Drive the Old Road, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain

This is a spectacular drive. It will take you through an amazing variety of landscape in a very short time. It starts at the visitors centre above El paso and travels over backbone of the island down to San Idrio, Brena Baja.

Along the way you'll have plenty of opportunities to park the car, get out, walk around and explore. It's incredibly peaceful.

At the start of your journey the landscape is mostly dominiated by Sweet Chestnut trees and tree-heather. As you drive higher the landscape changes - Canary Pines become more dominant
as you pass the black lava flow (a result of an eruption in 1949).

Next, the road leads up to a fascinating volcanic cone (Mount Quemada) which stands at 1376 metres! Then you'll enter what looks like a desert of black volcanic granules, with the occasional lone pine tree here and there.

Then it's upwards to the Refugio El Pilar (1500m), which is a popular picnic area with the local Palmeros, especially during the summer. There's also a BBQ, play and camping area here too.

At 1500 metres above sea level, it can get a bit chilly here in winter, so remember to bring a jacket.

Once you pass the refugio, the road takes a right. On the way down to San Isidro you'll pass by another picnic area along with a number of other places where you can stop and check out the superb views out over the eastern coast of the island. And, if the days is clear you'll be able to see all the way to Tenerife and La Gomera.