EL HIERRO
Canary Islands
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EL HIERRO
Biosphere Reserve
Since 2000, the entire island of El Hierro has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. This distinction protects its natural and cultural balance, limiting real estate speculation and stopping unsustainable constructions.
At El Sitio we deeply value and support the commitment of the island government, which is working hard to avoid the mistakes made on other islands in relation to mass tourism.
El Hierro is an example of conscious tourism, where nature, culture and sustainability coexist in harmony. Here it is possible to enjoy an authentic, respectful trip in contact with the essentials.
El Hierro, the smallest island of the Canary Islands, with an altitude of 1504 m, 278 square kilometres and 7,000 inhabitants, is on its way to becoming the first island in the world to use 100% natural energy from renewable and sustainable resources.
El Hierro is a hidden treasure in the Atlantic, an island without large sandy beaches, but with magical lava bays, pine and laurel forests, thousand-year-old junipers sculpted by the wind and a volcanic landscape full of contrasts and biodiversity..
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Its people are close, friendly and helpful - as if they know the secret of this island they used to call the end of the world. Sometimes you need to lose yourself in order to find yourself again.….
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For years, El Hierro has become a special destination for musicians, artists, scientists and free spirits. People looking for inspiration in a simple and authentic environment, away from the noise, in connection with nature and their own creativity.
More than half of El Hierro is protected as a Natural Park. The island is surprising for its varied vegetation: pine forests, cloud forests, lava fields and fertile land. Its volcanic origin and its youth (2-3 million years old) give it a unique landscape.
The highest point is Malpaso (1,504 m), which descends steeply to the El Golfo valley. Although there are no active volcanoes, the terrain is still impressive.
There are not many sandy beaches, but there are many natural areas and swimming pools. Thanks to the trade winds, the climate is mild all year round, between 17°C in winter and 24°C in summer. Ideal to visit in any season.
The island offers a wide range of possibilities for the traveller. Those who wish to explore the island on foot will enjoy a varied landscape full of intense smells of plants and stones warmed by the sun. Above El Sitio, there is an ancient path that winds its way up to Jinama (1,200 m). The ascent takes about 3 hours and it is advisable to wear suitable shoes. Many other routes pass through forests, plateaus, lava paths and cultivated land.
The sporting opportunities on El Hierro are simple but very demanding. Impressive hiking trails, cave routes, swimming, fishing, also mountain biking or paragliding.
But first of all let yourself be surprised by the nature, tranquillity and strength of this island.
Diving in El Hierro
If you want to dive (or learn to dive) you will find experts in La Restinga who will advise you. The diversity of the marine fauna on El Hierro is very large thanks to the fact that the marine area is protected. Divers, who have explored other oceans, are fascinated by the fact that the underwater world of El Hierro is still intact.
For swimming there are both open sea sites at Punta Grande, as well as bays – El Charco Azul, Charco Los Sargos, La Maceta, Pozo de las Calcosas…
If you want to see a lot of the island you will need to hire a car, unless you want to tour around El Hierro on a mountain bike (rentals are available in El Golfo). In addition to public transport, there is a taxi cooperative in La Frontera, where you can hire a taxi for any excursion.
Amongst the things worth visiting, we especially recommend:
• La Ermita de la Virgen de los Reyes, a place of pilgrimage, located in the solitary landscape of La Dehesa.
• The lovingly reconstructed Pueblo-Museo de Guinea, located on the straight road leading to Las Puntas in El Golfo, shows what life was like for the Herreños 100 years ago.
• Nearby there is a scientifically guided station for the breeding of giant lizards (they can reach up to 80 cm in length), native animals that only inhabit the island of El Hierro and are in danger of extinction. Since 1996, at El Lagartario the systematic repopulation of Giant Lizards has been carried out.
• Punta Grande, is a small projection of land situated at the eastern end of the beach of Las Puntas – where, in the past, when the sea was calm, the mail boat docked – you can enjoy every evening the most beautiful sunsets of the island.