Information
Landmark: Los Tilos ForestCity: La Palma
Country: Canary Islands
Continent: Europe
Los Tilos Forest, La Palma, Canary Islands, Europe
Overview
Los Tilos Forest, or Bosque de Los Tilos, is a lush laurel woodland tucked into the north of La Palma in Spain’s Canary Islands, where the air smells faintly of damp leaves, and this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one of the island’s most treasured natural areas, celebrated for its teeming wildlife, rare ecosystems, and sweeping views of cliffs and sea.This lush subtropical forest shelters rare plants and animals, from delicate ferns to shy songbirds, and ranks among the world’s best-preserved laurel forests, subsequently tucked into the municipality of San Andrés y Sauces, Los Tilos sits in the lush northern hills of La Palma.The forest stretches across about 1,000 hectares, lying in the Laurel and Canarian pine zone where the air thins between 600 and 1,100 meters above the sea, also this stretch of the Garafía mountains is cut by deep ravines and sheer cliffs, with slopes so green they smell of pine, making the forest a remarkable region to explore, loosely At the Los Tilos Visitor Center, you can pick up trail maps, learn about rare laurel trees, and get tips on how the forest is being protected before setting off on your hike, as a result the center also features displays that teach visitors about the forest’s plants and animals, from glowing wildflowers to the rustle of deer in the underbrush, sort of The Los Tilos Forest is a rare Macaronesian laurel forest, a subtropical haven where thick green canopies trap the mist and every leaf drips with moisture, after that once, these forests stretched across the Mediterranean and Macaronesia-the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira-but now they survive only in pockets where the climate still suits them, like the misty slopes of La Palma.The forest shelters a remarkable range of plants found nowhere else, including species unique to the Canary Islands and a few that cling to life only in this patch of green, on top of that you’ll find trees like the Canary Island laurel (Laurus azorica), the towering Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), and the rare Lomaria canariensis fern here, relatively Laurel trunks can stretch 20 meters high, their thick leaves knitting together overhead to cast a dim, greenish light and trap the damp air-perfect for mosses, ferns, and lichens, while in this shelter, a rich mix of ferns, mosses, lichens, and epiphytes thrives, while birds dart between branches, insects hum in the undergrowth, and modest mammals slip through the shadows.In this lush forest, you might spot the deep-gray Laurel pigeon (Columba junoniae) or the shining Canary Islands chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki), along with fluttering clouds of butterflies, some so rare they exist nowhere else, furthermore the hefty Canary Island giant lizard (Gallotia goliath) basks on warm rocks beside other reptiles.Rain falls often here, and the cloud forest drinks in extra moisture spun from the trade winds, in addition the moisture feeds thick, green vegetation, wrapping the forest in a soft mist that feels almost enchanted, especially at dawn or just after rain.In Los Tilos Forest, winding trails invite hikers to step right into that beauty, to boot one of the most traveled paths is the Ruta de Los Tilos, the main trail that winds beneath towering green canopies through the heart of the forest.Oddly enough, The trail is a moderate 3.5-kilometer round trip, winding straight through the forest’s heart where the air smells of pine, in conjunction with the trail winds past clear streams, tumbles beside rushing waterfalls, and slips under the shade of towering laurel trees.Wooden walkways and narrow bridges guide you over steep, sometimes slick slopes, boards damp with mist, on top of that follow the Waterfall Trail (Sendero de las Cascadas) and it’ll lead you to Cascada de Los Tilos, a breathtaking cascade hidden deep in the forest, more or less The path is short, yet it opens to sweeping views of the lush green hills, with the soft rush of a waterfall in the distance, in turn cruz de Tiedra is a tougher hike linking Los Tilos to its namesake peak, where you can take in wide, breathtaking views of La Palma’s northern coast, perhaps This trail suits seasoned hikers, offering a rougher, more untamed glimpse of the forest with roots snaking across the path, besides you’ll also find several circular routes, some linking Los Tilos to nearby spots like the Laurel Forest of the North.These trails wind past deep ravines and sheer cliffs, yet still lead you into the forest’s thick, green canopy, furthermore los Tilos Forest, part of the La Palma Biosphere Reserve, is protected for its remarkable ecological value.Because the forest is a protected area, conservation teams can concentrate on preserving its rare mix of plants and wildlife-like the flash of a scarlet tanager darting through the canopy, after that key conservation goals focus on protecting the forest’s many rare, endemic species-from tiny, radiant-green tree frogs to ancient hardwoods-by guarding against habitat loss and invasive plants, and on managing tourism so visitors can enjoy its beauty without disturbing the fragile balance of the ecosystem.The trails are carefully kept to protect the land, and guides run programs that help visitors understand why the forest matters-like pointing out the sweet smell of laurel leaves after rain, subsequently los Tilos Forest and its visitor center are usually open all year, but it’s wise to check for winter or maintenance closures.If I’m being honest, You can drive there and park right at the visitor center, equally important from that point, the trails wind into the forest’s heart, where damp leaves scent the air.Guided tours are also offered for anyone eager to dive deeper into its ecology and history, along with local guides often lead these tours, sharing vivid stories and sharp observations about the forest’s biodiversity and ongoing conservation work.In the shade of towering laurel trees, you’ll find Los Tilos Forest-one of the Canary Islands’ most distinctive and life-rich landscapes, not only that thick laurel trees, lush greenery, and a remarkable variety of local wildlife make this a spot nature lovers and hikers can’t miss, with the air carrying the faint scent of damp leaves after rain.You might wander its winding trails, spot sparkling green ferns tucked in the shade, or just breathe in the stillness of the forest-whatever draws you here, Los Tilos leaves a lasting impression.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-09-08
