Route: Roque Palermo
Area: La Palma
Date of walk: 24th January 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.4 miles
Weather: Sunny
Today’s walk started from the roof of La Palma, at around 8,000 feet above sea level, and was one of the most spectacular walks of our lives. The car journey to the start was an adventure in itself, involving a steep 45 minute drive up innumerable hairpin bends to a point near the world renowned Observatory – one of the three best on the planet and home to the largest optical telescope in the world
Before starting the walk, we drove up to the Roque de los Muchachos (the Lads’ Rock), which is the highest point on the island. This gave us an introduction to the surrounding scenery, dominated by the awe inspiring Caldera (‘Cauldron’) – a huge crater shaped mountain arch which is now a national park. After a brief stroll along the top we drove back down the road for a short distance and parked in a small space near a mapboard to start the walk
As with many walks on La Palma, this is a linear walk – it would be impossible to plan a circular route in such surroundings. Our route took us along the rim of the crater, with stupendous views at various points along the way, until we reached the furthest point at the summit of Roque Palermo. From here there were superb views over the Caldera and Cumbres Nueva and Vieja
We descended from the summit and retraced our steps back to the start, stopping frequently to gawp at the ever changing views. This is a walk which could – and should – be attempted by any reasonably fit walker who happens to be on the island. The paths are quite rough but no worse than anything to be found in the Lake District, and there are no issues with vertigo unless you stray from the path – which is well waymarked and quite easy to follow
This was a red letter day, and credit to Discovery Walking Guides excellent guide book for suggesting the route to us
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The night before the walk - a skyful of stars
After a drive requiring plenty of concentration we arrive at the top of La Palma to be greeted by a raven above the Observatory
The Observatory from Roque de los Muchachos - Lads’ Rock - and some of the spectacular views from the rock…
Mount Teide in Tenerife in the distance, Spain’s highest peak
After that enjoyable diversion we park our rented car a little further down the road to start today’s walk
The mapboard illustrates the terrain well - we are walking along the top left of the rim of a massive volcanic crater, with drops of up to 6,000 feet
We set off along the dusty path, which is perfectly safe and there are no issues with vertigo - unless you stray too far to the left
Looking back to the Observatory
Two fellow walkers further along the path
Peering down into the crater as we walk along its rim…
A distant view of Mount Teide in Tenerife
Further along the path
The route occasionally veers closer to the edge, giving sensational views into the crater and beyond it
The path is well waymarked and it would be hard to go astray - any deviation to the left would result in a flat head
Looking down one of the many precipitous gullies…
Summit of Roque Palermo at 7,578 feet in old money
Clouds build up within the steep canyon walls of the aptly named Caldera (cauldron)
Looking north towards the ocean
We watch the cauldron bubbling up…
We retrace our steps back to the start
Ever changing views make the return journey seem like a new one - what a wonderful walk it had been
Back at our rented villa, sunset…
A golden end to a golden day
