La Peña Viewpoint

Beautiful views of El Golfo from Guarazoca

From the La Peña Viewpoint in Guarazoca (in north of El Hierro), the consequences of a breath-taking prehistoric event are clearly visible: the giant landslide that occurred millions of years ago and created the El Golfo Valley. The cliffs of this huge crevice - fifteen kilometres wide and one and a half kilometres high - is covered by dense endemic vegetation. At its foot lies a volcanic plain with vineyards and orchards that ends in the blue Atlantic. From La Peña you can also admire the unspoilt Salmor rocks, a sanctuary for El Hierro's giant native lizards.

A César Manrique-designed viewpoint in El Hierro

The viewpoint building itself is an absolute jewel designed by César Manrique, the great Canarian architect who devoted his life to creating organic spaces. In La Peña, Manrique used numerous plants, large windows and masonry ceilings to create a cosy and cool atmosphere. Inside, visitors can enjoy the exclusive Mirador de la Peña restaurant, with its extensive menu of Canarian dishes using products such as pineapples and excellent fresh fish produced in this island, which has been declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.

Altitude

645 m

Landscape type

Mixed

Protected space

Special Nature Reserve

Hiking trails

Parking

Restoration

Guarazoca

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Sustainability

- Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
- Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
- Respect and look after the different items of public furniture (information panels, railings, seats, lighting, binoculars and telescopes, etc.).
- Respect the signposting along trails. Leaving the set paths and spaces causes damage to the environment and could also be dangerous for you and anyone with you.
- Try not to alter the peace of the environment with excessive noise (loud music, yelling, etc.).