La Palma — Hiking & Starry Skies★★★
La Palma is the greenest and steepest Canary Island — the "Isla Bonita" (beautiful island) receives more rainfall than its neighbors and is covered with lush laurel forests, pine forests, and banana plantations. At its center yawns the Caldera de Taburiente — a 9 km wide, 1,500 m deep erosion crater, one of the largest in the world.
La Palma is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Spain's first Starlight Reserve — the law prohibits light pollution, and on the Roque de los Muchachos (2,426 m) stand some of the most powerful telescopes in the world. The night sky here is so clear that you can see the Andromeda galaxy with the naked eye.
In September 2021, the volcano Cumbre Vieja erupted and destroyed over 1,600 buildings. The affected areas in the west are slowly recovering; the rest of the island remains untouched and welcomes visitors.
Plan for 5–7 days — La Palma is the ultimate hiking island of the Canaries.
Hiking & Nature
★★★ Caldera de Taburiente
The national park around the gigantic erosion crater is La Palma's crown jewel. The standard hike leads from Mirador de los Brecitos down into the caldera and through the Barranco de las Angustias gorge — 16 km, 6–7 hours, 1,000 meters downhill. Along the way: waterfalls (Cascada de los Colores with its rust-colored rocks), Canary pines, rock needles, and absolute wilderness.
Taxi to the starting point Los Brecitos: 18 € from Los Llanos. Good hiking boots and 2 liters of water are mandatory. Register in advance via the national park website (free).
★★★ Roque de los Muchachos
The highest point of La Palma (2,426 m) and location of the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos — one of the most important observatories in the Northern Hemisphere. On clear days, you can see all the western Canary Islands at once. The sea of clouds (mar de nubes) below the summit is breathtaking.
Observatory tours: June–November, approx. 16 €, book in advance via iac.es. The road to the summit is passable year-round (except in snow/ice). Dress warmly — even in summer, it can be 5°C cold at the top.
★★ Bosque de los Tilos
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a piece of primeval forest in the middle of the Canaries. Laurel trees (Laurisilva), giant ferns, and moss in a mystical cloud forest that has survived since the Tertiary period. The circular hike through the Cubo de la Galga (2.5 hrs, easy) is the most accessible route.
★ Ruta de los Volcanes
The volcano route (17 km, 6–7 hrs, demanding) runs along the volcanic ridge of the Cumbre Vieja, past dozens of craters, with views of both coasts at once. One of the most spectacular hiking trails in Europe.
💡 Tipp
La Palma has over 1,000 km of marked hiking trails (GR long-distance trails and PR circular routes). The free app "Senderos de La Palma" has all routes with GPS, elevation profiles, and descriptions. Hiking poles are worth their weight in gold on the steep descents.
Starry Skies & Astro Tourism
★★★ Stargazing on La Palma
La Palma has one of the clearest night skies in the world — thanks to the Ley del Cielo (Sky Law of 1988), which regulates light pollution, flight routes, and industrial emissions. The result: On 200+ nights per year, perfect viewing conditions, Bortle scale 1–2 (the best there is).
What you see: Milky Way in full splendor (like a luminous band), Andromeda galaxy with the naked eye, endless shooting stars, and under good conditions the zodiacal light (light pyramid on the horizon).
Guided Tours: Several providers offer night tours with professional telescopes (see Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, nebulae!). From 40 €/person (2–3 hours), including hot drink and blanket. The best: Astrotour La Palma and Cielos La Palma.
Best Time: New moon nights from May to October. The Perseids (mid-August) are a natural spectacle on La Palma — up to 100 shooting stars per hour.
Astronomical Viewpoints
La Palma has 16 official astro-viewpoints (Miradores Astronómicos) with information boards and optimal alignment. The best:
- Llano del Jable (1,200 m) — Easily accessible, clear horizon to the south, parking
- Mirador del Molino (Barlovento) — Northern tip, little light pollution
- Roque de los Muchachos (2,426 m) — Above the clouds, but cold and windy