PR LP 8: Barlovento to Pico de la Cruz

An insight into the hike:

PR LP 8 links Barlovento with Pico de la Cruz with barely any respite from climbing. From town it rises through fields to Laguna de Barlovento before entering humid laurel forest. Higher up, Canary pine takes over and the air becomes progressively drier and clearer.

Views expand along the ridge between Barranco de Gallegos and Barranco del Agua. After joining PR LP 7 and crossing the high-level LP-4 road, the trail enters an open summit zone. At 2,351-metre Pico de la Cruz, the immense crater of Caldera de Taburiente lies directly below.

Its 11.9 kilometres, 1,801 metres of ascent and only 28 metres of descent define the route: hard and almost continuously uphill. Beyond excellent fitness, hikers must prepare for the shift from humid forest to wind and cold near the summit.

There is no reliable spontaneous return at the finish. A taxi or pick-up at LP-4 or the agreed high point must be arranged in advance. This is a powerful route for trained mountain hikers; Sunhikes provides the complete ascent and all summit-area connections.