Stage 4: Santo Domingo de Garafía - Puntagorda - Tijarafe

This stage starts right where we left off, at the exit of the Sables ravine. Soon we reach the Plaza Baltasar Martín, next to the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Luz. This church has the unique feature of two naves, something unique in La Palma and even rarer in the rest of the Canary Islands, while it also features a beautiful Mudejar coffered ceiling.

The first few kilometres of this stage run along the LP-114 road, as it follows the route of the old Camino Real or Royal Way route. It is important to exercise extreme caution on this section, especially on sharp bends and changes of gradient, where visibility is limited. We soon leave the municipal capital of Santo Domingo de Garafía behind passing by the town hall and the football pitch. Although the first ravines are crossed by asphalt paths, the landscape on both sides of the road, covered with vegetation that fills the ravine depths, offers a beautiful contrast and a visually attractive experience.

After overcoming the Fernando Porto ravine, take an asphalted track next to a bus stop that ascends to area of Cueva de Agua. Less than a kilometre later, the route leaves the asphalt in favour of a path next to a small square with a statue of the Virgin. The descent to the barranco del Atajo ravine begins, followed by a demanding climb to the Lomo de Briesta. This section is particularly challenging due to the loose road surface and steep gradients.

Having climbed up the ravine, we leave the path to continue along a track that crosses a few agricultural holdings and we pass some impressive Canary Island pines (Pinus canariensis). The track gives way again to a path that begins to descend as it enters the Briesta ravine, one of the largest of those found on this stage. At the bottom of the ravine, the path meets the LP-114, along which you walk briefly before turning off again to ascend a path that crosses a cultivated area. After passing some buildings, the route returns to the road, offering a moment to regain strength before continuing the journey.

Back on the road, it is important to walk with caution, especially on the first stretch of curves where visibility is poor. After almost a kilometre, passing some scattered houses with their vegetable gardens and a small ravine, we take a detour to the right along a dirt track.

After about 700 m, at the bottom of a ravine and next to a rural tourism complex, there is the option of taking an alternative route. Although it does extend the route a little, this branch offers walkers the chance to enjoy some of the most beautiful Canary Island dragon trees (Dracaena draco) in Buracas, home to the highest concentration of these iconic trees in all the Canary Islands. The route also passes through the archaeological and ethnographic site of the Buracas Caves, consisting of several natural cave settlements, petroglyphs and necropolises. This detour, a little over 1600 m along a track and cobbled paths, reconnects with the main route just before reaching the area of Las Tricias.

Returning to the main route, the path gains height, crossing the ravines of La Mejera and Corchete. Here, the landscape is enriched by the presence of an aqueduct and by a beautiful route surrounded by dragon trees and other vegetation at the bottom of the ravine. Soon we reach the point where the alternative branch returns to the main trail and continues southwards between the scattered houses Las Tricias, crossing, on a couple of occasions, an asphalted track that leads to the Gofio Interpretation Museum (MIGO).

Gofio, one of the essential ingredients of the traditional Canarian diet, is an unsifted flour made from toasted cereals, usually wheat or maize, known locally as millo. This food, which has its roots in the culture of the aboriginal Canary Islanders, has endured as a gastronomic symbol of the islands. The MIGO was inaugurated in 2016, is located in the old Las Tricias mill, which remained in operation until the mid-20th century. All locals went to this mill with their grain and, due to its location, the neighbours could see if the blades were working before making a visit. The long waits, especially on windy days, turned this place into a meeting place for the locals.

The path then goes over the Corchete ravine again, but without descending, and returns the road, which it follows for half a kilometre before leaving it again next to a large house. As you walk through the scattered buildings, you can appreciate the valuable ethnographic heritage of the area, with traditional architectural elements such as threshing floors and cisterns. After crossing a small ravine, the descent begins, along a paved track protected by a fence, towards the Iznaga ravine. Both the descent and the subsequent ascent are in the shade of a pine forest, making this demanding section of the stage somewhat more bearable.

Once the ravine is crossed, in the municipality of Puntagorda, and after crossing the road, the path continues through pine trees until it reaches La Rosa Nature Centre. Here, we begin a slight descent between mansions and vegetable gardens until we cross the road again in the direction of the town of Puntagorda. Our route does not venture too far into this town, as it turns off at the next point without reaching the large Pino de la Virgen, one of the most characteristic elements of this town.

The path continues its course around Puntagorda, running parallel to the LP-1, which it crosses near some industrial warehouses. Continue just 300 m along the other side of the road, passing another traditional mill, before crossing the road again. Here the path runs along a track that connects with scattered houses and crosses the Barranco de El Roque ravine. After crossing yet again, the route follows a path that skirts the Barranco de Garome ravine about halfway up the side, winding through pinegroves. The path gradually gains altitude before reaching a track that descends towards the Casa del Trigo recreational area. Near here, just across the road, is a viewpoint that offers an impressive panoramic view of the Garome ravine, with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.

Once in the municipality of Tijarafe, the path enters the village of Tinazara. At first it winds its way between scattered houses surrounded by fruit trees and orchards, and then continues along a fully developed street that passes by the Shrine of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, a simple temple, but one with special views. Just over a kilometre after the shrine, the asphalted road becomes a cobbled track that descends to the Barranco de la Baranda ravine.

The last 5 km of the route follows a similar pattern, alternating between cobbles and tarmac between scattered houses and fruit orchards. The route also crosses several ravines, some quite large, such as the Pinillo, Cueva Grande and Aserradero. Along the final stretch, the path enters the asphalted streets of El Pueblo de Tijarafe, the municipal capital. The route then crossed the LP-1 once more, next to the Tijarafe fairground, recognisable by its large white textile cover. On the other side of the road, we continue on Calle Alcaldesa Mª Nieves Martín, which leads to the end of the stage next to a square where a traditional wine press has been restored just behind the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.