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Easy hikes on La Palma – Nature, views & beach experiences
24.08.2025
Easy hikes on La Palma – Nature, views & beach experiences
La Palma is a hiker’s paradise — and not only for seasoned mountaineers. Beginners, families, and leisure seekers also find easy routes that combine nature, calm, and standout views. Whether laurel forest, Caldera panoramas, or black-sand beaches — these four hikes reveal the island’s relaxed side.
Easy hikes on La Palma – 4 relaxed routes for beginners & families
Anyone on a holiday on La Palma who really wants to get to know the island should lace up their hiking boots. The “Isla Bonita” is considered a paradise for hiking enthusiasts – with spectacular volcanic routes, deep ravines and evergreen forests. But not every tour has to be a sporting adventure: there are plenty of easy hikes on La Palma that are perfect for beginners, families or leisure hikers.
In this article we present four selected trails that show the island’s special character in a simple and impressive way. Whether it’s a walk through the mysterious laurel forest, a short hike to a viewpoint over the Caldera, or a descent to a natural beach – each of these hikes offers a new perspective of La Palma.
It becomes clear: hiking on La Palma is diverse, easily accessible and, even without much effort, a real experience. These routes are ideal for enjoying nature, tranquillity and scenic highlights in a relaxed way – and a perfect introduction to an eventful hiking holiday on La Palma.
Cubo de la Galga – the perfect beginner’s tour in the laurel forest
This hike on the eastern side is a real highlight – especially on warm days. In the cool shade of the evergreen laurel forest, holidaymakers, families and hikers will find ideal conditions.
The starting point is the information centre near Puntallana. After just a few minutes you enter a fairytale world of ferns, mosses and dense vegetation. There are different options: the shorter out-and-back route (approx. 5 km, ~2 hrs, ~200 m elevation) up to the “Jardín de Helechos”, or the circular route via the Mirador de Somada Alta (total ~9 km, ~460 m elevation, ~3 hrs). The official PR-LP 5.1 is longer (~12 km, ~750 m elevation, ~4 hrs), but remains easy to walk. Technically simple, but sure-footedness is important on damp ground.
– Starting point (Google Maps): Information centre at the car park
This hike on the eastern side is a real highlight – especially on warm days. In the cool shade of the evergreen laurel forest, holidaymakers, families and hikers will find ideal conditions.
The starting point is the information centre near Puntallana. After just a few minutes you enter a fairytale world of ferns, mosses and dense vegetation. There are different options: the shorter out-and-back route (approx. 5 km, ~2 hrs, ~200 m elevation) up to the “Jardín de Helechos”, or the circular route via the Mirador de Somada Alta (total ~9 km, ~460 m elevation, ~3 hrs). The official PR-LP 5.1 is longer (~12 km, ~750 m elevation, ~4 hrs), but remains easy to walk. Technically simple, but sure-footedness is important on damp ground.
– Starting point (Google Maps): Information centre at the car park
Cumbrecita & Mirador de Las Chozas – easy hike with views into the Caldera
The viewpoint of La Cumbrecita offers spectacular views into the Caldera de Taburiente – ideal if you want to experience the Caldera without a lot of elevation gain. Because spaces are limited, an online reservation for the car park is required.
The almost level path runs on soft pine needle ground and offers repeated views. After about 3 km you reach the Mirador de Las Chozas. The out-and-back hike takes 60–90 mins depending on pace with only ~150 m elevation – also suitable for families. Alternative for the sporty: take a taxi up from El Paso (e.g. Ermita de la Virgen del Pino) and then walk back down through forest paths (steeper in places, less suitable for families).
– Car park reservation: reservasparquesnacionales.es – Car park (Google Maps): La Cumbrecita car park
The viewpoint of La Cumbrecita offers spectacular views into the Caldera de Taburiente – ideal if you want to experience the Caldera without a lot of elevation gain. Because spaces are limited, an online reservation for the car park is required.
The almost level path runs on soft pine needle ground and offers repeated views. After about 3 km you reach the Mirador de Las Chozas. The out-and-back hike takes 60–90 mins depending on pace with only ~150 m elevation – also suitable for families. Alternative for the sporty: take a taxi up from El Paso (e.g. Ermita de la Virgen del Pino) and then walk back down through forest paths (steeper in places, less suitable for families).
– Car park reservation: reservasparquesnacionales.es – Car park (Google Maps): La Cumbrecita car park
Monte El Canal & Los Tilos – to the Mirador Espigón Atravesado
One of the most beautiful easy hikes in the northeast leads through the famous Los Tilos rainforest to the viewpoint Espigón Atravesado. The starting point is either along the road or directly at the visitor centre. At first you ascend gently and pass through a small tunnel – beyond it begins the dense laurel forest, usually pleasantly shady.
After around 2.5 km you reach the viewpoint (approx. 600 m above sea level) with views into the Barranco del Agua. Allow about 2 hrs and ~200 m elevation gain for the round trip. Optionally, a detour to the waterfall near the visitor centre is worthwhile – a popular photo spot and a refreshing break in summer.
– Starting point (Google Maps): Car parks along the road (Los Tilos)
One of the most beautiful easy hikes in the northeast leads through the famous Los Tilos rainforest to the viewpoint Espigón Atravesado. The starting point is either along the road or directly at the visitor centre. At first you ascend gently and pass through a small tunnel – beyond it begins the dense laurel forest, usually pleasantly shady.
After around 2.5 km you reach the viewpoint (approx. 600 m above sea level) with views into the Barranco del Agua. Allow about 2 hrs and ~200 m elevation gain for the round trip. Optionally, a detour to the waterfall near the visitor centre is worthwhile – a popular photo spot and a refreshing break in summer.
– Starting point (Google Maps): Car parks along the road (Los Tilos)
Playa de La Veta – short hike to the hidden bay
Not a classic mountain path, but a wonderful combination of movement and sea: From Aguatavar (Tijarafe) the drive leads along a narrow, winding road to a few parking spots. The short descent begins with a lit tunnel, then continues via steps and a steeper path towards the coast.
Those who start early enjoy the descent in the shade. After 20–30 mins you reach the small hamlet and the natural black sand beach. The ascent back is more strenuous (~190 m elevation). In total about 2 km, ~1 hr for the round trip. There are no restaurants or lifeguards – please bring water, snacks, sun protection and swimwear, and be mindful of waves and currents.
– Starting point (Google Maps): Playa de La Veta car park
Not a classic mountain path, but a wonderful combination of movement and sea: From Aguatavar (Tijarafe) the drive leads along a narrow, winding road to a few parking spots. The short descent begins with a lit tunnel, then continues via steps and a steeper path towards the coast.
Those who start early enjoy the descent in the shade. After 20–30 mins you reach the small hamlet and the natural black sand beach. The ascent back is more strenuous (~190 m elevation). In total about 2 km, ~1 hr for the round trip. There are no restaurants or lifeguards – please bring water, snacks, sun protection and swimwear, and be mindful of waves and currents.
– Starting point (Google Maps): Playa de La Veta car park
Our tip for more hikes
Anyone who wants to experience the full variety of hikes on La Palma should check out the well-known Rother Hiking Guide La Palma. It offers a wide selection of routes in all levels of difficulty – from easy walks to challenging volcanic hikes. Especially practical: Rother also provides an app, so you can take all the hikes with you digitally on your smartphone – ideal for orientation along the way.
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Easy hikes on La Palma show the island from its relaxed side – enjoy nature, experience special views and enrich your holiday without much effort.
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