Las Playas
Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza
On the east side of the island of El Hierro is the natural monument Las Playas. In the bay of this natural monument is located on the north side Roque de la Bonanza, a vulcanic rock that rises above sea level. Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza are one of the most visited places on El Hierro. We visited Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza on a bright sunny day during our first week on El Hierro.
You can see Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza from the Mirador Las Playas. You have a beautiful view from above but the best thing is ofcourse to just go down there. You can only get there by car in one way and that is HI-2 by road. This one turns into the HI-3, which winds south along the East Coast. Just before Las Playas there is a tunnel and if you leave the tunnel you will see Las Playas, and you will immediately see that you have a special experience ahead of you. The tunnel is an experience in itself, because it is a single-lane tunnel where traffic travels south and north, there are traffic lights on both sides. That is quite striking, there are hardly any traffic lights on the whole of El Hierro.
As soon as you leave the tunnel, Las Playas looms directly in front of you. It is a semicircular valley created by geological activity in the form of landslides that caused the island to collapse and Las Playas to form. The valley is nine kilometers long and more than 1000 meters high, but the mountainside rises almost steeply and makes an big impression due to its height and length. In the valley there are still some inhabited houses and there is a bar-restaurant with a pub-discotheque next to it.
Las Playas
Las Playas is nine kilometers long and more than 1000 meters high with a mountain wall that rises steeply
The valley is further characterized by beautiful flora and fauna with a number of endangered plant species, such as the Taginaste, which can still grow here in the special climatic conditions. For beach lovers there are some small rocky beaches in the bay, a little hidden here and there but easily accessible. Don't expect hail white sand or a beach bar. The beaches are often quiet, the water is crystal clear and certainly not cold, even in winter.
On the north side in the bay is Roque de la Bonanza, which you can see rising directly on the left side of the sea as you leave the tunnel. It is a vulcanic rock that rises more than 200 meters above sea level. It’s separate shape owes the Roque to the erosion by the water and by the wind that always has free play in the bay. Take the time to view this rock from various angles, at least we couldn't get enough of it.
Roque de la Bonanza
Roque de la Bonanza is a vulcanic rock that rises 200 meters above sea level
At the very end of Las Playas on the south side is the special and striking hotel El Parador, one of the few real hotels on the island. It is really in a great place, secluded and quiet, with fantastic sea views with Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza in the distance.
As mentioned, you can reach Las Playas by car via the HI-2 but you can also walk to Las Playas. The official circular walking trail EH-3 runs along Las Playas and you can get there either via the village of Isora or the village of Las Casas. Then prepare for a solid climb and descent because more than 1000 meters of elevation difference must be overcome within seven kilometers. If you choose the hiking trail, you will automatically pass Mirador Las Playas at more than 1000 meters above sea level. From this Mirador you can see the valley 1000 meters below and you can also see Roque de la Bonanza well with the naked eye. Mirador Las Playas is also accessible by car. From the HI-4 road, the short exit to the Mirador between San Andres and Las Casas is well signposted.
Mirador Las Playas
Mirador Las Playas is a view point at 1000 meters altitude with great views over Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza
After we left the tunnel we actually parked the car directly and walked back along the coast. That way you have a close view of Roque de la Bonanza and the valley from all angles. We walked for at least two hours on what must have been the road along the coast in the past. Now it is a kind of rocky path along the vulcanic rock walls along the coast. The rock formations and colours you will certainly see in good weather are impressive and breathtaking. And you will see Roque de la Bonanza walking along the coast and Las Playas in optima forma. Then we followed the road that runs all the way through the valley. The road runs past the hotel on the south side after which it does not continue. We stopped several times to view Las Playas from as many angles as possible. And when the weather is clear you can even see the silhouettes of Tenerife and La Gomera in the distance.
And yes, we are beach lovers so we ended this visit with an hour of relaxing on one of the beaches. We were lucky, because we were the only ones at the time.
We recommend visiting Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza on a day with good weather and radiant sun. That gives the best experience in terms of diversity and colors in the vulcanic rocks and valley. And be sure to also go to Mirador Las Playas to look from above, which gives a completely different experience with beautiful views over the valley.
And of course look for more photo material on our Instagram post about Las Playas and Roque de la Bonanza and on our Polarsteps page!
Ella & Geert.