Stage 3: Camino de los Pastores - Julán

From the shrine of the Virgen de los Reyes, the third stage of this circular trail begins at the junction with Camino de la Virgen (Road of the Virgin), already described in the second section, and continues along a dirt track that goes through the meadows typical of this part of the island, mottled with the twisted shapes of isolated savin junipers (Juniperus turbinata ssp. canaríensis).

The first stretch of the path will allow us to cross the entire Valle de El Julán, following a route that was used by the shepherds of El Pinar when they wanted to reach their animals, which grazed for much of the year on the meadows of La Dehesa.

After having gone through a small grove of Canary Island pine (Pinus canaríensis), the trail joins for a few meters the road that goes down to the lighthouse at Orchilla, and then returns to a dirt track and, further on, a path that goes through a region named El Julán. The trail here consists of a steep slope that descends from the crests of Valle de El Golfo to the coastline along the southern hillsides of the island. El Julán is a depopulated area completely pierced by ravines with a volcanic substrate.

In the stretch of the path that goes through the area of El Julán we can admire the purest specimens of original pine grove, since the trail approaches the lowest levels of the island where it is possible to find Canary Island pines, which grow from the foothills up to the summits. We will also find on our way tabaibas (Euphorbia sp.) and junipers, which thrive in this area.

Along the trail we will see old stone shelters that were used by shepherds to move their herds to the grazing lands on the commons, and we will eventually grow accustomed to the view of flocks of ravens (Corvus corax) flying over us. Among all the islands of the archipelago only on El Hierro it is possible to see such large numbers of these birds.

Shortly after sighting a majestic fire tree (Myrica faya) that grows in one of the numerous ravines that cross El Julán, the trail reaches the Interpretation Centre of El Julán Cultural Park, boasting a splendid view of Mar de Las Calmas and the marine reserve of La Restinga.

From the intersection with the road that goes through El Julán (the only asphalt road that traverses this part of the island) the trail continues along a forest track. In its initial stretch, the path goes between the rim of the pine belt and an area of farm lands and plots growing a variety of crops. From the path, we can see La Empalizada Mountain, repopulated with Monterey pines (Pinus radiata).

Later on, the trail leaves the pine belt and begins a continuous descent between dry stone walls that used to mark the boundaries between mostly abandoned farms, where there are patches of prickly pears (Opuntia maxima), common figs (Ficus carica) and other fruit trees, although most of the farms grow vineyards, as is the case in most of El Hierro.

The vast forests of Canary Island pine, ranging from a level of 900 m up to the summits of the mountains, have determined for centuries the life of the population of this area, as evidenced by the very name of El Pinar (pine grove), a recently established municipality whose name has its origin in the forest wealth of this part of the island. This municipality consists of the urban areas of Las Casas and Taibique, located on the southern rim of the great pine forests that carpet a large area of this municipality.

Shortly before reaching the neighborhood of Taibique, the trail leaves the Parque Rural de Frontera (Frontera Rural Park), which we have been touring from the start. A highlight of Taibique - a predominantly rural village - is its ornate square, where this section of the trail ends.