Information
Landmark: Pico BejenadoCity: La Palma
Country: Canary Islands
Continent: Europe
Pico Bejenado, La Palma, Canary Islands, Europe
Overview
Pico Bejenado rises in the south of La Palma in Spain’s Canary Islands, its rugged slopes catching the late-afternoon sun.Rising 1,851 meters-about 6,076 feet-above the sea, it ranks among the island’s tallest peaks, its summit often dusted with thin, white clouds.Pico Bejenado draws visitors with its sweeping views, from the rugged volcanic slopes of La Palma to the vast green bowl of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park.Pico Bejenado rises 1,851 meters (6,076 feet) above sea level in the southern part of La Palma, within El Paso, just south of the Caldera de Taburiente and close to the Cumbre Vieja ridge.It’s less accessible than peaks like Roque de los Muchachos, but hikers willing to tackle its trails are rewarded with sweeping views of jagged cliffs and the island’s wild, untamed landscape.From the summit, you can see the vast sweep of Caldera de Taburiente National Park, its volcanic walls folding into deep shadow, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the island’s most awe‑inspiring craters.The park boasts steep cliffs, thick forests, and winding trails.From Pico Bejenado, you can take in the sweeping ridge of Cumbre Vieja, its dark volcanic peaks rising above deep valleys.On a clear day, the Atlantic glimmers to the west, with El Hierro and La Gomera visible on the horizon.Most hikers reach the summit by following the GR‑131 Trail, a long-distance route that crosses La Palma from north to south.The trail winds through thick forest, past jagged volcanic slopes, and climbs all the way to Pico Bejenado’s summit.It’s a tough hike, with steep ascents and rough ground that test your stamina.Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of lush laurel groves, tall pines, and rare plants found nowhere else.From the village of El Paso, a circular route lets you loop around the mountain and watch the scenery shift with every turn.Take this route and you’ll see the island’s entire southern stretch, from black volcanic fields to green valleys where the air smells faintly of wild herbs.Hiking the trails around Pico Bejenado takes you through protected lands where rare plants cling to the rocky slopes and native birds call from the pines.The island’s rare ecosystems give nature lovers and birdwatchers countless chances to spot wildlife, from bright green lizards sunning on rocks to hawks circling overhead.Pico Bejenado, part of the island’s volcanic backbone, reveals the slow, powerful forces that forged La Palma’s rugged landscape.The Cumbre Vieja ridge, wrapping around the area, is among the island’s most active volcanic zones, its dark slopes marked by several past eruptions.La Palma’s volcanic past built the mountain, carving its slopes with black lava flows, jagged rock ledges, and ravines that plunge into shadow.Accessibility and Visitor Information – Getting There: You can’t really drive to Pico Bejenado, so lace up your boots and hike the trail if you want to stand on its rocky summit.El Paso makes a great base for hikes, with desert trails starting just minutes from town.Before you set out, check a local trail map or ask a hiking group for advice-knowing where that narrow footbridge lies can save you a long backtrack.The ideal time to hike Pico Bejenado is in spring or autumn, when the air feels warm but not heavy and the trails stay mostly dry under clear skies.At Pico Bejenado’s summit, winter temperatures can plunge, and the trails may crunch under snow or slick ice.Visitors should come ready for sudden changes, as it’s often cooler and wind-whipped up top compared to the base.Still, the climb rewards you with sweeping views, a demanding path, and the chance to walk across La Palma’s rugged volcanic slopes.From the summit, hikers take in sweeping views of La Palma’s jagged volcanic ridges, deep green forests, and the vast bowl of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park.Pico Bejenado, a striking piece of the island’s geological and ecological story, calls to anyone eager to hike its pine-lined trails and take in sweeping views of the rugged landscape.
