Mocanal is located in the north of El Hierro. Pastures and cultivated fields surround the village; its agricultural character and traditional architecture shape its appearance. Small streets and squares are also part of this picture. For travel planning, the focus is therefore on the rural surroundings and architecture, complemented by the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, local festivals and Pozo de las Calcosas in the El Mocanal area.

Village character and the drive through the tunnel

Mocanal also serves as a passageway: travellers drive through the Los Roquillos Tunnel into or out of the El Golfo valley. This is a different travel connection from seeing the village itself, whose agricultural character is also shaped by its fields, small streets and squares.

Church and festival traditions

The Church of San Pedro Apóstol in El Mocanal is recommended as a historic place to visit. It is a rectangular building with a nave and a sacristy attached to one side. The term nave refers to the church’s main space; the sacristy is located at the side of the building. Another feature is the wooden roof structure, with Mudéjar and Mozarabic influences. It is one of the few surviving examples of its kind on El Hierro. The floor plan and roof structure thus offer two distinct architectural points of interest: the floor plan describes the shape of the building, while the roof structure reflects a rare architectural style on the island. While the traditional architecture of the village can be seen in its small streets and squares, San Pedro Apóstol stands out as a single building with a distinctive roof structure.

During the Bajada, held every four years in honour of the island’s patron saint, El Mocanal’s traditional festival forms part of the route taken by the Virgen de los Reyes. The festival includes a Eucharistic celebration at the Church of San Pedro Apóstol, followed by a procession through the town’s main streets. Handcrafted carpets are also made each year for Corpus Christi, attracting numerous visitors. The timing differs: the carpets are part of the annual calendar, while the Bajada takes place every four years. If a specific celebration is the reason for your trip, check its date before making plans.

Pozo de las Calcosas: pools, building style and coastal views

Pozo de las Calcosas in the El Mocanal area offers a different perspective on the surroundings. It has a natural swimming pool with calm water. Many houses have old thatched roofs and walls made of volcanic rock. The natural pool and the houses draw attention to different features: the pool is part of the natural surroundings, while the roofs and walls showcase traditional building methods. The upper cliff edge is accessible by car; from there, a short walk leads to the village, with sweeping views of the ocean and the curving coastline.

Village scenery or a coastal focus?

When choosing a travel focus, the comparison is clear: Mocanal offers agricultural village scenery, church architecture and festival traditions; Pozo de las Calcosas offers a natural pool, houses with old thatched roofs and volcanic rock, as well as coastal views. This can help you decide whether you are mainly looking for village culture or a combination of coast and traditional architecture.

Discover more destinations: El Pinar De El Hierro, Valverde, Taibique, Sabinosa, Frontera

Return to the main travel overview: El Hierro.