A quiet walk around Valverde

A magical island... and an ecological one

El Hierro has managed to become the first Canary Island to meet its energy needs with 100% renewables. It has achieved this through the Gorona del Viento wind-pumped hydro power station. The island is very small, but there is plenty to see. On the stop, you will be able to enjoy the place and the local people. This route is geared more towards discovering the ecological, sustainable side of the Meridian Island on our tour.

Port of La Estaca

One of the peculiarities of Valverde is the fact that the port is not close to the village. Quite the contrary. It lies nearly 8.5 kilometres from the town. Valverde can be reached by bus, however. You can take either the number 07 or the 11. Both the journey up to the village from the port and the return trip down to the port from the village takes over 20-25 minutes. The port has a ferry terminal, a waiting room and bathrooms. A visit to the little shrine of San Telmo is also recommended.

Walk to Gorona del Viento

It is well worth taking a walk to one of the first power plants that runs entirely on the renewable energy available on the planet. It can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. Access is easy via a prepared trail leading to the artificial reservoir that was built specifically to generate electricity for the island. You can take advantage along the way to take in the views of the cliffs of El Hierro and the sea, which is beside the path.

Up to Valverde, towards Echedo

Go back to the port again, this time to take a bus that will take us up to Valverde (numbers 07 or 11), to the bus station. From here, take another bus (number 9), in the direction of Echedo. In this tiny rural space, we can enjoy the true charm of the island. Although it is mostly a residential area, there are also some places where you can take refreshment after a walk.

Pozo de las Calcosas

Pozo de las Calcosas is a village of fishermen’s houses clad in black stone to blend in with nature and topped with straw roofs. Access to the natural swimming pools on the coast is via some small pathways paved with stones and shells. To reach this hamlet, once again take the number 9 bus in this direction. It is a good idea to ask the bus driver to tell you where it is, so as not to go back to Valverde by mistake. If you are short on time, because you decided to go to Echedo, best return to the station.

Back to the bus station

After completing our visit of Las Calcosas (or Echedo, depending on how we managed the time available), we take the number 9 bus again, from Las Calcosas/Echedo, to the bus station in the centre of Valverde. Afterwards, go back to the port of La Estaca, using bus lines 7 or 11. If you still have some time, you could have a little something in the port cafeteria.

Valverde

Un tranquilo recorrido por Valverde - galeria2

Un tranquilo recorrido por Valverde - galeria3

Un tranquilo recorrido por Valverde - galeria4

Un tranquilo recorrido por Valverde - galeria5

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.
- Use the waste- paper baskets and, insofar as possible, separate and place your recycling waste in the appropriate containers.
- Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
- 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'.
- In natural spaces and at viewpoints, do not leave the trail or the spaces designated for people to be in.
- Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the public furniture and items for visitors, such as information panels or telescopes and binoculars.