La Isla Bonita
Sharp ridges, unique plants, spectacular peaks, dense forests, and landscapes from the age of dinosaurs. All of this comes together on La Palma, a young island that shelters several worlds. Also known as the Green Island or the Beautiful Island due to its lush vegetation, La Palma is located in the northwestern part of the Canary Islands archipelago. The uniqueness of its ecosystems, which harbour exclusive species of flora and fauna, led to its designation as a World Biosphere Reserve. The volcanic nature of the island stands out, as it is volcanoes that shape its spine from north to south, making possible the abundance of fresh water it boasts, in the form of springs, streams, and even small rivers, making it the only Canary Island with this valuable resource.
A PARADISE FOR HIKERS
The natural richness it holds, the mild climate, and the well-developed trail network make the island an ideal destination for hiking all year round. The Caldera de Taburiente, the popular “roques” (rocky monoliths) such as Roque de los Muchachos, which at 2,426 meters is the highest point on the island, its famous sea of clouds, the springs of Marcos and Cordero, and the laurel forest in the Natural Park of Las Nieves, are some of the places we will visit and never forget.
THE Caldera de Taburiente NATIONAL PARK
The area of the Caldera de Taburiente was declared a National Park in 1954, becoming the second protected area in the Canary Islands to receive this designation, after Teide National Park in Tenerife, and the fourth in Spain. The geological formation of the Caldera is considered the most iconic natural wonder of the island. The species that predominates and shapes the landscape is the Canary pine, which is remarkable for its ability to withstand fires thanks to its millennia-long adaptation to the flames caused by volcanic eruptions: its bark burns, but it continues to live internally. Inside the caldera, the laurel forest is also present, known in the Canary Islands as "monte verde" (green forest), which is of great ecological importance as it condenses the generous mists that provide water to the island.
2021 ERUPTION
On September 19, 2021, two fissures opened in the area known as Cabeza de Vaca, marking the beginning of what has been, to date, the longest recorded historical eruption, which ended on December 13, 2022. One of our groups, which had been there since the previous day, was a privileged witness to this event that has changed the island's landscape, destroying homes and farmland belonging to thousands of families in the municipality of El Paso.
