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Pico de la Nieve Sunset Panorama. Distant Teide Volcano on Tenerife Island rising above cloud covered Atlantic Ocean |
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| Trip Summary | |||
February 25, 2025
Of several highpoints along Volcano Rim of Caldera de Taburiente National Park on La Palma Canary Island, Pico de la Nieve ("Snowy Peak") is the highest. In the past getting here was fairly involved, but nowdays you simply drive up LP-4 road to signed trailhead, then continue on foot just under 4km (1-way), ~350m vertical. Road designations on Canary Islands are great: first 2 letters prefix is Island designation (i.e LP = La Palma, TF = Tenerife, GM = La Gomera, etc), followed by road number. First 2km are old forest road - determined driver could pass with car, but I didn't want to risk damaging rental so I just walked up. Then it's just under 2km to the summit on official, somewhat rocky trail passing 2 signed junctions on the way. Hiking Trails are really well developed and signed on Canary Islands, better than in Canada National Parks. Final easy rise to ~2240m summit, just in time for Sunset which I enjoyed in total solitude. Sea of clouds beneath me covering Atlantic was magical, just as crimson sky where sun has set behind distant Roque de los Muchachos observatory.
This short hike was on last day of stellar Spain '25 trip, and fabulous sunset I enjoyed from Pico summit -- see Gallery -- was fitting finale. Hiking on Canary Islands is much, much better than expected - networks of well defined and signed trails, with superb scenic rewards and year round springtime weather conditions. I am bound to return here soon and spend couple of months exploring this paradise in more detail. |
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Gallery |
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 Forest Road
Easy initial walk for ~2km on Forest Road that could be navigated by determined drivers |
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 Trailhead Sign
Trailhead Post with directions at end of the Road. Takes ~30min from here to the summit |
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 Atlantic Clouds
Sea of clouds over Atlantic Ocean as somewhat rocky, but wide trail rises above Treeline. Teide on Horizon |
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Signed junction as trail reaches Crater Rim of Caldera de Taburiente National Park |
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 Crater Rim sign
Closer look at Table directions. Pico summit is ~5min away |
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 Pico Sunset Panorama
Magical Pico de la Nieve sunset Panorama. Sunrise is probably just as spectacular. It would be great to spend night here (not sure if allowed) photographing night sky which is by the way among best in the world, and reason why very famous Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory is nearby |
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 Canary Sunset
Another 105mm Sunset Shot. I was very, very lucky to enjoy such special moment in total solitude |
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 Hasta Luego
Starting descent by Pico cross with crimson sunset sky over sea covered Atlantic Ocean. Last photo I took on stellar Spain '25 trip |
Abstract
| Overall Difficulty | D2 | Rocky sections of trail. Final bit before the summit is eroded | |||
| Snow Factor | S1 | Snow normally not a factor on Canary Islands, regardless of altitude | |||
| Scenery | Fabulous aerial panorama of Caldera de Taburiente National Park and sea of clouds over Atlantic Ocean | ||||
| Trail/Marking | Excellent | Wide and well-defined Trail with signed junctions | |||
| Suggested Time | 2-3 hr | From km 25 of LP-4. Less if driving to official trailhead | |||
| Elevation | Start: 1940 m (LP-24) Max: 2260m Total: ~350m | Round Trip: ~7.5 km | |||
| Gear | Light hikers. Hiking poles helpful | ||||
| Water | No water source. Carry ~1L | ||||
| Dog Friendly | Yes | Popular trail in season - keep control for courtesy to other hikers | |||
Pico de la Nieve GAIA Map
Pico de la Nieve Elevation Profile