Walk 13 - El Cedro walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

A circuit in the popular walking area of the El Cedro Barranco, largely in laurisilva forest, but with superb views in the vicinity of El Cedro hamlet. Much of the route is along wide roadways, either unsurfaced or with paving but the principal descent is on a steep, rough, stony path, rather like the descent of a British mountainside. The return route has an ascent on a woodland path, steep but easy underfoot.

Start Point

Roadside spaces at the junction of the main road to Hermigua with a minor paved roadway signposted to El Cedro. Drive past Alajero, then the junction with the road to Chipude. At the next juntion (Pajarito) keep right towards San Sebastian. In a further 2½ miles turn left towards Hermigua. The junction with the parking spaces is one mile further.
Refreshments:
Bar/restaurant La Vista at El Cedro. Tel: 922-88-09-49 for opening hours.

Start down the paved roadway, steadily downhill for ¾ mile to a sharp left bend. Continue to a junction in a further 300 yards.

1. Keep left here, now rising gently through the forest. Pass through a rock cutting and cross 2 tiny streams to reach an informal car parking area (Las Mimbreras) among the trees, a little more than 2 miles from the start. (A diversion to the right here leads to the signposted Notre Dame de Lourdes chapel - 0.3km).

2. To continue the main route, follow ‘Acebinos 5’, round to the right, crossing a stream. The unsurfaced roadway twists and turns, generally rising gently through the forest, with tall tree heather, for nearly 2 miles. As the forest cover thins, there are glimpses of the great El Cedro Barranco, below on the right.

3. As the roadway bends to the left, turn right, along a narrow path signposted ‘Caserio de el Cedro 1.3’, descending steeply through the woods. Almost at once keep right at a fork. At the bottom of this section, meet another footpath, turning sharp right, (a few yards to the left is an unsurfaced roadway; do not join this). The path now contours across the hillside, leading to a prolonged and steep descent over rough, stony ground. Pass behind a house to continue down to the bar/ restaurant La Vista, now enjoying lovely views of the upper portion of the Barranco del Cedro and out to sea. Some of the old terraces are still cultivated.

4. Go down the path to the left of the bar building and descend to the stream at the foot of the slope. This appears to be the island’s only official camping area. Turn right at the bottom to walk beside the stream. Cross the stream to rise past the Casa Prudentia. At the junction above the building go left towards Hermigua, following the road as it then bears right to rise steadily up the valley side. (a diversion to the right, below the Casa Prudentia, leads to a remarkable tunnel which carries water for 500 yards through the hillside. With the aid of a torch it is possible to walk through this tunnel, paddling in the shallow water.)

5. In about 500 yards, at a junction by a National Park sign, turn sharp left to reach a spacious parking area. Walk across this area to find a footpath on the right, marked by blue arrows on a rock. The path is narrow but clear, rising quite steeply through the woodland to join the outward route at the sharp bend. Turn left for the final ¾ mile to the parking place.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.