The best road cycling routes around Isla De Hierro

For centuries, people didn't come here for the landscape. They came for the water. Legend has it that the mineral waters that spring up in this corner of western El Hierro had healing properties and that many people traveled long distances to drink them or bathe in them. Thus, the name Pozo de la Salud was born. Today the place still has something special. Between the cliffs, the ocean, and the isolation of this part of the island, it's hard to imagine a more remote place to find a spring that would become one of the best-known spots on El Hierro. Some come looking for the spa, others for the sunset or the views over the Golfo. What many discover is a hard-to-explain feeling: that of being at the edge of an island that seems to end right here, between rock, sea, and silence.

La Dehesa is not simply a field with cows. It is one of the most important historical territories of El Hierro and for centuries has been used communally by the island's inhabitants. While much of Europe divided land among owners, here a huge shared space for grazing was maintained. Generations of shepherds from El Hierro with sheep, goats, cows, and horses have passed through these plains. The wind, the fog, and the isolation have shaped both the landscape and the way of life of those who worked here. Very close by is also the Sanctuary of the Virgen de los Reyes, the patron saint of El Hierro. Every four years, the famous Bajada de la Virgen is celebrated, one of the most important traditions in the Canary Islands. The image travels around the island accompanied by thousands of people, following paths that precisely cross part of La Dehesa. The curious thing is the contrast: on one side appear the junipers twisted by the wind and the pastures; on the other, the lava fields that fall towards the Atlantic. Few places show the two souls of El Hierro so well: the volcanic and the pastoral.

The landscape that extends towards Punta de la Sal is formed by ancient lava flows that descended from the eruptive centers in the west of El Hierro. Although many of these eruptions are prehistoric and do not have an exact known date, they were what built much of this coast. What today appears as an immense expanse of black rock was once lava slowly advancing towards the Atlantic. Erosion has done the rest, creating one of the most spectacular and best-preserved volcanic landscapes in the Canary Islands.

with a small beach side

A very nice seawater pool that is easily accessible

Very nice view into a very Canary Islands-typical volcanic crater

At 1,230 m above sea level, it offers one of the most spectacular views of El Hierro: El Golfo Bay, the north coast, and a tapestry of vineyards, pineapple and banana trees. It has parking, a rest area, and picnic tables, perfect for enjoying the natural beauty. Next to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Charity, it is also the starting point of the historic Jinama Trail and routes such as the Volcano Trail, which invite you to explore volcanic landscapes and unique corners of the island.

Good starting point for a road bike tour. Public toilets and a small beach bar