Nature Trail of El Hierro. Circular Trail

The circular trail around the island of El Hierro runs through the so-called "traditional paths” of the island, which were used in ancient times for the population to move from one point of the island to another, making it possible for us to learn about the means of transport and communication used by the islanders before and after being colonized by the Crown of Castile. The roads of the circular trail go all over the island, from the high lands to the coastline, revealing along the way a great quantity and quality of contrasts which, at first blush, a small area such as that of El Hierro does not seem likely to encompass.

In successive sections, the path hides under laurel forests and goes through crop lands in Valle de El Golfo; it glides along wide meadows used as pasture for cattle in the higher plateaus, crosses ravines, ascends to viewpoints and goes through volcanic areas; it travels along areas where the whim of the winds twists the shape of savin junipers, it becomes steeped in the cultural traditions of El Hierro while it strolls along the streets of villages, and allows travelers to enjoy the permanent presence of an ever present seaside.

The trail starts from the coastal area of Verodal, on the west of the island. It heads for the south, past the shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes, and goes through Julán and the villages of El Pinar, Isora, Puerto de La Estaca, and, upon reaching the eastern part of the island, goes through the villages of Valverde, La Caleta and Tamaduste. From this village, the trail begins its journey along the northern part of the island, going through Echedo, the shrine of the Virgen de la Peña - with stunning views of the island - , San Andrés, Jinama and El Golfo, to finish in Sabinosa, at the Pozo de la Salud (Well of Health).

During the more than 112 kilometers of the trail, we will go through different protected natural spaces, such as the Rural Park of Frontera, the Marine Reserve Punta de La Restinga-Mar de las Calmas, the Special Natural Reserve of El Tibataje, the Protected Landscape of Timijiraque and the Natural Monument Las Playas, with the famous Roque de la Bonanza, representative symbol of the island.

The trail will also get us near very important assets of the natural and cultural heritage of the island, such as the areas of El Lajial and El Sabinar, different archeological remains of aboriginal cultures and places of interest such as the Centro de Interpretación del Parque Cultural de El Julán (Interpretation Center of El Julán Natural Park), the Guinea Eco-museum, or the well-known Lagartario or Lizard’s Centre, where the giant lizard of El Hierro fights against extinction.