Circular hike from La Zarza through Caldera de Agua to Garafía

An insight into the hike:

This substantial circuit starts at the Parque Cultural La Zarza visitor centre and enters La Palma’s humid north. Beyond the tunnel beneath the LP-1, PR LP 9.2 descends into Barranco de la Zarza. Caves, angular basalt walls and ancient laurel forest create an almost enchanted atmosphere from the first kilometres. Earthen steps, walkways and tight bends lead through a series of rock basins.

Caboco La Catedral and Caldera de Agua are especially striking. A protected rock gallery curves around the basin before the path drops to the meeting of Barranco La Zarza and Barranco La Magdalena. Springs, ferns and mossy walls reflect the permanently damper climate of the northern slopes. The route then climbs past Fuente Vica and a small picnic place towards Don Pedro.

From Don Pedro, the walk follows GR-130 through Barranco La Magdalena. Moist laurel-forest passages, steps and a prominent volcanic dyke alternate with open heath. Via Valle Rey, Salto, Juan Adalid and Domingo Díaz, the landscape becomes progressively drier and supports spurges, cacti, palms and dragon trees. The change of vegetation within a single walk is exceptional.

Beyond El Mudo and El Palmar, the Camino Real winds through deep Barranco de la Luz. It then reaches Santo Domingo de Garafía, its church and Plaza Baltasar Martín. The return uses PR LP 9 past Mirador del Chorro, Fuente de la Huerta and Ermita de San Antonio del Monte to the start. The circuit totals 18.7 kilometres with 1,047 metres both up and down.

Allow almost eight hours of walking plus breaks. Wet steps, roots and rock galleries can be very slippery in the laurel forest, while later coastal sections may be warm and dry. An early start, shoes with reliable grip, ample water and energy for the final climb are essential. Ravine access deserves particular scrutiny after heavy rain. Sunhikes documents the current trail condition, exact track and possible closures.