Roque de los Muchachos is the highest mountain on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands and is known for astronomical observatories. The clear skies and elevation create an ideal scenario for telescopes, and they also make for ideal weather for photography and hiking across the rocky landscape.
The mountain is a part of Caldera de Taburiente National Park, which is an amazing place to spend the day hiking immersed in the natural, rocky beauty of the region. You'll find many trails that vary in difficulty, with some accessible for kids and adults of all ages and others that are better for experienced hikers.
What are the highlights of Roque de los Muchachos in the Canary Islands?
The most incredible feature of Roque de los Muchachos is the rugged beauty of this barren, extinct volcano. You can hike to the crater’s edge to observe the massive 1,500-metre-deep caldera that remains from when the top of the volcano exploded at the last eruption.
If you visit the park on a cloudless day, you'll want to find a clear view to photograph the neighboring Canary Islands that appear to float above the sea. If you want a different adventure, there is a road to summit the mountain, and it is quite famous for its beauty and often-precarious conditions.
What else is good to know about Roque de los Muchachos in the Canary Islands?
Not only is Roque de los Muchachos perfect for a day of hiking across the rocky landscape and photographing the breathtaking views, but it’s also the ideal location for massive telescopes. At the top of the mountain sits one of the largest groups of telescopes that have helped advance science and our understanding of the universe.
Because the mountain is a former volcano, the hiking neighborhoods have very little shade. Additionally, the skies are exceptionally cloudless across the entire La Palma Island, so suncream is highly encouraged because of the extensive sun exposure. Public transportation to the National Park is available.
Roque de los Muchachos in the Canary Islands
Location: 38788, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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