# Llano del Jable astronomical viewpoint, on the El Paso ridge

What to do en La Palma · La Palma

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/things-to-do/llano-del-jable-astronomical-viewpoint · Revisado: 2026-11-13

- Duración: 1 h
- Temporada: All year, at night
- Para quién: Everyone; no walking

Self-guided astronomical viewpoint · At 1,341 m in Cumbre Vieja · Free · At night, no guide

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.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 28.6174, -17.8486

## Cerca de aquí

- [Casa Rural Carlota, Breña Baja](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/where-to-stay/casa-rural-carlota), a 7.4 km
- [Parador de La Palma restaurant](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/where-to-eat/parador-restaurant), a 8.1 km
- [Parador de La Palma, Breña Baja](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/where-to-stay/parador-de-la-palma), a 8.1 km
- [La Cumbrecita viewpoint, looking over the Caldera de Taburiente](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/things-to-do/la-cumbrecita-viewpoint), a 9.0 km
- [Casa Osmunda, Breña Alta](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/where-to-eat/casa-osmunda), a 9.2 km
- [Guided night landscape photography tour](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/things-to-do/night-landscape-photography-tour), a 9.2 km
- [Stargazing with telescopes from a summit viewpoint](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/things-to-do/stargazing-tour-la-palma), a 9.2 km
- [Roque de los Muchachos summit and the path to the Espigón del Roque](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma/things-to-do/roque-de-los-muchachos-summit-walk), a 15.6 km

## Consejos

### Switch off the car lights on arrival
Eyes need a good while to adapt to the dark, and every headlight or lit screen takes you back to the start.

### Check the Moon before you go
With a full Moon the faint stars and the Milky Way disappear.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Do you have to pay or book?
No. It is a public open-air viewpoint.

### Is it lit?
No: it is a spot for observing in the dark. Bring a torch, preferably a red-light one.

### Which constellations can be seen from here?
The circumpolar ones, such as the Great Bear and Cassiopeia, all year; the viewpoint's planisphere helps you find the others according to the date.

### Are there toilets or services?
The Cabildo's listing mentions none. Go with everything you need.

Destino: [La Palma](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/la-palma.md)