The Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a natural wonder located in the heart of La Palma, is a must-visit destination for lovers of nature and geology. Proclaimed as such in 1954, this park houses a huge volcanic depression that is eight kilometers in diameter and reaches a depth of up to one and a half kilometers, characterized by its dense Canarian pine forests and deep ravines.
The caldera, which plays a crucial part in the formation of the island of La Palma, emerged from the seabed due to repeated volcanic eruptions, culminating in a spectacular landscape dominated by basalt and the iconic Roques, monoliths resistant to erosion.
- What to see in the Caldera de Taburiente? →
- Camping Area and Taburiente Beach →
- Las Angustias Ravin and Color Waterfall →
- Caldera de Taburiente Hike Details →
- Short route to the La Palma Color Waterfall →
- Caldera de Taburiente: Flora y Fauna →
- Recommendations →
- How to visit the Caldera de Taburiente →
- Map
What to see and do in the Caldera de Taburiente?
- Explore its trails: The Caldera de Taburiente offers a network of trails for all levels of experience, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its unique nature.
- Bathe in the Taburiente River: Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Taburiente River, a perfect place to relax after a hike.
- Rest in the camping area: Take advantage of the designated camping areas in the Caldera, where you can rest and connect with nature.
- Walk in the Barranco de Las Angustias: A route that takes you through impressive rock formations and a varied landscape.
- Photograph the Cascada de los Colores: Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the beauty of this unique waterfall, known for its vibrant colors.
- Walk among the scent of century-old pines: Enjoy the serenity and aroma of the ancient pine forests, some of which are hundreds of years old.
- Enjoy panoramic views: From various points of the caldera, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views that offer a unique perspective of the landscape.
To thoroughly explore the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, it’s essential to prepare with hiking boots and walk through its pine forests. Alternatively, you can visit the advanced visitor center in El Paso and enjoy the impressive views of the caldera from the exceptional viewpoint of La Cumbrecita.
Explore the Caldera de Taburiente Route: An Unforgettable Natural Adventure
Discover the thrilling PR LP 13 trail route on the island of La Palma, perfect for adventure-loving tourists looking to explore the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and its spectacular landscapes. This medium-difficulty trail delves into the heart of the Caldera de Taburiente and crosses the Barranco de las Angustias, offering you a unique hiking experience in La Palma.
Camping Area and Taburiente Beach: A Hidden Oasis in the Heart of the Caldera
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the park’s camping area offers a unique and rugged stay. This camping area, which requires prior reservation, provides an opportunity to spend the night in a natural setting under the pines of Taburiente, with basic services and surveillance staff.
Inside the park is the unique Taburiente Beach, accessible via a trail that takes two hours through Canarian pine forests, leading visitors to cold, crystal-clear waters that meander among rocks and vegetation. This beach is characterized by its environment of pebbles and rounded gravel, offering a unique landscape far from the traditional coast. The Caldera de Taburiente stands out for its water richness, with more than 70 springs and galleries, reflecting the importance of water in the island’s history and culture.
In the Caldera de Taburiente, the waters flow continuously until they meet at the well-known Dos Aguas area, marking the beginning of the impressive Barranco de Las Angustias. This place, recognized for its beauty and uniqueness, is a favored destination for hiking enthusiasts. The Protected Landscape of the Barranco de Las Angustias spans four municipalities in La Palma: El Paso, Tijarafe, Los Llanos de Aridane, and Tazacorte, the latter being the point where the ravine concludes.
Among Great Rocks and Vegetation: The Stunning Beauty of the Barranco de Las Angustias in La Palma
The Barranco de Las Angustias is a feast for the senses and a paradise for hikers, thanks to its dazzling nature and rock walls covered in lush vegetation. This natural environment is especially notable for its dense forests of cedars and Canarian pines, a species exclusive to the region. Exploring this ravine rewards with one of its most precious treasures: the enchanting and famous Cascada de Colores, a landmark that enhances the experience of visiting this extraordinary natural space.
Curiosity about Caldera de Taburiente Natural Park
In 2020, a significant discovery was made in the Barranco de Las Angustias, showing that about 200,000 years ago, a vast lake existed inside the Caldera de Taburiente. This discovery was achieved through the efforts of José Heriberto Lorenzo Pérez, an Environmental Agent of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
Caldera de Taburiente Hike Details
The most popular stretch
The hike begins in Los Llanos de Aridane and extends over 28 kilometers, with an approximate duration of 9 and a half hours. However, the most popular route is the one from Los Brecitos lookout to the Barranco de las Angustias parking lot or La Viña parking lot, about 15 km long with a duration of approx. 6 hours. At the La Viña parking lot, you can park your car and hire a taxi (book in advance) to the Los Brecitos lookout, which will be your starting point.
Once at the viewpoint, it will take you an hour and a half to get to the heart of the Caldera de Taburiente, where the camping area is located. Take the opportunity to refresh yourself in the cold waters of the stream, and enjoy incredible sites like the Color Waterfall before continuing your hike down the Barranco de las Angustias. Most of the hike is downhill. At the end of the route, you will arrive at La Viña parking lot, where you can pick up your car or continue to Los Llanos de Aridane.
Another option is to book the group guided hike that will take you back and forth from your accommodation to cover the full route.
This hiking route will allow you to contemplate the interior of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the largest erosive depression in Europe, and admire its impressive Canary Island pine vegetation and unique geological formations, paying special attention to the rocks of the Barranco de las Angustias. Enjoy the unparalleled views of the mountains and the bright sun throughout the day, making this tour one of the best hiking tours in La Palma.
Explore de Caldera de Taburiente with a guide
Discover Europe’s Largest Volcanic Crater: Epic Group Trekking Tour Inside La Palma’s Heart, the Majestic Caldera de Taburiente!
Short route to the La Palma Color Waterfall
How can you get to the color waterfall? If you wish to visit the Color Waterfall in La Palma without doing the full route, we suggest the Barranco de las Angustias route, a rewarding and quite demanding challenge.
From the Barranco de las Angustias parking lot, embark on a one-and-a-half-hour journey, 13 kilometers round trip following the bed of the ravine. Prepare to enjoy steep landscapes and a winding trail until you reach Dos Aguas. Taking the detour, a short trip will take you to the impressive Color Waterfall.
Curiosity about Color Waterfall
The Color Waterfall, although not a natural monument nor created for tourist purposes, is a peculiar and fascinating phenomenon. During the 1960s, a wall was erected to retain the water from the Caldera, and over time, iron has stained the surface, creating a vibrant mix of colors. This chromatic effect, along with the moss and black volcanic soil, gives the Color Waterfall a surprising look that captivates visitors.
Caldera de Taburiente: Flora y Fauna
The Caldera de Taburiente is a sanctuary of biodiversity, boasting rich flora and fauna. Its ravines and peaks host a diversity of vegetation, including Canarian endemisms, typical La Palma rock plants such as Codeso or Retamón, and the majestic Canarian pine, a unique species of the Canary Islands capable of living up to 500 years. This conifer is distinguished by its erosion resistance, its ability to grow in poor soils, and its notable fire resistance.
As for the fauna, the Caldera’s ground is home to a wide variety of centipedes, common frogs, and lizards; kestrels, ravens, blue tits, red-billed choughs, and canaries animate its skies, while bats and rabbits hide in its landscape.
Recommendations before going on the excursion to the Caldera
- Be sure to wear suitable clothing and footwear for hiking, as well as enough water, food, and sunscreen.
- Carry a map or GPS and a fully charged mobile phone for emergencies.
- Check the weather factor: it is not recommended to go out when rain, wind, or heatwave alerts are expected.
Caldera de Taburiente map
How to visit the Caldera de Taburiente without a map
BY CAR:
- Leave Los Llanos de Aridane heading northwest on LP-212 towards El Paso.
- Continue on LP-212 for about 4 km until you reach El Paso.
- When you arrive at El Paso, take LP-3 east, towards Caldera de Taburiente.
- Drive on LP-3 for approximately 8 km.
- Turn right at the intersection with LP-301 (signposted towards Cumbrecita and Caldera de Taburiente).
- Continue on LP-301 for about 7 km until you reach La Viña parking lot.
WITH A TOUR AGENCY:
By booking a guided group hike, the tour agency will take you back and forth in a minibus from your accommodation to the Los Brecitos viewpoint, then cover the full route.
