The weather, following the storm from the previous evening, remains quite uncertain for this new day in the northwest of La Palma. However, it seems that the sky, currently overcast, will clear up right where I’m staying, in Puntagorda! This presents the perfect opportunity to return to the Puertito de Puntagorda, but this time via the old mule tracks rather than the road.
Starting from my accommodation, I cross the village and begin my descent amidst properties and fields. The setting is idyllic and incredibly beautiful. As I move further from the village and the slope becomes steeper, houses give way to vegetation. It’s simply not possible to build homes in this area.
Approaching the coast, the landscape becomes gentler, and the sun gradually breaks through, occasionally accompanied by rainbows. The weather is milder by the ocean, and here, banana trees dominate, either growing freely or under massive greenhouses. I walk through these vast expanses until I reach the cliff.
There’s still a significant descent ahead, and like almost everywhere else on this coast, the land dramatically drops into the ocean. The final few hundred meters are steep, leading to the small parking area of Puertito de Puntagorda and, of course, to the port itself, accessed via a well-maintained concrete path created by the locals.
The quaint summer and weekend homes are beautifully decorated and furnished. Some are clearly cozy retreats designed for relaxation! It’s easy to imagine the vibrant summer life here, though in winter, it’s much quieter, with perhaps one or two homes occupied. Otherwise, the place is deserted, making it an ideal spot for a lunch break and a sun-soaked swim.
The ascent takes a different route, equally pleasant though as steep as the descent! It offers new variations of the landscapes encountered earlier, with the gradual reappearance of clouds and a mysterious ambiance towards the end, around the cemetery and the Puntagorda reservoirs! In short, a lovely loop that makes swimming even more enjoyable than if accessed by car!
Photos from the hike to the port of Puntagorda:
