Iero canary island. Canary Islands: La Gomera and El Hierro
El Hierro is the westernmost and smallest island of the Canary archipelago, better known among the locals as "Isla Chiquita" - a small island. Due to the lack of sandy beaches, Hierro is hardly affected by the tourism industry.
But this is superfluous
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How to get to Hierro
The island has air links to the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma. There is a regular ferry service connecting Puerto de la Estaca with Tenerife and Homera.
Search for flights to Tenerife (nearest airport to Hierro)
Transport
Public transport is practically not developed on the island, so it is better to rent a car to travel around Hierro. The roads are generally good, rarely with difficult-to-pass sections.
Hierro beaches
Tamaduste is located 10 km from the capital - a quiet cove with a pleasant beach, a favorite vacation spot for the islanders. 8 km from Valverde - Pozo de las Calcosas: comfortable pools for swimming and many black stone bungalows, which can be reached by steep steps.
Playa de Arenas is a sandy beach popular with tourists and locals.
The most beautiful beach on the island is Playa de Verodal. Small, with reddish volcanic sand, lying at the foot of a high cliff, this beach, despite its picturesqueness, is not very popular - and all because of the bad road.
Feast of the apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Hierro
La Restinha is also one of the most popular resorts on Hierro. There is a large hotel, a residential complex and the Avenida Maritima promenade, which is famous for its many shops, bars and restaurants. In the center of the resort there is a small black sand beach. The beach offers rich opportunities for water sports, including diving. The surrounding waters are protected, and the local scuba diving base is open all year round and offers excursions and night expeditions.
The Marine Nature Reserve in the south of the island is a diving paradise.
Hierro Hotels
There are only 800 tourist beds on the island, most of whom are Canarian residents who vacation here in July and August.
Shopping: shops
Handicrafts flourish on the island, just like hundreds of years ago: ceramics, weaving and wood carving. All this splendor can be bought in shops as well as in village markets.
Hierro attractions and attractions
The main attractions of Hierro are natural.
The capital of the island is Valverde (the full name is La Villa de Santa Maria de Valverde) - a small town located on the slope of an evergreen valley. The only cultural monument here is the Church of Santa Maria de la Concepcion, built in 1767.
Casas de Guinea is an ancient Norman settlement of the 15th century, considered one of the oldest on the island. An ecological museum is open here - a complex of shepherd's huts, reconstructed and furnished with furniture from different eras.
Lagartario is a nature reserve, where natural habitats are provided for rare breeds of lizards (one and a half meters!), Found only on Hierro.
- Where to stay: On the largest, multifaceted and hospitable island of the Canary archipelago - picturesque Gran Canaria, a variety of hotels in the main resort of which - Maspalomas - can satisfy every taste. We recommend Lanzarote for nature lovers - there are as many as 300 extinct volcanoes. Tenerife has a rich nightlife, but the coast is steep and rocky. On
At first glance, the island may seem inhospitable and unwilling to receive crowds of noisy tourists. The predominantly steep coastline looks harsh and inaccessible. And if you look closely, you discover small bays, magnificent natural pools, over a dozen places for diving into the depths of the ocean. It is not for nothing that Hierro is considered the best place for diving in the Canary Islands!
7 useless facts about the island of Hierro
Despite the lack of mass interest from tourists, vacation on this island is not considered something inaccessible and "elite". No, it's just that there really isn't much entertainment to attract restless youth, not so much attractions to keep adults busy. What the hell is there to do here? Rest in body and soul, because Hierro is, first of all, a separate world at the end of the world. Well, besides all these mental things, here you can do the following ...
What can you do on Hierro Island?
- Dive into the depths of the ocean
- Take a walk along one of the hiking trails
- Paragliding
What are the highlights of paragliding on the island of Hierro? And the fact that here you will have the opportunity to simultaneously (!) Enjoy the sound of the ocean, the view of the mountains - and all this against the backdrop of the cloudless firmament.
Very convenient: you can drive up to any starting point by car.
| Launch site name | Height, m | Delta of heights, m |
|---|---|---|
| Malpaso | 1501 | 1200 |
| Dos Hermanas | 1267 | 1000 |
| 1100 m | 1100 | 878 |
| Pino verde | 900 | 870 |
| 800 m | 867 | 650 |
| La peca | 800 | 750 |
| Las prendas | 650 | 100 |
| 600 m | 624 | 410 |
| Carraskan | 600 | 75 |
| Charco manzo | 200 | 180 |
| Las lapillas | 120 | 100 |
| Tacoron | 60 | 40 |
The island itself is relatively small (like an equilateral triangle with 25 km sides), but this does not make hiking trails less exciting. There really is something to see here: diverse flora, magnificent landscapes, the ancient settlement of bimbache, an ethnographic museum, etc. etc. Below is a somewhat boring table with route options for every taste.
| Route name | Vertical drop, m | Duration of the hike, h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Pinar - Tacoron | – | 2,5 | Easy route without elevation differences. Covers some areas of Frontera Rural Park |
| El Pinar - El Golfo | 1150 | 3,5 | The Taibique - Tigaday route, or, as it is also called, the wine route. The end point is in the El Golfo valley, famous for its vineyards and wines |
| Camino de Los Llanillos | 1155 | 3 | The Taibique - Charco Azul trail allows you to admire beautiful natural backwaters |
| El Pinar - La Dehesa | 240 | 6,5 | The difficulty of the route is medium. Acquaintance with the ethnography of the island of Hierro - the way of life of the aborigines. Again, you will have to walk in the Frontera Rural Park |
| Camino de la virgen | 1500 | 12 | Ascent from the coast to the peak of Malpaso. The hiking trail passes through Frontera Rural Park and Ventechis Nature Reserve |
| La Restinga - Pozo de la Salud | 1100 | 9,5 | On the way, you can enjoy the view of volcanoes and traces of their former activity. The fishing area of \u200b\u200bLa Restinga serves local cuisine. The path itself passes through the territories of the Frontera Rural Park and the Mencafete Nature Reserve |
| Camino del Norte | 300 | 3,5 | Route Valverde - La Pena |
| Cruz de Calvario - Charco Manso | 555 | 2,5 | The difficulty of the route is medium. At the end you can admire the beautiful natural backwaters |
| Isora - Las Playas - Isora | 1100 | 7 | The difficulty of the route is high. Suitable for experienced tourists |
| Tinor - Puerto de la Estaca - Tinor | 940 | 3,5 | -//- |
| Valverde - Puerto de Estaca - Valverde | 650 | 2,5 | -//- |
Diving
If you want your first scuba diving experience to be like a fairy tale, then we advise you to take your time to travel to Hierro Island. Do not despair if you are not new to diving - here everyone can find a decent dive site. Most of them are located off the southern coast of the island, but the small village of La Restinga is considered a real Mecca for divers. Below we have presented some of the best places to dive into the calm waters of the Sea of \u200b\u200bTranquility Reserve.
| Dive site | a brief description of |
|---|---|
| El Puerto | Option for beginners. The water is clear, allows for night dives |
| Punta las Cañas | Another option for newbies. The depth does not exceed 12 m |
| El Rincón | A simple dive option. The depth varies between 10-20 m, there are small caves |
| El Lajial | Similar to Punta las Cañas, only the depth is greater |
| La Herradura | Dive of medium difficulty. Depth 8-35 m |
| Cueva del diablo | A dive for beginners in a place with a terrifying name. Diving in a shallow cave |
| El Bajón | An option for experienced divers. The dive site is located three hundred meters from the coast in the south of the island of Hierro. Strong currents make diving difficult, as well as considerable depth (50-80 m). Rich underwater world |
| El desierto | A simple dive option. Among the local inhabitants you can see garden eels, dark grouper, fish flute |
| El Tacoron | Option for beginners, familiarization with various types of marine life |
| El roque de tacoron | The peculiarity of this dive site is that you can see a large-headed sea turtle here. |
| Baja rosario | Virtually no current, making this a good choice for beginners |
| Los Saltos | 3 grottoes, several caves and arches, depth about 40 m |
Pozo de la Salud Resort
| About the resort | Short description |
|---|---|
| Location | Near the town of Sabinos in the La Frontera area |
| Hotel equipment | 18 rooms (2x), picturesque mountain or sea views, a restaurant, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, swimming pool with solarium, hydromassage showers, fitness and relaxation rooms |
| Service staff | Highly qualified |
| Direction | Treatment with mineral waters (skin, rheumatic, diseases of the digestive tract, bronchitis, herpes, etc.) - external and internal |
| Mineralogical composition of waters | SiO2, SO42-, HCO3–, NO2, Cl–, Fe3 +, Al3 +, Ca2 +, Mg2 +, K +, Na +, Li +, NH4 +, traces of PO43-, NaNO2, NH4Cl, KCl, Ca3 (PO4) 2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, NaCl , MgCl2, MgSO4, Ca (HCO3) 2, Mg (HCO3) 2 |
| Organoleptic indicators | Odorless, subtle salty |
| Cosmetological effect | Softens the skin, promotes rejuvenation |
| Souvenirs | There is a specialized craft shop |
El Golfo Bay
The island is divided by sheer cliffs into two parts: on the northern coast there is the El Golfo valley, as if pressed by the finger of some crazy giant. It is believed that once upon a time there was an earthquake (the islands of some volcanic origin), as a result of which part of the island broke off and fell victim to the treacherous ocean. You can pay tribute to the beauty of the valley from observation decks, for example, from Mirador de la Pena, which we will talk about below. Grapes are actively grown in the valley, which means that in any village you can taste good white wine.
The marvelous forest of La Dees in El Sabinar
Do you want to see the most unfortunate plant? Then you should head to the La Deesa forest. The famous Canary juniper grows in this place - the tree looks as if it survived all hurricanes and miraculously kept its roots.
Pools Tamaduste (El Tamaduste)
A visit to the small village of Tamaduste can be an unforgettable experience. It is notable for the fact that it is located on the coast of the ocean, which is formed by bizarrely solidified lava. Over the years, the water has given the material the appearance of pools, which has determined the fate of this place. By the way, they are found in several places along the northern coast of the island.
Mirador de la Peña Restaurant
If you happen to visit the northern part of the island of Hierro, be sure to check out the Mirador de la Peña restaurant (Guarazoca), which can be safely called a local landmark. This institution is a real observation deck, which, together with the original architecture and the opportunity to taste local dishes, looks very good. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the building, has its own garden and terrace, which offers a picturesque view of the surroundings of the smallest of the Canary Islands.
Tourists note the following features of this place:
- magnificent views from the terrace. Moreover, to enjoy them, you can order regular coffee;
- cozy atmosphere in the institution;
- the opportunity to taste both local cuisine and those familiar to foreign tourists;
- polite and tactful staff;
- high prices
How to get to the island?
There are ferry and air transport links between Tenerife and Hierro. The ferry can be reached within 4-4.5 hours, including from the island of La Gomera. Water transport is not only cheaper, but also opens up new opportunities for exploring the coast. On the other hand, a half-hour plane journey from Tenerife North Airport allows you to capture the island from the air. The port is located in the town of La Restinga, the airport is not far from Valverde.
Where to stay?
There are not so many places where you can stay - in general, the island has 2 thousand hotel beds. Many offers at very affordable prices can be found in Valverde. If you have to choose among inexpensive hotels, then you should pay attention to the cluster of hotels in the Parador del Turismo area. There are many hotels in the capital of the island and the adjacent coastline. Do you want an exclusive? Then we go to the chic hotel-parador "El Hierro", located in the eastern part, or check into the smallest hotel in the world - "Club Punta Grande", which is located in the El Golfo area.
To get a little guided in prices, then for renting a two-room apartment:
- bedroom + living room;
- fully equipped bathroom and kitchen;
- be sure to have a balcony or terrace
- you will have to pay about € 50 ± 10 per day (no matter how many people live).
What to eat?
Obviously, on the island surrounded by the ocean, mainly seafood dishes are offered - a standard set typical for the cuisines of all the islands of the Canary archipelago. It is worth trying the fish soup, in addition to that, good smoked cheese is made here, the restaurant can offer a specialty - roast rabbit. You should definitely order a bottle or two of local wine, the grapes for which are grown in the El Golfo Valley.
The average price for lunch or dinner is around € 10-15.
Holidays
The Spaniards are religious people, as evidenced by their tradition of mass celebrations of the appearance of various saints. The smallest of the Canary Islands is no exception. Once every 4 years on September 24, on the Hierro, on the route from the chapel in the forest of La Deesa to the island's capital, a statue of the Virgin Mary is carried in honor of her appearance in Los Reyes. The action has a carnival shade, accompanied by dances and songs. The tradition is quite old - it began in 1643. The last celebration took place in 2011, the next one will be in 2015.
For souvenirs in El Pinar
But first, let's take a look at the observation platforms El Mirador de Tanajara and El Mirador de las Playas - they allow us to fully appreciate the beauty of the southern part of the island. Moreover, this is on the way to the village of El Pinar, which is famous for its artisans. Here you can buy a beautiful wicker basket, buy a drum or a reed pipe. It is from here that these musical instruments go to the other 6 islands.
P.S.
Be sensible. Do not expect that in a couple of days you will be able to recognize Hierro from all sides. You have to fly here for at least a week. Only then will you be able to slightly open the veil of secrecy of this small but cozy island. See you at Hierro!;)
At an altitude of 700m overlooking the sea
This is one of the creations of the famous Canarian architect Cesar Manrique. From here you can see the impressive landscapes of the El Golfo Valley with its cliffs up to one kilometer high. Here you will find a restaurant with a wide selection of traditional Canarian dishes, which are offered to taste while admiring the delightful scenery.
Garoe tree
Secrets of the past
In a very beautiful place, this tree is located, which is considered sacred to the inhabitants of Hierro, because once its leaves collected rainwater, which was used by the local population. Today there is an information center where you will get acquainted with the phenomenon of horizontal rains and all the secrets of this extraordinary place.
Charco-Azul on the island of Hierro
A natural pool just for you!
The natural salt water pool in the majestic El Golf Valley is a gift from volcanic eruptions to the inhabitants of the island of Hierro. After a refreshing swim, you can sunbathe on the wooden deck. Despite the fact that this is almost a pristine place where there are not many people, it is quite easy to get here.
Frontera Rural Park
Enchanted forest
In this protected area, you can feel like in an enchanted forest. Admire these beautiful trees up to 8 meters high, bent by the force of the wind. Such a landscape can be seen only in three places around the world, so we are talking about one of the main symbols of the island of Hierro ..
Exploring the Island
The port and airport are close to Valverde, the capital of the island, located off the coast. Valverde is located at an altitude of 700 m above sea level - in the old days it protected the city from pirate raids. Valverde is a small town. In its center stands the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church. There is not much to see here, although you can visit the Casa de las Quinteras mansion (open: Mon-Fri 9.00-14.00, Sun 10.00-13.30) and get acquainted with the folk crafts of the island. But entertainment in the many bars and restaurants on El Hierro will delight you. From the bus station you can take a bus to other parts of the island. If you are a car driver, take a scenic drive across the island to the small town of San Andrei, and from there climb to Mirador de la Peña in the northern part of El Golfo. Once these rocks were part of a huge volcanic crater, but about 50 thousand years ago, part of the crater slid into the sea, leaving behind a fertile valley and a huge bay. On Mirador there is a restaurant built by Se-zar Manrique. The views from there are stunning in beauty.
You can go through the Moncanal tunnel from Valverde to Frontera. The main attraction of this town is the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria church with a free-standing bell tower, built right on the crater of the volcano. Near Frontera on the coast is the Lagartario Giant Lizard Sanctuary (open: July - September Tue-Sat 10.30-14.30, 17.00-19.00, Sun 11.00-14.00; October - May Tue-Sat 10.00-14.00, 16.00-18.00, Sun 11.00-14.00 , paid entrance). Here you can also visit the Ecomuseum Guinea (open: July - September Tue-Sat 10.30-14.30, 17.00-19.00, Sun 11.00-14.00, entrance fee), where Canarian dwellings have been recreated from the time of Spanish colonization to the 20th century.
To the west is the pretty town of Sabinosa, the secluded monastery of Nuestra Senora de los Reyes and the El Sabinal juniper forest. Juniper-sabinosas, twisted and entangled by strong winds, are an extraordinary sight. Cape Punta Orchilla is located very close - once through this point passed the zero meridian, which in the 19th century. was moved to Greenwich. From here the road leads to the best beach on the island of Playa del Verodal.
To get to the southeastern part of El Hierro, you need to return to the central axis, and then drive through green pastures and pine forests to the town of El Pinar.
The town is famous for its ceramics and curious decorations. Then the road goes along the harsh volcanic plain to the fishing village of La Restinha. There is a diving center on the black volcanic beach, and there are several good fish restaurants in the village itself. The neighboring bay, Baia de Naos, is a marine nature reserve.
Divers' paradise
In 2000, UNESCO declared El Hierro and its coastal waters a biosphere reserve. All forms of life are protected in this area. Picturesque underwater landscapes and abundance of marine life make the island the best diving destination in Spain.
El Hierro can be safely called the most unique island of the Canary archipelago. Among its main features are miniature dimensions, which in no way detract from the dignity of this amazing corner of the planet. The entire territory of the island is a series of interesting natural attractions, there are also interesting historical sites here. In addition, there are several dozen magnificent beaches on the territory of El Hierro, so the island has long been popular with tourists who prefer to spend time on the coast. About 10,000 people live permanently on the island, El Hierro managed to preserve not only its amazing nature, but also its unique national flavor.
The capital of the island is the city of Valverde, a very picturesque and picturesque village, which is literally immersed in an abundance of green spaces. Among the outstanding sights of the capital is the Punta Grande Hotel, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records. The fact is that after opening this amazing hotel received the status of the smallest hospitality establishment in the world, it is known far beyond the borders of the country and is very popular with travelers.
Among the outstanding natural attractions of the miniature island, it is worth noting the La Deesa forest. It is the only natural reserve in the world where the “sabina” tree grows in natural conditions. The dimensions of this tree are quite impressive, the height can reach 8 meters. The tree also looks very unusual, its trunk is a complex plexus of branches, it is simply impossible to confuse a rare tree with others. Copyright www.site
Hikers should definitely go to Cape Orchilla, which is a layer of solidified lava. It is here that the ancient lighthouse is located, the westernmost lighthouse in Spain. More recently, Cape Orchilla was literally considered the end of the world, the prime meridian passed here.
The city of El Pinar is ideal for exploring the culture and traditions of the indigenous population. There is a huge number of interesting craft shops where you can buy original musical instruments, wicker baskets and wood crafts, as well as amazingly beautiful handmade canvases. In the northern part of the island is the beautiful El Golfo Valley, which is covered with beautiful orchards and vineyards. Travelers will have the opportunity not only to walk through picturesque places, but also to visit several local wineries, as well as purchase their best products.
Those who want to see the most valuable historical monuments of the island should visit the village of La Frontera. For many hundreds of years, local residents have managed to carefully preserve the cultural traditions of their ancestors, into which they proudly dedicate guests from distant countries. There is a small open-air museum in the village, the main "exhibits" of which are ancient houses of indigenous people with a completely preserved environment.
The highest point of the island and one of its main natural attractions is the Malpaso peak. Its height is 1,500 meters, the ascent to the top of the mountain does not require special preparation, and therefore absolutely everyone can do it. This amazing place is the best suited for admiring the scenery, from the top of the mountain all areas of the island are perfectly visible. This is just a small part of the entertainment available to El Hierro guests.
El Hierro is considered an ideal destination for beach lovers and scuba divers. In the vicinity of the capital there is a charming bay of Tamaduste, on this stretch of coast you can enjoy the calm sea and the gentle sun. The majority of the visitors to this beach are locals. The beach of Pozo de las Calcosas is very unusual; this stretch of coastline has several comfortable, quiet backwaters. It will be comfortable for family tourists to relax here, and the beach is also very popular with romantic natures. There are several charming bungalows built of black stones along the coast, making a stay in such an unusual setting unforgettable.
