Information
Landmark: El SabinarCity: El Hierro
Country: Canary Islands
Continent: Europe
El Sabinar, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Europe
Overview
On El Hierro, the smallest of the Canary Islands, you’ll find El Sabinar-a wild stretch of land where twisted juniper trees lean under the constant push of the wind.The place is best known for its ancient juniper trees (Juniperus turbinata), their twisted trunks bent by relentless island winds and the stark volcanic ground, forming a forest that feels almost otherworldly.Here’s a closer look at El Sabinar: it sits in the southern reaches of El Hierro, just outside the small fishing village of La Restinga, where salty air drifts in from the sea.A winding road leads you through stark volcanic ridges and past sweeping views of the glittering coast before reaching the forest, perched about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level.Here in El Sabinar, twisted juniper trees cling to jagged rocks, scattered across craggy hills and weathered slopes.Cacti, bursts of wildflowers, and other tough plants cling to the island’s dry soil, while at El Sabinar, twisted juniper trees bend like sculptures carved by the wind.Constant, harsh winds twist the trees into odd shapes, especially when they roar down from the north and northeast.The result is a strange, almost dreamlike forest where juniper trunks and branches twist and tilt every which way, some bent so far they almost graze the ground.In El Sabinar, a few of these ancient trees have stood for centuries, their gnarled shapes marking them as a treasured part of the landscape.These trees have come to stand for resilience, bending under salt-laced winds and clinging to life in the island’s dry soil.The junipers belong to the laurel forest-a subtropical woodland that once blanketed much of the Canary Islands.Though much of the forest has vanished under the pressure of human activity and a shifting climate, El Sabinar still stands as a rare treasure of its kind; besides its twisted, wind-worn juniper trees, the land bursts with hardy shrubs, creeping plants, and spiny cacti rooted deep in the sun-baked soil.The vegetation here has learned to survive the island’s dry winds and gritty volcanic soil, with many plants found nowhere else but the Canary Islands.Though you won’t spot many large animals, El Sabinar hums with life-raptors circling overhead, songbirds flitting between twisted junipers, and quick lizards darting over warm stones.Birdwatchers flock to the region during migration season, when skies fill with wings and calls.El Sabinar draws nature lovers, hikers, and photographers alike, making it one of El Hierro’s most visited spots.A marked lookout offers sweeping views of El Hierro’s unusual terrain, perfect for snapping photos of the twisted juniper trees.Several hiking trails wind through the area, inviting you to explore its varied landscapes.These trails wind through other volcanic landscapes, where hikers might pause to watch sheer cliffs drop into shadowed valleys and the foaming edge of the sea.The hike to El Sabinar is moderately challenging, with clear trail markers guiding you through.Spring or autumn is ideal-cool air, gentle sun, and hills brushed with bright greens.Winters tend to be cooler, while summers can turn hot, especially down in the island’s lowlands where the air feels heavy.El Sabinar, part of El Hierro’s protected natural parks, holds special ecological value.UNESCO named El Hierro a Biosphere Reserve, and spots like El Sabinar-with its wind-twisted juniper trees-help protect the island’s one-of-a-kind ecosystems.They work to safeguard the land and its plants, making sure the ancient juniper trees-some with bark rough as old rope-and countless other species keep thriving.The area holds deep historical and cultural value, with the twisted juniper trees of El Sabinar long woven into the island’s identity.Locals weave the trees into old stories and seasonal rituals, and the forest’s strange, silver-lit beauty draws both neighbors and travelers who see it as a treasured landmark.El Sabinar stands out as one of El Hierro’s most iconic spots, where centuries-old junipers twist like weather-worn sculptures in the wind.Bent by centuries of fierce wind, the ancient junipers twist into shapes that seem almost alive, forming a strange and beautiful landscape that pulls travelers from every corner of the globe.Whether you love chasing sunlight through a camera lens, hiking rugged trails, or simply breathing in pine-scented air, El Sabinar leaves a memory you won’t forget.Its rare wildlife, dramatic cliffs, and deep ties to the island’s heritage make it a place you can’t skip when you visit El Hierro.
