Others Places of Astronomical Interest

“Trocha” de Puntagorda

At this site there are two recommended locations:

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

1.- “Trocha” de Puntagorda 1

“Trocha” de Puntagorda 1

  • Latitude: 28º 44′ 54,24″ N
  • Length: 17º 54′ 31,96″ W
  • Altitude: 2030 m.

The conditions of darkness and height makes this site an ideal place for the most skilled observation. Access to the site is difficult due to the steep gradient of the track which is practicable only for relatively powerful motor vehicles, despite having sections covered with cement and small laybys. We recommend going before dark, even visiting the site before your observing trip to see the conditions. Limited places. For your safety you should let people know that you will be in the area. This is the only route out in case of evacuation. There is NO mobile coverage.

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

2.- “Trocha” de Puntagorda 1

“Trocha” de Puntagorda 2

  • Latitude: 28º 45,8′ 20″ N
  • Length: 17º 55′ 59,71″ W
  • Altitude: 1.566 m.

This option is safer than the one given above. A few meters from the start of the cement track you will find a large area with a wooden tables. Although this is at a lower altitude than the site mentioned above, this place is more secure: there is mobile coverage in case of an emergency and there are several evacuation routes.

miradorMontanyaMatos

3.- Montaña Matos – Puntagorda

  • Latitude: 28º 47′ 10,69″ N
  • Length: 17º 59′ 27,53″ W
  • Altitude: 506 m.

The road to the top of this mountain is only accessible by SUVs. However, we suggest that you walk the short stretch to see the sunset from the top, and then enjoy the night sky with the naked eye or / and a small portable telescopes or binoculars. You will need a torch and warm clothing.

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

4.- Garafía Port Viewpoint

  • Latitude: 28º 49′ 32,70″ N
  • Length: 17º 57′ 52,47″ W
  • Altitude: 132 m.

The road to this place is paved but narrow in sections, so we recommend extreme care, especially at night. This is a good place to carry out educational activities, with the naked eye and telescopes.

lagunabarlovento

5.- Laguna de Barlovento

  • Latitude: 28º 48′ 29,79″ N
  • Length: 17º 48′ 8,10″ W
  • Altitude: 735 m.

This is a recreation area with various services, located above the village centre. It has extensive flat areas ideal for educational group activities in astronomy. The camping area has a capacity of approximately 450 people. For camping or for more information, contact Barlovento Town Hall.

mirador Jarin de las Hesperides

6.- Garden of the Hesperides Viewpoint – San Andrés y Sauces

  • Latitude: 28º 46′ 19,68″ N
  • Length: 17º 45′ 58,88″ W
  • Altitude: 340 m.

Above the Barranco de la Herradura, in the municipality of San Andrés y Sauces, there is a monument carved in stone, as an allegory of the classical myth which links the Garden of the Hesperides with the Canary Islands. The Venus depicts the goddess Juno (or Virgo) symbol of mother nature and fertility, and the Ram (or Aries) is linked to the “golden apples” and the Argonauts. The golden apples, planted in the garden, were overseen by the dragon Ladon, who blew fire from its hundreds of mouths (like volcanoes) and by the Hesperides, seven sisters like the seven Canary Islands. Feel the power of a legend: VIDEO (only in Spanish).

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

7.- Risco de La Concepción – Breña Alta

  • Latitude: 28º 40′ 24,54″ N
  • Length: 17º 46′ 42,10″ W
  • Altitude: 398 m.

This site is located on a crater formed under water which has a crescent shape. From that location and at night you can see the lights of the Las Breñas and Santa Cruz de La Palma. At midnight you can see how the amount of light changes due to the Sky Law. Although there are some street lights, this is a good site for conducting outreach activities and initiation into naked eye observing.

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

8.- Montaña de la Breña – Breña Baja

  • Latitude: 28º 37′ 57,34″ N
  • Length: 17º 46′ 55,68″ W
  • Altitude: 565 m.

A place from which you can look out over much of the eastern side of the island. There are steps from the parking area to the top of the viewpoint, which makes it difficult to move large astronomical equipment. However, it is a good site for outreach activities and learning to observe with the naked eye or with a small astronomical instruments such as binoculars instead. Unfortunately, the site has begun to suffer from light pollution.

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

9.- Fuencaliente Lighthouse

  • Latitude: 28º 27′ 20,30″ N
  • Length: 17º 50′ 34,61″ W
  • Altitude: 20 m.

The lighthouse marks the southern tip of the island, and the salt pans, the lunar landscapes of volcanoes and the irregular coastline are all subjects for photographs of nocturnal landscapes. The site’s darkness allows visitors to observe numerous constellations of the Southern Sky.

Stars Island La Palma, turismo de estrellas, Isla de La Palma, Canarias

10.- Los Andenes – Barlovento

  • Latitude: 28º 45′ 40,01″ N
  • Length: 17º 52′ 2,83″ W
  • Altitude: 2278 m.

A viewpoint next to the access road to the Roque de Los Muchachos. Since it is at a very high altitude, this is a good site for photography and amateur astronomy. Due to its proximity to the professional observatory, light pollution and laser pointers are prohibited.

miradorMimbreras

11.- Las Mimbreras Viewpoint – Barlovento

  • Latitude: 28º 48′ 41,59″ N
  • Length: 17º 50′ 3,57″ W
  • Altitude: 842 m.

Access to this site is by paved secondary road “Las Mimbreras” (Barlovento – Garafía). It has narrow sections, so we recommend caution at night. This is a good place to carry out educational activities, with the naked eye and telescopes.

VISIT THE OBSERVATORY

The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory is open to visitors.
Take this chance and enjoy the stars from one of the most privileged sites on the planet for astronomic observations.

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