El Hierro, Volcanic island in Canary Islands, Spain
Description
El Hierro is a volcanic island in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province with steep slopes, lava caves, and a rugged coastline. The island covers roughly 278 square kilometers and rises from sea level to a summit 1,501 meters above the Atlantic.
History
The Bimbache inhabited the island until the Castilian conquest in the 15th century, developing terraced agriculture on the volcanic slopes. It later served as a departure point for Atlantic crossings and became the westernmost point of the known world on old maps.
Culture
The name means "iron," though no metal deposits exist here; instead, locals believe early sailors mistook the rust-colored rocks along the western shore for ore. Shepherds still move their flocks between the high pastures and coastal grazing lands following centuries-old routes.
Practical
Ferries dock at the harbor town of La Restinga and connect the island with Tenerife, while the small airport near Valverde offers direct flights. Hiking trails cross cloud forests and lava fields, but the coast often shows rough conditions with strong waves and wind.
Did you know?
A combined wind and hydroelectric plant supplies the entire island with electricity from renewable sources without external input. The facility stores excess energy by pumping seawater uphill into a mountain reservoir and generates power on demand by releasing it back down.
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Villa de Valverde
10.8 km
Punta Orchilla Lighthouse
15.3 km
Pico de Malpaso
4.6 km
La Caleta
12.7 km
Pozo de la Salud
10.3 km
Mirador de La Peña
6.6 km
Tanganasoga
6.3 km
Mar de Las Calmas
9.5 km
Roques de Salmor
8.2 km
Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, Valverde
10.6 km
Tacorón
9.2 km
Parador de El Hierro
5.5 km
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
621 m
Roque de la Bonanza
6.2 km
Monumento Natural de Las Playas
5.5 km
El Hierro
0 m
Piscinas La Caleta
12.4 km
Puerto de La Restinga
12.4 kmFuga de Gorreta
3 km
Bahía de Timijiraque
8.7 km
Arco de la Tosca
13.9 kmPlayas de Manchas Blancas
10 km
Las Playas
5.4 kmLas Playecillas
7.7 kmPlaya del Cantadal
11.2 km
Playa de la Madera
11.5 kmPlayas de los Mozos
11.1 kmPlaya de los Goranes
10.8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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