Information
City: El HierroCountry: Canary Islands
Continent: Europe
El Hierro, Canary Islands, Europe
Overview
El Hierro, the tiniest of the Canary Islands, draws visitors with rugged cliffs, a deep-green coastline, and its fierce commitment to protecting the land.Tucked away southwest of the Canary Islands, this volcanic island is known for its quiet shores and a sense of remoteness that’s hard to find anywhere else in the region.El Hierro, with its deep commitment to sustainability and protecting its wild landscapes, offers travelers a chance to slow down and discover a quieter, more authentic corner of the Canary Islands-where the wind still smells of salt and pine.Here’s a closer look at El Hierro beyond its famous landmarks: a volcanic island where black cliffs drop into deep blue water, its rugged shape carved long ago by molten rock.Rugged cliffs rise sharply above the sea, valleys plunge steep and narrow, and the island shifts through a surprising mix of microclimates.Pico de Malpaso towers as the island’s highest peak, climbing 1,501 meters-4,924 feet-above the glittering line where sea meets sky.Deep ravines cut through thick, green forests in the island’s north and center, but along the southern coast the land turns dry and sun-baked.El Hierro has a mild subtropical climate, with winter days averaging around 18°C (64°F) and summer afternoons warming to about 24°C (75°F).Rain falls more often on the island’s northern side, leaving the air damp and heavy, while the south basks in brighter skies and dry warmth.Because the island is small but rises and falls in elevation, its weather can shift quickly with altitude, from misty hilltops to sun‑warmed beaches, fostering a remarkable mix of plants and animals.El Hierro’s economy leans on farming and fishing, with more visitors arriving each year for its growing eco‑tourism-drawn by quiet orchards and clear blue coves.Farming has deep roots on the island, where fields yield potatoes, tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables.The island is best known for its goat cheese, crafted from the rich, tangy milk of goats that roam its rocky hills.El Hierro’s farms thrive in volcanic soil, dark and crumbly, packed with nutrients that make it perfect for everything from tomatoes to bananas.Tuna fishing once powered much of the island’s economy, with boats returning at dawn heavy with their catch, but in recent years it’s faded in importance as overfishing worries and a move toward sustainable methods have reshaped the trade.The island’s gaining a reputation for eco-tourism, attracting visitors with quiet beaches, lush green hills, and a clear commitment to living sustainably.The island stands out for its push into renewable energy, from sun-catching solar panels to the steady hum of wind turbines.El Hierro now leads the way in renewable energy, aiming to power itself entirely with wind, solar, and hydropower-its turbines already hum in the steady Atlantic breeze.Back in 2014, it became the world’s first island to run entirely on renewable energy, a milestone that turned it into a model for sustainable living.El Hierro’s culture carries the quiet imprint of its isolation, shaped by traditions that have endured for generations.With fewer than 11,000 people, the island has held on to pieces of Canarian life-like quiet village squares and evening folk songs-that have vanished from its busier, tourist-heavy neighbors.On El Hierro, people feel a strong bond with both land and sea, and many still tend gardens, haul in nets glistening with salt, and keep alive the island’s old ways.The island’s culture grows from its indigenous Guanche roots, shaped as well by the rich flavors and traditions brought from Spain.El Hierro’s cultural heart beats in its folklore and traditional music, from the bright, rapid strum of the timple-a small Canary Islands stringed instrument-to the lively folk dances that fill its festival streets.All year long, El Hierro bursts to life with religious and cultural festivals, from solemn church processions to lively street parades filled with music and the scent of roasted almonds.One highlight is the annual fiesta for the island’s patron saint, the Virgen de los Reyes, with winding processions, lively music, swirling dancers, and time-honored celebrations.Carnival bursts to life with dazzling parades, glittering costumes, and music that spills into the streets, ushering in the start of Lent.You can reach El Hierro by ferry or catch a quick flight in.El Hierro Airport, the island’s small terminal with views of the Atlantic, runs flights to Tenerife and other Canary Islands, so getting here from the rest of the archipelago is fairly straightforward.A ferry links the island to nearby Tenerife and La Gomera, with boats departing every day under the bright white flags of several different operators.El Hierro’s roads are well built, but there aren’t many of them-narrow lanes twist through steep cliffs and rocky hills, shaped by the island’s small size and rough landscape.The roads twist and narrow as they climb through the mountains, but around each bend, you catch breathtaking views of cliffs and sky.Most visitors get around by renting a car, since buses are scarce and the few routes skip large parts of the island.Cycling’s a favorite here, thanks to the island’s compact size and the mix of gentle hills and winding coastal roads.El Hierro is a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors, with trails that wind through volcanic hills, crystal-clear waters perfect for diving, and quiet spots where you can watch rare birds in the trees.The island’s rugged terrain-cut by deep ravines, edged with dark volcanic cliffs, and shaded by dense green forests-makes it perfect for hiking.The trails twist through shifting scenery, starting in the lush, shaded laurel forests of the north and ending in the sun-baked, dusty plains of the south.The island’s natural parks brim with wildlife and rare plants, from bright wildflowers swaying in the wind to the elusive El Hierro giant lizard found nowhere else on Earth.Diving tops the list of things to do here, and in the island’s crystal‑clear water you can spot bright shoals of fish drifting over volcanic rock-some of the best underwater sights in the Canary Islands.El Hierro’s marine reserve, La Restinga, teems with life-rays glide through the clear water, turtles drift past, and schools of bright fish flash like quicksilver in the sun.Divers from around the world flock to the island for its rugged underwater volcanoes and the deep, glassy blue of its waters.El Hierro’s a great place to spot whales and dolphins, with sleek fins breaking the surface just offshore.Whales and dolphins live year-round in the waters around the island, from sleek bottlenose dolphins slicing through the surf to massive sperm whales and sturdy pilot whales.Regular tours run throughout the season, giving visitors a rare chance to watch these majestic creatures glide through their wild, open waters.On El Hierro, sustainability isn’t just talk-it’s a way of life, from protecting its rugged cliffs to running on clean, renewable energy.In 2014, the island made history as the first in the world to power itself entirely with renewable energy-wind whistling through turbines, sunlight pouring over panels, and water rushing through hydroelectric dams.The El Hierro Wind-Hydro project blends spinning wind turbines with hydroelectric storage, turning the island into a showcase for renewable energy, and it’s still finding new ways to live even greener.Large stretches of El Hierro’s wild terrain are under protection, from the dark volcanic slopes of Parque Natural de las Arenas Negras to the rugged cliffs of the Reserva Natural Integral de Los Roques de Salmor.The island’s dedication to conservation reaches its plants and wildlife, with projects safeguarding rare species like the El Hierro giant lizard, whose dark scales glint in the sun.
Landmarks in el-hierro
