Las Nieves Natural Park

Las Nieves Natural Park is a large forested area in La Palma, Canary Islands, characterized by dense laurel woodlands and numerous waterfalls. The vegetation spans several municipalities and displays the diversity typical of this humid mountain region.

The area gained protected status in 1987 to preserve one of the last remaining laurel forests of the Mediterranean region from the Cenozoic era. This designation marked a key turning point for conserving this rare forest type.

The interpretation center in Los Sauces shows how local people have long valued and used this forest, sharing knowledge about the rare plants that thrive in the humid environment.

The park is accessible via the main road LP-1, which connects Santa Cruz de La Palma with Los Sauces and provides direct access to walking trails. Humidity is high throughout the year, so waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended.

The steep terrain captures trade winds and creates clouds that keep humidity constant, supporting rare plants like mountain oleander and La Palma violet. This natural weather system is what allows these special plants to survive here.