Las Palomas

Special Nature Reserve

You will be walking through the Protected Landscape of Las Lagunetas, where a dense forested landscape awaits you teeming with pine forests, fayas, macaronesian heathland, the fayal-brezal, and laurel forests. You may come across one or two typical laurel forest pigeons, such as Bolle's pigeons and laurel pigeons, which are the area's most significant species. This stunning landscape covered with trees will welcome you with that typical forest moisture hanging in the air among the trees, pushed by the trade winds.

Municipality: Santa Úrsula and La Victoria

Expanse: 584 hectares (1,443.1 acres)

How to get there:

You can get here from the town of La Esperanza, climbing up along Calle del Ayuntamiento (also known as Calle Grano de Oro) until you come to a roundabout. There, take the dirt track that goes straight on. After roughly 1.5 km (0.9 miles), you will reach the finca of Data del Coronado. There is a sign there showing the start of the El Rayo trail. Take the trail and drive on for about 2 km (1.2 miles) until you reach a crossroads known as Plaza de la Paz. Carry on straight ahead, driving along the trail opposite you. If you follow this trail for another 5 km (3.1 miles), you will have reached the south-east edge of the Reserve.

You can also get there from Santa Úrsula by taking the TF-217 that sets off from the town hall towards Santa Cruz. Then, turn off at kilometre 30 and drive into the neighbourhood of Farrobillo. As you carry on upwards, the paved road becomes an dirt track that eventually reaches the Reserve. As well as this access route, there are a series of others from Santa Úrsula, but be warned that they all have very steep stretches and should not be taken by car; they are suitable only for all-terrain vehicles.