Mountain passes around Breña Alta, a municipality on La Palma in the Canary Islands, are characterized by mountainous terrain and elevated areas. The region features diverse environments, from dense pine forests to volcanic rock formations. High-altitude points and historic paths are prominent features for exploration, offering scenic views and connecting different parts of the landscape. Breña Alta is located on the eastern side of La Palma and is known for its agricultural landscape and significant viewpoints.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
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A beautiful king stage with impressive views, changing vegetation. The climb is a bit strenuous. Approx. 30% gradient (600 HM), the path is easy to walk. The long ridge path is equivalent to a road. If you like, you can walk this or choose the shady hiking path next to it. If you don't want to hike the long circuit, you have the opportunity to travel by bus or car to the El Pilar area and from there take a beautiful walk along the ridge path.
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Very long and quite demanding climb that from the center of Santa Cruz leads up to the "Roque de Los Muchachos" at 2426 meters above sea level. In total there are almost 41 kilometers that must be covered to reach the desired summit, but during the entire journey you can admire the wonderful landscapes that gradually open up to our eyes. Overall it is a street with little traffic and very quiet; I highly recommend checking the weather conditions before venturing towards the top because temperatures can drop significantly in winter and finding yourself pedaling in temperatures close to zero is not such a remote eventuality as you might expect from an island of the Canaries
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR59PSJ4vA8 The LP-4 highway, known as Carretera del Roque, is an impressive route in La Palma that extends for 47.84 kilometers. This mountain road leads to the Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory and the highest point of the island, connecting with the LP-403 in its final section. It begins in the Mirca neighborhood, in Santa Cruz de La Palma, goes up to the observatory and then descends to Hoya Grande in the Villa de Garafía. It is a spectacular route to enjoy panoramic views of the island.
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The LP-4 highway, known as Carretera del Roque, is an impressive route in La Palma that extends for 47.84 kilometers. This mountain road leads to the Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory and the highest point of the island, connecting with the LP-403 in its final section. It begins in the Mirca neighborhood, in Santa Cruz de La Palma, goes up to the observatory and then descends to Hoya Grande in the Villa de Garafía. It is a spectacular route to enjoy panoramic views of the island.
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The "Las Angustias" pass is the counterpart to the El Time climb opposite. Here you drive up 190 meters from the Barranco de las Angustias to the intersection of Argual, a district of Los Llanos. The climb is 3.52 kilometers long and has an average gradient of a pleasant 4.4 percent. The traffic volume here is also somewhat high as it is the immediate main road to the northwest island. However, the asphalt is great. You will also pass through some banana plantations during the climb.
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This climb from Las Norias up to Las Manchas or San Nicolas is a real challenge. With its 4.69 kilometers and 7.3 percent average, you can expect a real “torture.” The pass is brand new asphalted at the beginning. The entire road was built as a new connection road in record time after the volcanic eruption in 2021. The steepest ramps are waiting for you here. There are few plants and trees around at the moment, everything is very bare and the wind can also affect you here. As soon as you come across the old section of road, it becomes level again. Beautiful young palm trees are planted on the left and right of the street. Due to the old section of the climb, you don't necessarily see from the pass data how hard it really is at the beginning. This pass is an important connection of the two already completed lava roads back to LP-2, which is currently still buried by the lava. So if you want to drive towards the south of the island from Los Llanos or Tazacorte, there is currently no way around this climb.
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While traditional mountain passes are not numerous, Breña Alta offers several elevated points and trails with stunning views. Notable examples include Cumbre Nueva Ridge Trail, known for its impressive views and changing vegetation, and the challenging Ascent to Roque de los Muchachos from Santa Cruz de la Palma, a demanding cycle way with significant gradients.
Yes, Montaña La Breña is an excellent option for families. This volcanic crater offers a recreational spot with facilities like drinking water, barbecues, benches, toilets, and a children's playground. It's ideal for observing flora and fauna, and an autoguided trail helps visitors understand the landscape.
You can expect expansive and diverse views. From Montaña La Breña, you'll see the municipalities of Breña Alta, Breña Baja, and Villa de Mazo. La Palma: Caldera, crater rim at Reventón Pass offers views of the Caldera, while Mirador de la Concepción provides panoramic vistas of Santa Cruz de La Palma and the airport. The Astronomical Viewpoint of Llano de la Venta boasts magnificent views of the east coast.
La Palma generally enjoys a mild climate year-round. However, for the higher elevations like the Ascent to Roque de los Muchachos, it's advisable to check weather conditions, especially in winter, as temperatures can drop significantly and approach freezing.
Absolutely. La Palma is designated as a 'Starlight Reserve,' making it an exceptional place for stargazing. The Mirador de la Concepción is recognized as a special spot for this, and the Astronomical Viewpoint of Llano de la Venta, equipped with an indicator pole and planisphere, is specifically designed for astronomical observation.
The region around Breña Alta offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous MTB Trails, Running Trails, and Mountain Hikes. Montaña La Breña itself is an ideal spot for hiking and cycling.
Yes, the Ascent to Roque de los Muchachos from Santa Cruz de la Palma is a challenging cycle way, featuring a demanding uphill climb over 33 km with gradients of 7 to 12%. Another significant climb is the Las Manchas Ascent, which presents a real challenge with its steep ramps, especially after the volcanic eruption in 2021.
The trails offer diverse natural features. The Cumbre Nueva Ridge Trail features changing vegetation and impressive views. Montaña La Breña is excellent for observing local flora and fauna. The region is characterized by environments ranging from dense pine forests to volcanic rock formations.
Yes, Montaña La Breña is part of the 'Gran Recorrido' trail GR 130 (Island Tour), serving as the highest point of the stretch between there and Santa Cruz de La Palma. Additionally, the GR 131 El Bastion offers challenging sections with spectacular views.
Montaña La Breña is a well-equipped recreational spot. Visitors can find facilities such as drinking water, barbecues, benches, toilets, a children's playground, and an oven, making it suitable for longer stays and family outings.
The Las Manchas Ascent is unique because it was newly asphalted and built in record time after the 2021 volcanic eruption, serving as a crucial connection road. It features very steep ramps, and the landscape around it is currently quite bare, offering a distinct post-volcanic experience.
A water source is available at Reventón Pass, which is along the Cumbre Nueva Ridge Trail. Additionally, Montaña La Breña, a recreational area, provides drinking water facilities.


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