El Hierro 
Wild landscapes, forests and volcanoes in remote locations.
El Hierro, the most westerly of the Canary Islands, is the most remote in the Archipelago and, until the Americas were discovered, was the last outpost of the known world. El Hierro is also the smallest and least visited of the seven main Canary islands and consequently the most peaceful.
El Hierro is about as far removed as you can get from tourist hordes, bars and commercialised shopping. It is a rural Canary island, largely untouched by tourism. The green farmland divided by rough stone walls is more reminiscent of the Irish countryside than a sub-tropical island.
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Time stands still in the squares of the little capital, Valverde, and life on El Hierro is unhurried. Valverde is the only Canaries capital not on the coast, and it's a lovely, red-roofed town of about 100 residents.
El Hierro - Geography:
The southern part of the Sabine Pine forests along the central ridge is a natural park, 'Parque Natural de El Hierro', with well laid out tracks for walking through the fascinating flora. It affords spectacular views over the Mar de las Calmas.
El Hierro's east coast is often windy whereas the north and high central ridge is covered with mist. Down on the west coast in Frontera it is much sunnier. The sunniest spot on El Hierro is usually La Restinga, the southern-most village in the Canaries - an ideal choice for a relaxing winter sun holiday.
El Hierro - Recreation & Activities:
There are a few beaches on El Hierro as this Canary island is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, sabine pine forests and the beautiful valley of Frontera. Walking is good and the main leisure activity on the island and there are several miradors (viewing points) on El Hierro, and one of these looks down along Las Playas and the east coast. Other walking routes take you through hamlets such as Echedo, in the heart of wine-growing territory, or the cheese-producing village of Isora.
Echedo lies in an important wine-growing area on El Hierro and its gracious houses are surrounded by typical vines with volcanic ash. From here a track leads to the 'Charco Manso', fantastic natural swimming-pools set in a rugged coast, with lava arches and blow-holes.
A wealth of marine life thrives in the ocean surrounding El Hierro. The sea off the south of the island is normally calm and clear and is an underwater national park - Mar de las Calmas - and is popular for SCUBA diving.
Playa de la Verodal, in the extreme west of El Hierro, is the only beach of reasonable size on this Canary island. It is quite remote and noted for its red sand. Due to the lack of beaches, swimming and sunbathing areas have been carved out of the rocks and natural swimming pools formed.
El Hierro - Gastronomy:
Some of the best wine and produce in the Canaries can be found on El Hierro. The wine from La Frontera is renowned throughout the Canary islands and here bananas, figs, grapes and pineapples grow in profusion. La Restinga has a few fresh fish restaurants and there is a good choice of restaurants in Frontera where you can sample the local fayre.
El Hierro - Getting there:
El Hierro is the most remote of the Canaries and is not as well served with ferries and flights as the other islands. The usual way to get to El Hierro is by flights from Tenerife North Airport of which there are three a day. You can take a transfer from Tenerife South Airport to Tenerife North Airport (transfer time about 90 minutes) and catch a flight to El Hierro (flying time about 40 minutes). Binter Canarias also flies from La Palma to El Hierro on Fridays and Sundays.
El Hierro - Our Secret Destinations:
Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged secluded holiday destinations in El Hierro. Holiday villas, apartments and hotels in beautiful coastal and rural locations. Privately owned fincas, cortijos and apartments, hand-picked for a taste of authentic El Hierro.
