Llano del Jable astronomical viewpoint, on the El Paso ridge

For those sleeping in the east of the island or in the Aridane valley, this is the most convenient astronomical viewpoint: it is on the summit of El Paso, at 1,341 m, on a plain of black picón among Canary pines in Cumbre Vieja, at the foot of the Pico Birigoyo. It is part of the network of more than a dozen astronomical viewpoints that the Cabildo has spread around the island, designed for looking at the sky on your own, without a guide and without paying.

Panels, the Pole Star and a planisphere

The viewpoint has a main panel explaining the Sky Law, which protects La Palma's darkness, and what constellations are; a silhouette of the horizon in front of you so you know what you see at night; four star charts for recognising the constellations; a post pointing to the Pole Star and a planisphere wheel for finding the constellations that never set, such as the Great Bear and Cassiopeia. There are no telescopes or lights.

Getting there at night

From Los Cancajos it is about 24 km by mountain road, and from El Paso, less. Count on driving back in the dark on bends: do it slowly and use full beams only when no one is coming. Park so that your headlights don't shine on anyone already observing.

When it is worth it

Moonless nights, when the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. At this altitude you are often above the sea of clouds that covers the coast, though not as high as the viewpoints of the northern summit, Pico Cruz and the Monumento al Infinito, which exceed 2,100 m. If the fog rises to the summit, you will see nothing: the Cabildo's Trail Network also warns that in fog it is hard to find your bearings on the Llanos del Jable, so don't stray from the viewpoint.

Before setting out

Bring a red-light torch, a mat or folding chair and a coat, because at that altitude the night is cool all year. Binoculars help. If you use Stellarium on your phone or computer, the Cabildo's StarsIsland website has this viewpoint's 360º horizon profile to download, so the program shows you the stars over the same mountains in front of you.

With a guide, another night

If you first want to learn to recognise what you see, do a guided observation and come back here another night on your own. And if what you want is to photograph the sky, the night photography tour chooses the site with the best conditions each night.