Roque de Los Muchachos
7 km
+ 150 m. / – 200 m.
Approx. 4 hours.
Important: punctuality
Towards the sky of La Palma
On the highest peak La Palma from where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view and a sea of clouds that is hard to forget, El Roque de Los Muchachos (2,426 m). It is considered one of the best places in the world for astronomical observations and therefore one of the most important international telescopes is located here.
From the Mirador del Roque de Los Muchachos we take the GR-131, also known as “El Bastón”, which borders the ridge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. The route begins with a remarkable incline that gradually decreases as you approach a series of telescopes and can observe these peculiar scientific infrastructures. We will enjoy stunning views along the hike highlighting the interior of the caldera, one of the largest erosion craters and geological gems in the world.
In the summit route we will find diverse vegetation such as cedars, codesos, broom, summit thoughts and tajinastes, whose bloom in spring gives another attraction to the landscape that fills the top of the island with several colors. The path crosses a basaltic stone wall, the wall of Roberto, protagonist of a unique legend.
North of the Caldera de Taburiente, the feeling of floating in the void becomes greater, we are on the Mirador de Los Andenes, from where you can see almost in its entirety the gorge of the Barranco de Las Angustias. From here, the path winds through the various obstacles that the orography of the place offers us to reach the Pico de La Cruz, a point that allows us to see El Hierro, La Gomera and Tenerife on clear days.
A gift for the senses is to hike into the sky of La Isla Bonita because La Palma is much more than a volcano.
El Roque de los Muchachos is located at the highest point of the island of La Palma at 2,426 meters altitude. An incredible place where nature and astronomy go hand in hand, as it is also home to the Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory (ORM), one of the most important telescope facilities in the world.
La Palma, thanks to its clean and dark sky, which also has a special protection, is the law of the sky (to protect the quality of the sky), one of the places with the best conditions in the world for astronomical observations.
With our transfer we will take you to the Roque de los Muchachos itself, where you will have a privileged view over the National Park La Caldera de Taburiente, a huge erosion crater of about 1,500 meters depth, covered with pine forest and crisscrossed by winding ravines. This is a must for anyone visiting the island. Its panoramic views and the lush picturesque vegetation of the place, mainly legumes and glandular brooms, create an image that is difficult to forget, especially in the heyday. In addition, from there you can normally see on the horizon the other neighboring islands: Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro..
Once our transfer leaves you at the highest point of the island, you can enjoy several hiking trails. We recommend the opportunity to walk along the GR 131 on the edge of La Caldera and enjoy the incredible views over the clouds. The contrast between telescopes and nature does not easily go unnoticed.
On this hike, you can start at the Roque de Los Muchachos viewpoint, pass several telescopes, enjoy the views from Pico de la Fuente Nueva, or along the way see how the cedars, sequoias, and summit pansies are among the few survivors who have managed to assert themselves here against the extreme hostility of the environment. A little further on we find the so-called Pared de Roberto, who attributes the legend to the hand of the devil. And at the Mirador de Los Andenes, where the road is within reach again, after about an hour and a half you have an almost unreal feeling of floating in nothingness. If you want to continue on the path, there are always small ascents and descents on this route until you reach the Pico de La Cruz, which is about 5 kilometers from the starting point (about two hours). And even if you’re not an experienced hike, you will get to the Pico de La Nieve (2,232 m) (10 km and about 4 hours). Remember that you will have to deviate a few meters to crown its summit. Later you will have to go back to the intersection of the main road where our transfer will be waiting for you at the specified time.
There are several collection points in our transfer route. Check the pick-up times before deciding if you want to continue to the next point!
If you are also a hiking lover, the Roque de los Muchachos is connected to several hiking trails that you can do, and they are connected to one of our regular transport lines to return to your starting point.
GR 131: ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOS – EL TIME – PUERTO DE TAZACORTE
You can also follow the route to the port of Tazacorte, where you have the option of swimming on the beach or enjoying a drink in the many facilities the place offers, and then return with our regular transport lines. (Check the timetables in www.tilp.es for lines 27, 29 and 110 to Los Llanos or Puntagorda).
GR 131: ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOS – PICO DE LA NIEVE – EL PASO
Another, longer option of this route takes us further to the Refugio de El Pilar (without regular transportation service) or to the El Paso Visitor Center, where we have the alternative of taking the regular line to the summit (check the timetables of line 300 in www.tilp.es). This option is ideal for those who want to park their vehicle at the El Paso Visitor Center, take our one-way transfer and walk down the path from El Roque de Los Muchachos.
- Comfortable clothes and suitable footwear. In the winter months, warm clothing.
- Recommended: Sun protection, sunglasses and cap.
- Enough food and drink for the whole day.
- Mobile phone with a charged battery.
- Don't forget your camera because you will definitely need it
