By Rob · Gecko Tours La Palma – Hiking guide in La Palma with more than 20 years of experience.
The Caldera de Taburiente National Park, in the heart of La Palma, is home to some of the island’s most spectacular hiking landscapes: Canary pine forests, deep ravines, streams, rock formations and towering walls surrounding the interior of the Caldera.
But before visiting, there is one important thing to understand: there is no single Caldera de Taburiente route.
You can admire it from viewpoints such as La Cumbrecita, hike into the park from Barranco de las Angustias or follow the well-known route that starts at Los Brecitos and crosses the interior of the National Park.
In this guide, we explain the main options so you can choose the one that best suits your available time and hiking experience.
Caldera de Taburiente at a glance
Location: central La Palma
Protected area: National Park
Main access points: Los Brecitos and Barranco de las Angustias
Classic route: Los Brecitos – interior of the Caldera – Barranco de las Angustias
Approximate duration: around 6 hours of hiking, depending on the itinerary
Difficulty: moderate to difficult / demanding for the full route
Landscapes: Canary pine forest, ravines, rock formations, streams and towering cliffs
Highlights: Los Brecitos, Taburiente River, Roque Idafe, Cascada de Colores and Barranco de las Angustias
What exactly is the Caldera de Taburiente?
Although its appearance may resemble an enormous crater, the Caldera de Taburiente is a large depression formed mainly by erosion, shaped over hundreds of thousands of years by the island’s volcanic activity, major landslides and, above all, the continuous action of water.
The result is a vast mountain amphitheatre around eight kilometres in diameter, with elevation differences of almost 2,000 metres between the highest areas and the floor of the Caldera.
And its scale is much easier to understand from inside.
As you walk through the Caldera, the towering walls stop being the background of a photograph and become part of the route itself. Ravines, ancient volcanic dykes, rock formations, pine forests and streams reveal how erosion continues to shape this landscape.
How to get to the Caldera de Taburiente
There is no single entrance point. The best way to get there depends on what you want to do.
Access via Los Brecitos
This is the usual option for hikers who want to complete the route through the interior of the Caldera.
To get there, head towards Los Llanos de Aridane and Barranco de las Angustias. From this area, a track climbs up to the Los Brecitos viewpoint.
There is one important detail to bear in mind: parking is not permitted at Los Brecitos. For this reason, hikers completing the full route usually arrange a taxi from Barranco de las Angustias or use organised transport. The National Park specifically indicates that parking is concentrated in the lower area of the ravine.
This makes logistics an important part of the excursion.
Gecko tip: if you are planning to do the full route, organise your transport to Los Brecitos before the day of the hike. This will save you from having to look for transport at the last minute.
Access via Barranco de las Angustias
Barranco de las Angustias is not only the usual finishing point for the route starting at Los Brecitos.
You can also enter the Caldera on foot from here and return through the same area, adjusting the distance according to the time available and the fitness level of your group.
The experience, however, is different from completing the full traverse.
Which route should you do in the Caldera de Taburiente?
The Caldera has several official hiking routes. There is no single “Caldera route”.
Options include routes around Los Brecitos, the campsite area, Hoyo Verde, Barranco de las Angustias and the higher mountain areas.
For a first visit, these are the main options worth distinguishing.
Los Brecitos – Barranco de las Angustias route
This is probably the best option if you want to really enter the heart of the National Park.
The hike begins at Los Brecitos. From there, the trail passes through Canary pine forest and small ravines while gradually descending into the interior of the Caldera.
The landscape changes as you progress. Pine forest gives way to streams and then to terrain increasingly dominated by the geology of the ravine.
Official tourist information describes the route entering via Los Brecitos and exiting through Las Angustias as a long and demanding hike, for which around six hours should be allowed.
At Gecko Tours, we offer a version of approximately 16 kilometres and 6 hours, with around +100 metres of elevation gain and -700 metres of elevation loss. It is designed for people who are used to hiking and is considered a demanding activity.
Pico Bejenado
For hikers looking for more climbing, Pico Bejenado offers a completely different perspective.
Instead of walking through the interior of the Caldera, you climb a mountain overlooking its vast amphitheatre of peaks. From the summit, the true scale of the Caldera becomes especially clear.
It is an interesting alternative if you have already done the main traverse or are looking for a mountain route with more elevation gain.
Cascada de Colores
Cascada de Colores is one of the best-known sights in the Caldera de Taburiente.
It is located in Barranco de Rivanceras, close to the route leading out towards Las Angustias. Its yellow and orange colours are associated with iron-rich water, while mosses and algae add green tones. Its appearance varies depending on water flow and the time of year.
Do not expect a large mountain waterfall. Its appeal lies precisely in the colours of the rock face and the geological setting around it.
The short detour to reach it is usually included as part of the route through the interior of the Caldera.
Is the Caldera de Taburiente route difficult?
It depends entirely on the route you choose.
Visiting La Cumbrecita and doing a short walk around its viewpoints is very different from hiking for several hours from Los Brecitos to Barranco de las Angustias.
For the full traverse, you need to take into account:
- the distance;
- the number of hours spent walking;
- the total elevation change;
- long downhill sections;
- uneven terrain;
- heat at certain times of year;
- and weather conditions.
The National Park recommends always checking trail conditions before setting off, avoiding long routes in adverse weather and staying on marked trails.
You do not need to be a high-level athlete, but you should be used to walking for several hours.
What to bring when hiking in the Caldera
For a long route, pack your backpack as you would for a full day in the mountains.
Suitable footwear
This is not a hike for sandals or everyday city shoes.
Wear hiking shoes or boots with a sole that provides good grip.
Enough water
Although water is part of the Caldera’s landscape, you should not plan your hydration around drinking from the streams.
Bring enough water for the whole day.
Food
For a route lasting several hours, bring some food and snacks.
Sun protection
Vegetation provides shade in some areas, but others are completely exposed.
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are especially useful.
A warm layer
Weather conditions in La Palma can vary considerably with altitude and between different sections of the same route.
A lightweight extra layer that you can carry in your backpack is usually a good idea.
What is the best time of year to visit the Caldera de Taburiente?
The Caldera can be visited throughout the year, but the weather on the day matters more than the month on the calendar.
After heavy rain, conditions in the ravines and on the trails can change. Strong winds can also increase the risk of falling rocks and branches.
For this reason, we recommend always checking trail conditions and the weather forecast before setting off. The National Park authorities themselves advise avoiding certain routes during rain or strong winds.
Caldera de Taburiente independently or with a guide?
Many of La Palma’s hiking routes can be completed independently, as long as the trail is open and you have the necessary experience and preparation.
The same applies in the Caldera.
So, what does a guide add?
Mainly three things: logistics, interpretation and knowledge of the terrain.
On a long route such as Los Brecitos–Barranco de las Angustias, having someone who knows the itinerary allows you to focus on the landscape and better understand what you encounter along the way: geology, vegetation, water, history and the transformation of the landscape.
It also removes much of the concern involved in organising access and following the route correctly.
You do not need to book a guided excursion to visit the National Park. But for many people, it is a much more complete way to experience it.
Frequently asked questions about the Caldera de Taburiente
Can you drive to Los Brecitos?
You can drive up the track, but parking is not permitted at Los Brecitos. If you are doing the full traverse, the usual option is to take a taxi or organised transport from the Barranco de las Angustias area.
How long does it take to hike through the Caldera de Taburiente?
It depends on the itinerary. For the classic route through the interior, you should allow around six hours of walking. The shorter routes around La Cumbrecita take much less time.
Can you visit the Caldera without hiking?
Yes. La Cumbrecita offers excellent panoramic views of the National Park without requiring you to complete the long traverse.
Can I visit the Caldera with children?
It depends on their age, experience and physical ability. The full route is long and should not be chosen simply because children are used to walking short distances. For a family visit, the shorter routes around La Cumbrecita may be a more suitable alternative.
Do you have to pay to enter the Caldera de Taburiente?
General access to the National Park does not operate like a paid attraction. However, some access points are regulated and certain services — such as transport to Los Brecitos — have their own cost.
A different way to discover the heart of La Palma
From the outside, the Caldera de Taburiente is impressive because of its sheer scale.
From the inside, the experience changes completely.
The sound of the water, the pine forest, the ravines and the feeling of walking surrounded by the enormous walls of the National Park make this one of the routes that best showcases La Palma’s natural diversity.
At Gecko Tours, we hike through the Caldera from Los Brecitos to Barranco de las Angustias on an excursion lasting approximately six hours, designed for those who want to experience the National Park on foot and understand the landscape around them.
Would you like to explore the heart of the Caldera with a guide? Discover our guided Caldera de Taburiente excursion.