Malpaso Canyon

The Malpaso is the high ridge that forms the roof of El Hierro, and its summit, the Pico de Malpaso, is the island's highest point at 1,501 metres. It is not a canyon: the Malpaso is an elevated part of the Cumbre mountain spine that runs through the island, and the scenery here is of a volcanic ridge with steep slopes on either side. It sits in the west of the island, above the El Golfo valley, and is reached by a road that climbs from the north through the forest. The island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the highlands are among the best-preserved parts.

The views are the reason to come. To the north, the El Golfo valley drops away in a giant curved wall, the remnant of an enormous landslide that carried part of the island into the sea tens of thousands of years ago, leaving a crescent-shaped amphitheatre of cliffs. Below, the green and brown patchwork of farmland and the dark line of the coast lead to the sea. On clear days, you can see the neighbouring islands of La Palma and La Gomera, and sometimes Tenerife on the horizon. The air is fresh, and the wind can be strong at the top.

The landscape on the ridge is stark and beautiful. Dark volcanic rock, cinder cones and lava fields cover the ground, and the vegetation becomes sparse and low as you climb. Lower down, you pass through forests of Canary pine and laurel forest, where fog drifts through the trees and moss grows on the branches. The mix of vegetation zones within a short distance is a feature of the island. There are trails along the ridge and down the slopes, some of them part of the island's network of long-distance walking routes, which range from easy walks to long, strenuous descents.

Getting to the summit area is straightforward by car, with a parking spot near the top, and there is no public transport, so you need a vehicle or a taxi. The final walk to the viewpoint is short and easy, and a longer hike can be done along the ridge. The site is open at any hour, with no entry fee, and it is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when the sky lights up. Sturdy shoes and a windproof layer are essential, and clouds can roll in quickly, hiding the view.

It suits walkers, photographers and anyone wanting a high vantage point. Combine it with the El Golfo valley, the El Pinar forests and the lighthouse on the island's southwest.