La Palma: Roque de los Muchachos

Here is some more Winter sunshine for you, a visit to one of the "must see" attractions on La Palma. Roque de Los Muchachos is the highest point in the island, a collection of rocks towering high up in the clouds at nearly two and a half kilometres above sea level.

The summit area is also a hotbed of astronomic activities, as we drove past countless observatories as we neared the top. La Palma is renowned for its clear skies and apparently is the second best location for astronomy in the northern hemisphere. Yes you read correctly - we drove up as opposed to walking - but the drive was more than an adventure as we headed up through countless hairpin bends with near vertical drops.

The views form the summit were simply stunning, you could look right over the cloud to El Tiero over on Tenerife.

Looking southwards we had a fine view over the Caldera de Taburiente, deep into the lush forest far below us.

Over to the west past the jagged crags we could see the expanses of banana plantations and beyond we could see the coast and the villages of Tazacorte and Puerto Naos.

We had a short walk to the central viewing point and the view from here into the Caldera de Taburiente was simply stunning! The GR131 (long distance footpath) passes this spot but we had a busy holiday schedule of things to see and places to visit, so we've saved that one for another time.

I have a couple more La Palma posts for you, before a triumphant return to the Lakes and a great little circular in the North Western Fells, so watch this space!