In El Paso, volcanic landscapes, viewpoints and silk craftsmanship come together as different facets of the destination. This means the town cannot be reduced to a single type of excursion: alongside nature, there is also a visitor centre with a varied range of offerings and a craft tradition that is still maintained today.
Orientation and volcanic landscape
The El Paso Visitor Centre offers reception and information services, a bookshop, an exhibition and film screenings in a 70-seat auditorium. There is also a video library and a specialist library. Endemic plants grow in the educational botanical garden. These offerings provide different ways to explore the area: you can learn about the exhibition and watch the films, read up in the library or discover the island’s plants.
The Volcán de Tajogaite is part of the island’s more recent volcanic history. It erupted on 19 September 2021 at 15:10 in the municipality of El Paso, on the ridge of Cumbre Vieja. The date, time and precise geographical location place the event in the history of the area without equating it with one of the viewpoints or hiking trails.
The Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente is also located within the municipality. Its natural depression is eight kilometres in diameter and about 1.5 kilometres deep. Extensive Canary Island pine forests, steep ravines and striking rocky ridges shape the landscape. Steep trails wind through monumental pine forests in the park; check trail conditions before setting out on a hike.
Views at different times of day
The Mirador Llanos del Jable is located in the upper part of El Paso at an altitude of 1,200 metres. During the day, the view stretches across the Valle de Aridane, with the old Montaña Quemada volcano in the foreground. At night, the same viewpoint is a place for stargazing. La Palma is recognised as a Starlight Reserve for the quality of its skies. The viewpoint therefore offers two clearly distinct perspectives: views across the valley by day and the starry sky at night.
The Mirador de la Cumbrecita is a natural balcony at the end of a narrow valley, overlooking the Caldera’s abyss. Several trails lead from there into the park’s well-maintained trail network. Access to the viewpoint is only possible daily between 8:30 and 16:00 with a free parking reservation made in advance. If you are planning a visit, check the access rules and trail conditions before setting off.
Silk craftsmanship in El Paso
The Museo de la Seda Las Hilanderas offers another perspective on El Paso. It preserves the tradition of silk production, from raising silkworms to weaving and embroidery. At the Taller de las Hilanderas, visitors can watch the craftswomen work using a process that has disappeared elsewhere in Europe. If you are planning a visit, check the museum’s visitor information in advance.
It is the combination of the individual stages of work that makes the subject so vivid: here, silk represents not just a finished fabric, but a craft tradition encompassing silkworm rearing, weaving and embroidery. Together with the landscape and viewpoints, this creates a varied picture of El Paso—from the natural features of the municipality to a specific cultural practice.
Discover more destinations: Tacande, Triana, Las Manchas, Quinta Zoca, Los Llanos De Aridane, Breña Alta, Puntagorda, Tijarafe.
For the overall travel guide: La Palma.
