El Golfo Valley (The Gulf Valley)

A breathtaking geological feature — a massive semi-circular depression approximately 15 km in diameter that forms the northern face of El Hierro. El Golfo was created by the El Golfo landslide, a catastrophic flank collapse of the volcanic edifice approximately 50,000 to 100,000 years ago (the most recent major collapse of the island). The steep, 1,000-metre-high headwall scarp (Risco de Tibataje) wraps around the valley in a dramatic horseshoe shape. The valley floor, at about 200 metres above sea level, is covered in extremely fertile volcanic soils and is El Hierro's main agricultural zone, producing the island's renowned pineapples (Piña de El Hierro, with a distinctive sweetness), bananas, mangoes, figs, and wine grapes under the **El Hierro Denominación de Origen (DO)**. The valley is divided between the municipalities of La Frontera and Sabinosa. Key attractions in the valley include the **Pozo de la Salud** (Well of Health) in Sabinosa — a mineral spring reputed since the 19th century for its therapeutic properties — and the **Mirador de la Peña** by César Manrique on the cliff edge above. The El Golfo vineyard terraces are among the most distinctive wine-growing landscapes in Europe, with vines planted on black volcanic soil in a unique landscape.