The Southern point - Los Canarios (La Palma)
The southern point of the island contains several interesting features. Having arrived in Los Canarios (previously called Fuencaliente) stop and have a quick look around the village, with views over the San Antonio volcano.
Follow the signs to Volcan San Antonio,
which takes you down the hill and then via a side road to the
top edge of the volcano.
Here you can park (small charge) and walk around half of the top
rim of this extinct volcano. It last erupted in 1677-78. The path
around the edge is wide, but there is a steep drop on both sides
so it is not for the faint-hearted. It can also be cool and windy
and sometimes the mist from the clouds blows across the crater.
Driving further down the hill towards Los Indias
you will see a gravel road (left) leading to Volcan de
Teneguia. Teneguia last erupted in 1971 and made the
island a bit bigger.
After parking the car at the small car park, walk
towards the volcano. It is open on the right hand side, so follow
the path a few meters to the right and you will see some small
holes in the rock wall on your left. To the left of the volcano
you can see the lava flow which ran down to the sea.
Drive back along the gravel road to the entrance and then continue
downhill. Just above the coast is a road (dead-end) to the right
which leads to 2 small bays.
The road goes to the left along the coast underneath the volcanoes through banana plantations and a banana packing factory to the lighthouses and salt wroks.
The salt works are not open to the public. This is where the sea-salt is found that is traditionally used to cook the papas arugadas. The salt pans had to be re-made after the volcanic eruption covered them.
This was a monumental effort achieved with volountary help of local people. To the right of the lighthouses is a small bumpy road leading down to a small bay with fishing boats and a small fish restaurant, which is an excellent place to try the local fresh fish.
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