Juniper Trees

The famous juniper tree

One of the things El Hierro is famous for is the juniper forest at the west end of the island. Go to the Hermitage at El Dehesa and either walk or drive along the dirt track behind it. You soon reach a cross-roads, where you take the left-hand track marked "El Sabinal". I found the track in surprisingly good condition, and we were able to drive the whole way, which is 3.5 km from the chapel to the little car park.

And from the car park, you can see the tree that's on a millon post cards, fridge magnets and T shirts. It's even on the cover of a Brian May CD.


I loved it. These Phoenicean Juniper trees (Juniperus phoenicea) obviously survive tremendously strong winds and it twists them into the most photogenic shapes. And the famous one isn´t the only one worth photographing.
While you're there, take the other fork to the mirador (viewpoint) at Bascos, where you get a fantastic view across the Golfo all the way to La Peña.

View from the mirador de Bascos