Since the highest mountain on La Palma has been accessible by road, more and more nature-lovers feel the urge to climb Roque de Los Muchachos to look down on the island from an altitude of nearly 2,500 metres. Spectacular old paths cross these peaks, and they were used by the islanders taking their wares from one place to another. Our route starts at Pico de la Cruz (2351 metres), running over the mountains to Roque de Los Muchachos.
We immediately discover the impressive precipices that lead to La Caldera de Taburiente: cliffs over 1000 metres high that form a semi-circular rim with a perimeter of 27 kilometres. The views are spectacular, revealing every last corner of the island. Our path winds gently up and down though the mountain peaks.
When we get to Los Andenes Look Out Point, we look north. From east to west, we can see all the tiny little villages clinging to their coastal cliffs. The whole of the north of La Palma is covered with a mantle of green vegetation.
A little further on, the path goes through a stone wall that appears to be man-made. La Pared de Roberto (Roberto’s Wall), origin of innumerable legends, was created as the result of the cooling of a mass of magma that rose up and out of a crack in the mountain. Time and erosion have exposed this basalt dyke.
The Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory is located very close to the highest peak: Roque de Los Muchachos. A series of metal domes house instruments for observing space belonging to different European countries.
