The Canary Island El Hierro

Facts
Size: 280 sqkm
Population: ca. 10.000
Capital: Valverde (approx. 1850 Einwohner)

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El Hierro, which was declared a biosphere reservation by the UNESCO in the year 2000, is, with its 280 sqkm, the smallest of the Canary Islands and is situated in the far south west of the archipelago. The distance between north and south coast is approx. 24 km while it measures approx. 27 km from the west to the east coast. The highest mountain is the ‘Pico de Malpaso’ with 1500m. With only 10.000 inhabitants and 1.000 guest beds the island maintained its tranquil origin far away from mass tourism.

Here volcanic forces created a bizarre landscape, which, despite being only small, couldn’t be more contrasting. El Hierro is a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, scuba divers and nature lovers, who want to discover this breathtaking, beautiful island for themselves. Despite its small size, El Hierro has a lot to offer: fissured, volcanic rock landscapes, beautiful pine- and laurel forests, magnificent mountain formations, fascinating scuba diving areas in the south and the west of the island, furtive fruit tree plantations in the valley ‘El Golfo’, vineyards in the north western parts and lovingly restored hotels and apartment resorts. If one can and wants to spend a holiday without sandy beaches and action one will find peace, nature and tranquillity on this island.

El Hierro consists of steep, rocky coasts with height differences of up to 1.000 m, partly inaccessible, partly with bathing-coves and natural swimming pools. There are no natural sand beaches in El Hierro. More than half of the island is protected area. If one crosses the island one will be fascinated by the contrasting plant life.

El Hierro has plenty of furtive regions – the pine forests, which are considered to be some of the biggest in the Canary Islands, the evergreen ‘Fog forest’ – but also large magma fields. The differences in height are enormous. The highest mountain, the ‘Pico de Malpaso’ descends steeply into the ‘El Golfo’ valley of which it is assumed to be the half of a volcanic crater fallen into the sea. The island is considered to be one of the youngest volcanic islands of the archipelago and probably developed 2-3 million years ago. Nowadays there are no active volcanos left.

The weather is dominated by the mild northeast trade winds. The min temperatures in winter are rarely below 17°C and in summer the thermometer seldom raises above 24°C. There are no poisonous animals in El Hierro. The variation of bird-, plant- and fish life is unique.