘mini-continent’ exhibiting a subtropical climate with not very pronounced seasonality but moist winter and dry summer (Garzón-Machado et al. 2013). But, the climatic conditions differ considerably within the island.

Annual precipitation ranges from about 170 mm to almost 1400 mm, annual temperature from about 9 to around 22°C (Irl & Beierkuhnlein 2011). These strong differences are not only related to the altitu­dinal gradient. La Palma is strongly influenced by the trade winds blowing from the Northeast. This creates a climatic divide of the island. The windward side is generally more humid receiving the most precipitation and higher cloud cover, while the leeward side is dryer and has more insolation. La Palma is the most humid island of the Canarian archipelago.

However, above the trade wind-induced cloud zone a thermal inversion layer exists, generally exhibiting dry conditions and possessing the possibility of snow and ice in winter (García-Herrera et al. 2001).

 


Fig. 2: Laurel forest – a relict ecosystem from the Tertiary period that is characterised by constant humidity and shade. Most species are clonal as the options for reproduction are rare.

 

The vegetation zones directly follow the climatic gradients (Fernández-Palacios & de Nicolás 1995). These zones range from halophytic communities in arid coastal areas to succulent scrub and thermo­phile woodlands in semi-arid lower elevations, over the endemic Canary Pine forest in mid elevations to a high-elevation summit scrub. On the windward side a palaeo-endemic evergreen humid laurel forest and a slightly less humid tree heath-Morella faya forest exist at mid elevations in the zone of the trade wind clouds instead of the Canary Pine forest (del Arco-Aguilar et al. 2010, Garzón-Machado et al. 2013).

According to Acebes Ginovés et al. (2010) La Palma possesses 37 single island endemic plants (which is an underestimated number as various scientifically un-published species are known, 210 archipelago endemics to the Canary Islands).

The Caldera de Taburiente National Park (Parque Nacional de La Caldera de Taburiente), is located on the island of La Palma in the archipelago of the Canary Islands, Spain. This park ranges between 250 and 2426 m a.s.l. Large areas of the park are simply inaccessible due to steepness and instable rocky substrates. This supports natural processes and reduces the influences of visitors to narrow mar­gins of the very few paths through the park. However, the restricted access to the ecosystems also avoids precise mapping and field work. Sophisticated remote sensing and modelling approaches are urgently required due to the extreme three-dimensional structure of the surface.

 


Fig. 4: Caldera de Taburiente summit area close to the Roque de los Muchachos in 2400 m a.s.l.. The national park covers large surfaces that are absolutely inaccessible to humans. Even climbing is impossible due to the loose texture of the volcanic parent material. Remote sensing is challenging due to the frequent cloud layers in the caldera.

 

The park is dominated by endemic plant species. Especially, the vegetation is characterised by a high percentage of endemics and especially single island endemics. Recently, even plant species that are new to science were found in the national park. Europe has the responsibility to safeguard this biologi­cal heritage.

 


Fig. 3a,b: The Canary Pine forest that is shaped by forest fires is substantial for the water budged of the island as it is collecting the fog and cloud interception with its surface roughness and long leaves.

 

This park is one of the very few examples of untouched and pristine ecosystems within the whole area of the European Union. These ecosystems are unique but also characteristic for islands. Large areas are covered by Canary Pine forest (Pinus canariensis). In the deeply incised gorges and valleys, flow­ing water exists all year that is supported by permanent springs. This is unique for the Canary Islands.

Along these brooks and rivers in the Barranco de los Angustinos, Canary Willow (Salix canariensis) woodlands exist, where Pericallis papyracea is frequent.

 


Fig. 5: View into the caldera and its natural pine ecosystems. This circus-like structure was a natural fortress for the last independent tribe of the Guanche people. Until recent years, single island endemic species are discovered at steep slopes that are new to science.

 

In the summit area, single island endemics that do not exist in other places of the world are frequent. Following species are remarkable and unique: Genista benehoavensis, Adenocarpus viscosus ssp. spartioides, Echium gentianioides, Echium wildpretii ssp. trichosyphon, Descurainia gilva, Arrhena­therum calderae, Viola palmensis. The rocky outcrops are occupied by a large set of island endemic species (e.g. Aeonium palmense, Aeonium nobile, Aenonium davidbramwellii, Senecio palmense, Tolpis calderae). In the shady and moist places relicts of the tertiary flora such as Woodwardia radi­cans are to be found. The forest ecosystems are strongly influenced by natural wildfires. Species such as Pinus canariensis or Cistus symphitifolius are perfectly adapted to these disturbances. However, Europeans have introduced non-native invasive herbivores (rabbits, goats, rats) that have caused severe damage to the sensitive vegetation since centuries. Here again, novel approaches for restoration and preservation are urgently needed. Furthermore, the extraction of water from this catchment for irrigation purposes, which is based on traditional regulations, is a challenge for nature conservation, but sound data on the impacts of this uses are missing.

The national park area is of high importance for cultural aspects, too. This was the site where the last tribe of the native Guanche people survived, using the steep slopes of the caldera as a national fortress. Artefacts and sacred places of this culture exist in the national park. The geomorphological shape of the crater-like structure is the locus typicus for the term “caldera” which was given to this specific landscape by Leopold von Buch at begin of the 19th century. However, it turned out much later that the caldera structure on La Palma was created mainly by erosion and not by the collapse of a magmatic chamber.

In general, island ecosystems are known to be extraordinarily sensitive to human impact. Europe has the responsibility to protect these ecosystems that are of global importance. La Palma still hosts natu­ral ecosystems and a large series of endemic species. In contrast to other European islands such as the Azores, invasion processes are still of low importance. However, the steep slopes and the moist climate make it impossible to access major parts of the island. Remote sensing approaches are urgently needed, here!

 

References

Irl, SDH; Steinbauer, MJ; Babel, W; Beierkuhnlein, C; Blume-Werry, G; Messinger, J; Palomares-Martínez, A; Strohmeier, S; Jentsch, A: An 11-yr exclosure experiment in a hgih-elevation island ecosystem: introduced herbivore impact on shrub species rechness, seedling recruitment and popluation dynamics, Journal of Vegetation Science, 23, 1114-1125 (2012)

Irl, S; Steinbauer, M; Epperlein, L; Harter, D; Jentsch, A; Pätz, S; Wohlfahrt, C; Beierkuhnlein, C: The hitchhiker’s guide to island endemism – biodiversity and endemic perennial plant species in roadside and surrounding vegetation, Biodiversity and Conservation, 23, 2273–2287 (2014)

Steinbauer, M; Beierkuhnlein, C: Characteristic Pattern of Species Diversity on the Canary Islands, Erdkunde, 64(1), 57-71 (2010)

Steinbauer, M; Dolos, K; Field, R; Reineking, B; Beierkuhnlein, C: Re-evaluating the general dynamic theory of oceanic island biogeography, Frontiers of Biogeography, 5(3), 185-194 (2013)

Steinbauer, M; Otto, R; Naranjo-Cigala, A; Beierkuhnlein, C; Fernandez-Palacios, JM: Increase of island endemism with altitude – speciation processes on oceanic islands, Ecography, 35, 23-32 (2012)

 

Click here to download a poster of the protected area.

Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Caldera de Taburiente