La Dehesa / El Sabinar (Juniper Forest)

One of the most surreal and photogenic hiking landscapes in the Canary Islands — the Sabinar de El Hierro is a protected natural area on the La Dehesa plateau in the island's windswept west, famous for its Canarian junipers (Juniperus turbinata ssp. canariensis) that have been sculpted by the relentless trade winds into extraordinary, almost humanoid shapes. The most famous specimen, the 'Sabina de El Hierro' (also called the 'Sabina Gorda' or 'Fat Juniper'), is an ancient tree estimated to be over 700 years old, its branches twisted and bent entirely horizontal by the wind, creating a natural sculpture that has become one of the symbols of the island. The area is part of the Frontera Rural Park and the El Hierro UNESCO Geopark. The main circular walking route (PR-EH 5, approximately 5 km, 1.5–2 hours) starts from the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Reyes (the island's sanctuary) and leads through the juniper forest, offering close encounters with dozens of wind-sculpted sabinas, many of them centuries old, each with a unique, anthropomorphic silhouette. The surrounding landscape is stark and elemental: a high plateau of red and black volcanic soil, golden grasses that sway constantly in the wind, and views that stretch to the Atlantic and (on exceptionally clear days) the silhouette of La Palma on the horizon. The wind here is constant — it's the force that created this landscape — so expect strong gusts at all times. The trail is well-marked and easy to moderate (flat to gently undulating terrain). Free access, parking at the Ermita de los Reyes. Best months: year-round (the wind never stops, but the landscape is always dramatic). Late afternoon light is the most beautiful for photography — the golden hour transforms the twisted junipers into even more sculptural forms. Combine with a visit to the nearby Faro de Orchilla (the westernmost point of El Hierro, the historical prime meridian) for sunset, or a meal in the village of Sabinosa. The Sabinar de El Hierro is a place of almost eerie beauty — a forest of living sculptures created by the elemental forces of the Atlantic winds. It's a short walk that packs an immense visual and emotional impact, and for many visitors, the most memorable hiking experience on El Hierro.