About La Caldera de Taburiente
La Caldera de Taburiente National Park stands as one of the most captivating attractions on ‘La Isla Bonita.’ Named after the colossal volcanic crater at its heart, this park boasts a unique ecosystem, where water nourishes lush vegetation within the crater’s expanse. It’s a real-life oasis, cradled by verdant forests and framed by the awe-inspiring vistas that define La Palma, offering an unforgettable experience for all who visit. The park features a network of trails catering to individuals of varying skill levels. Many opt to start their journey with a taxi ride to the summit at Los Brecitos overlook, embarking on a leisurely four-hour descent from this vantage point. For those seeking more rigorous hikes, the full loop starting from the base of the mountain presents a rewarding challenge. Adventurous souls can satiate their thirst for excitement by navigating the uppermost rim of the crater, where oxygen levels dip and panoramic views take one’s breath away. La Caldera de Taburiente National Park offers a spectrum of experiences, ensuring that each visitor can savor the park’s natural wonders at their own pace.
The adventure begins
The most sought-after adventure within the park unfolds along the scenic trail from the Los Brecitos lookout point. To reach this vantage point, visitors can park at the mountain’s base and enlist the services of one of the waiting taxis (typically priced around 50 euros). Conveniently, Casa Luminaria is strategically positioned just 3 kilometers up from the base and directly on the official trail. Guests staying at Casa Luminaria have the choice to seamlessly join the trail from the house itself or enjoy the added benefit of one complimentary ride to Los Brecitos during their stay, enhancing their exploration of this captivating route.
Brecitos Look out Point
At the Los Brecitos lookout point, you’ll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the inner crater. This is the perfect spot to capture mesmerizing photos and videos, and it also serves as the starting point for your exhilarating descent.
Scenic overlooks
The park is adorned with a multitude of scenic overlooks, each offering a spellbinding panorama that never ceases to amaze. What sets La Caldera apart is the plethora of side trails that crisscross the terrain, ensuring that every hike through the crater is a unique and captivating journey.
Gentle Life
La Palma and the Caldera de Taburiente embrace a gentle realm of wildlife, where the absence of predatory or perilous creatures fosters a serene and safe environment. The island is graced by a diverse avian population, featuring friendly and inquisitive Graja Crows native to La Caldera, along with buzzards, falcons, kites, sparrow hawks, pigeons, and canaries. The island’s arachnids, while numerous, pose no threat to humans; in fact, they perform a valuable service by capturing and devouring pesky mosquitoes. Bees, the tireless pollinators of the island, ensure the vitality of flowers and avocado trees. Even the wasps found here embody a peaceful disposition. While exploring, you’ll frequently encounter geckos darting about, and if fortune smiles upon you, you may spot the resplendent and undisturbed La Palma Giant Lizard basking in the sun along the trails. This harmonious coexistence of diverse and gentle wildlife adds an extra layer of enchantment to the island’s natural allure.
Roque de los Muchachos
At the summit of La Caldera de Taburiente, behold Roque de los Muchachos, the site of one of the world’s premier observatories. Here, you’ll encounter a hub of unparalleled:
Star-gazing
Roque de los Muchachos boasts some of the clearest skies on Earth, owing to its exceptional climatic conditions and unique geographic features. The blankets of clouds below the peaks serve as natural mirrors, effectively shielding the pristine night sky from light pollution emanating from the towns below. As a result, Roque de los Muchachos has earned its distinction as one of the world’s premier destinations for stargazing enthusiasts.
Astronomical Research
High above La Palma’s pristine skies, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) benefits from extraordinary conditions ideal for cutting-edge astronomical research. Remarkable breakthroughs in our understanding of the cosmos have been achieved through the telescopes at ORM, encompassing the detection of galaxies at the farthest reaches of the universe, the affirmation of black hole existence, and the compelling evidence that the universe’s expansion is accelerating.
Filming Locations
The rugged, desert-like terrain and mesmerizing celestial vistas found at Roque de los Muchachos make it a prime destination for filming fantastical adventure sequences. Netflix’s acclaimed fantasy-adventure series, ‘The Witcher,’ chose La Palma as its backdrop, with Roque de los Muchachos featuring prominently. In Season 1, episode 6, viewers can immerse themselves in the quest for the Golden Dragon’s cave, where Yennefer and Geralt embarked on their incredible journey.
