Pinar de Garafía

One of the best preserved pine forests

The Pinar de Garafía (Garafía Pine Forest) Integral Nature Reserve is one of the best examples of pine forests on the island and one of the best preserved in the Canary Islands. Its location, in the north of La Palma, the part of the island that receives the moisture from the winds, makes it very important for recharging the underground aquifer and protecting the soil. In addition to the pine, it is home to numerous protected endemic species, such as the Echium callithyrsum, elder and giant fennel. As for fauna, there are birds such as the blue tit and the laurel pigeon.

An ecosystem with protected endemic species

It is a mountain landscape of great beauty and ecological interest, which also stands out for its great age and maturity, and whose isolation has contributed to its conservation. This pine forest, which covers an area of more than 980 hectares, contains points of interest such as Fuente de la Tamagantera, Fuente de los Ríos, Fuente del Capitán and Pico del Cedro. This secluded spot is located in one of the most unspoilt parts of the island of La Palma. To the south, the area borders the crest of the Caldera de Taburiente, where the highest peaks on the island are to be found, with heights of over 2,000 metres.

Height

1100 m

Flora interest

Trekking routes

Wildlife interest

Garafía

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Sustainability

Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
Do not walk in areas where it is not allowed and respect the signposting along trails. Leaving the set paths causes damage to the environment and could also be dangerous for you and anyone with you.
Do not light fires outside the permitted areas and be especially careful during the summer months.
Try not to alter the peace of the environment with excessive noise (loud music, yelling, etc.).