Caldera de Taburiente National Park

Taburiente is a huge bowl at the centre of La Palma, several kilometres across, walled by a ridge that rises well above two thousand metres and drained by a single gorge to the sea. It was formed by erosion and collapse rather than by one eruption, despite the name. The classic walk starts at Los Brecitos, reached by a four wheel drive taxi, and descends across the basin past springs and Canary pine to the Barranco de las Angustias, taking most of a day. For a short visit, the Cumbrecita viewpoint looks into the caldera from the rim and needs a parking slot booked in advance.

What you actually see

• The caldera rim - a continuous wall of peaks enclosing the basin.
• The Los Brecitos descent - the long walk down through Canary pine to the gorge.
• Cascada de Colores - a mineral-stained waterfall near the bottom of the route.
• La Cumbrecita - the rim viewpoint for those not walking, by booked parking slot.

When to go

Spring and autumn give stable weather and comfortable walking temperatures. Book the Cumbrecita parking slot online days ahead; without it you are turned away at the barrier. The full crossing needs an early taxi and around six hours on foot, so start at first light. Winter can bring snow to the rim.

Honest expectations

The main route runs one way and needs a taxi arranged at the top and a car or lift at the bottom. It is long, dusty and hard on the knees, with several stream crossings on loose stone. There is no food or water beyond the campsite spring. Cumbrecita parking is capped and books out, and cloud often fills the basin by midday.

Nearby

Santa Cruz de la Palma on the east coast; the ridge observatories at Roque de los Muchachos.