El Charco is a small locality in the northwest of the municipality of Fuencaliente. It is situated on a steep slope characterised by pine forest. The area offers several specific points of interest when choosing a destination on La Palma: its volcanic landscape, the Mirador El Charco viewpoint and Santa Cecilia Church. Those interested in volcanic landscapes, views and local church life can consider these themes together when planning their trip.
Volcanic landscape and views
The lava flows from the El Charco eruption are considered particularly worth seeing in the area. The eruption lasted from 9 October to 3 December 1712 and is classified as a confirmed explosive/effusive eruption with VEI 2. Its lava flows cover the adjoining area along the municipal boundaries with El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane. At the El Charco geological site, visitors can also see readily accessible examples of different lava morphologies, including Aa and Pāhoehoe lava at intermediate elevations.
From the Mirador El Charco viewpoint, the panorama looking downhill extends from the Canarian pine forest at higher elevations, across tabaiba scrub near the coast at lower elevations, to the coastal strip that belongs to the La Palma Marine Reserve. The view therefore brings together the highlands, coastal vegetation and the coast. The lava flows add a different dimension, making the area's volcanic origins a tangible part of the experience.
In the wider landscape, the protected Tamanca landscape lies in the southwest of La Palma. It extends across Fuencaliente, El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane and crosses lava flows from several volcanic events—from the 1712 El Charco eruption to the 1949 lava flows of Volcán de San Juan. Tamanca is part of the Canary Islands network of protected natural areas and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (ZEC) within the Natura 2000 network.
The geological site contains volcanic tubes with partly collapsed ceilings. This can create holes and unstable ground, so visitors are advised not to leave the paths. Stay on the paths and check conditions before your visit.
Santa Cecilia: Church architecture and feast day
Santa Cecilia Church is a circular building commissioned by José Miguel de Sotomayor on his estate in El Charco in honour of his wife, Cecilia Narváez Oliván. In the presbytery, the church has a Neo-Gothic altarpiece with three niches. These are two distinct aspects of the building: its circular shape and dedication tell the story of its origins, while the altarpiece is a specific feature of the interior.
The church stands on a slope surrounded by the 1712 lava flows of Volcán del Charco, which lie along the municipal boundaries with El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane. Santa Cecilia Church thus brings together architectural history and volcanic landscape, without implying that the location of the church building and the extent of the lava flows are one and the same.
Every 22 November, a sung Mass is celebrated at Santa Cecilia Church with the local choir, and the parish priest presides. Afterwards, at sunset, a small concert by the Fuencaliente municipal band takes place outside the church. If you would like to include this date in your travel plans, check the event details in advance.
Getting around and planning your journey
The Ruta de los Volcanes is a developed, signposted trail through the municipalities of El Paso, Mazo and Fuencaliente in the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park. The volcanoes named along the route are Birigoyo, Hoyo Negro, El Duraznero, La Deseada, El Charco, Martín de Tigalate, San Antonio and Teneguía. The trail provides a broader setting for exploring the volcanic theme; these locations form a series along the route and are not necessarily a single visit point.
Bus services run in both directions on Stage 6 of the GR 130 between Los Llanos de Aridane and Fuencaliente, providing access to the trail. Check the timetable before travelling. The Mirador El Charco viewpoint is on the LP-2 southern road, beyond the centre of Los Canarios in the direction of Los Llanos de Aridane; travel there by car via this road. Check the latest road information before setting off. This allows you to treat the journey to the trail and the drive to the viewpoint as separate planning considerations.
Discover more destinations: Puerto de Tazacorte, Playa Nueva.
Return to the main travel overview: Tazacorte.
