Roque de los Muchachos
2,426 m
Spain
Also known as Роке-де-лос-МучачосAlso known as
Роке-де-лос-Мучачос
- Elevation
- 2,426 m
- Prominence
- 2,423 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Apr–Jun
- Routes
- 1
WorksReported 21 Jul 2026
Resurfacing of the LP-4 to the Roque de los Muchachos: the section between km 17.6 and km 20.0 is closed Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00 from 27 July 2026 until further notice; use the LP-4 from Hoya Grande (Garafía) instead. Earlier 2026 phases closed the eastern approach on weekdays from 13 April. Check with the Cabildo de La Palma whether the closure is still in force.
elfarodelapalma.es
Routes
1Sources differ: Alta (high difficulty) (Caldera de Taburiente National Park)
The classic walking approach to La Palma's highest point: 9.6 km along the rim of the Caldera de Taburiente on the GR 131, from the Pico de la Nieve track off the LP-4 (about 2,030 m) to the summit car park among the observatory telescopes, with about 810 m of cumulative ascent and constant views into the caldera. About 5 hours one way.
About 0% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 1 check note
- ascent 752 m is 1.9× the net gain 402 m: the line probably detours down and back up (not a traverse)
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 10.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +752 m
- −354 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,426 m
- Time Up
- 4h 32m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 01m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
The national park's trail 1 starts from the short track to Pico de la Nieve off the LP-4 road (about 2,020–2,030 m). Take the path towards Pico de la Nieve (2,232 m), bear right at the first fork, and from the top simply follow the rim of the Caldera de Taburiente north-west on the GR 131. The path undulates over a string of summits and cols on volcanic ground and broom scrub, crossing several fences that protect replanted native flora from goats, rabbits and aoudad, and passing junctions with the PR LP 07 (Los Sauces), PR LP 08 (Barlovento) and PR LP 09 (Roque Faro). The route ends at the Roque de los Muchachos car park beside the astrophysical observatory; the summit rocks and viewpoints are a few minutes away on the paved Espigón path (trail 4, 0.6 km). The park gives 9.6 km, 5 hours, 813 m of ascent and 420 m of descent, and grades it high difficulty because of its length and exposure to the elements rather than any technical terrain. The route is linear; most people arrange a car shuttle or taxi, or walk it out and back (6½–7 hours). In winter the park warns against walking it in northerly storms with fog on the crest, when temperatures fall below zero with a real risk of hypothermia, and against walking on ice. On hazy (calima) or dry, windy days carry plenty of water; there are no reliable springs.
Start
Pico de la Nieve car park2,024 m
- No bus reaches either end; use a taxi from Santa Cruz de La Palma or Los Llanos, or arrange a car shuttle.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pico de la Nieve car park → Roque de los Muchachos | 10.6 | 752 | 354 | 4h 32m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Pico de la Nieve car park2,024 m
- Shoulder: Pico de la Nieve2,231 m
- Shoulder: Pico de la Cruz2,351 m
- Parking: Roque de los Muchachos car park2,421 m
End of the LP-4 spur; start of the paved Espigón path (not on route line)
- Summit: Roque de los Muchachos2,426 m
Key Passages
- Pico de la Nieve
- Caldera rim on the GR 131
- Observatory area and Espigón path
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
The highest point of La Palma (2,426 m), on the northern rim of the Caldera de Taburiente beside one of the world's leading astronomical observatories. A road reaches the top, but the 9.6 km ridge walk from Pico de la Nieve along the caldera rim is the way to earn it.
Roque de los Muchachos is a cluster of dark rock pinnacles, the eroded remains of a volcanic cone, at the highest point of the horseshoe-shaped rim of the Caldera de Taburiente. The caldera drops more than 1,500 m below it into a forested basin; outward, the slopes fall to the Atlantic in all directions, so the summit's prominence equals its height. On clear days Tenerife with Teide, La Gomera and El Hierro rise above a sea of cloud.
The summit area is shared with the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, whose telescopes line the ridge to the north-west, and a road runs to a car park a few minutes below the top. Walkers usually come along the Ruta de la Crestería, the GR 131 along the caldera rim from Pico de la Nieve: about 5 hours one way, non-technical but long, exposed to sun, wind and occasionally winter storms.
The rocks lie inside the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. The high-mountain scrub of codeso and broom shelters several plants found only on La Palma, some of them saved from near-extinction by the park's fenced recovery plots along the crest.
Climbing Notes
The Crestería is a long hike rather than a mountaineering route: 9.6 km and about 810 m of cumulative ascent, starting at over 2,000 m. Arrange a car shuttle or taxi so you only walk one way, start early to avoid afternoon cloud, and carry 2–3 litres of water, sun protection and a windproof layer. The altitude is noticeable to some visitors; walk steadily.
In winter (roughly December to March) the crest can see snow, ice and freezing fog. The park advises against walking it in northerly storms or on ice, and the Cabildo closes the LP-4 when there is snow or ice, sometimes requiring chains. Check road status before driving up.
For a short visit, drive to the summit car park and walk the paved Espigón path to the viewpoints. Strong walkers can descend the GR 131 along the Time ridge towards Tazacorte, a descent of more than 1,300 m to Torre del Time, or continue south along the rim towards the Refugio El Pilar.
Season
Best Apr–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Possible snow and ice; LP-4 may close; dangerous in northerly storms
- Feb
- Possible snow and ice; check road status
- Mar
- Changeable; occasional late snow
- Apr
- Good conditions; flowering broom and tajinaste
- May
- Good conditions; spring flowers
- Jun
- Stable weather above the cloud sea
- Jul
- Hot sun; calima (Saharan haze) possible
- Aug
- Hot sun; calima possible
- Sep
- Stable, warm
- Oct
- Clear, cooler days
- Nov
- First storms; cold on the crest
- Dec
- Possible snow and ice; road closures
Access & Permits
- Permits
- Caldera de Taburiente camping authorisationOptional
Not needed for day walks on the rim. Overnight stays inside the national park are only allowed at the designated campsite with prior authorisation from the park.
gobiernodecanarias.org
- Rules
- Caldera de Taburiente National Park: stay on marked paths, do not enter the fenced flora-recovery plots, no wild camping
- Observatory area: the telescope compounds are not open to walkers; keep to the public road, car park and marked paths, and keep lights to a minimum at night out of respect for the observatory
- Private cars may park at the summit car park without reservation; the coach park is for organised groups only
- The LP-4 is closed by the Cabildo when there is snow or ice on the road, and chains may be required
- Getting There
Santa Cruz de La Palma (east) or Los Llanos de Aridane (west)
La Palma (SPC)
- By car on the LP-4 from Santa Cruz de La Palma (via the Pico de la Nieve turn-off) or from Garafía via Hoya Grande, then the observatory road to the summit car park
- No public bus reaches the summit or Pico de la Nieve; use a taxi for one-way walks
Hazards
- Weather