Barranco del Jorado

Barranco del Jorado is a deep volcanic ravine in the municipality of Tijarafe, in the northwest of the Canary Island of La Palma. It separates the neighborhood of El Jesús from the town center of Tijarafe and is one of the most visually striking landscape features in this part of the island, which is why it has been granted protected status as a Natural Monument (Monumento Natural).

Where does the name come from?

The ravine's name comes from the sharp, pointed rock formations that erosion has carved into its walls, with narrow gaps between them that locals call "juras." An old royal road, the camino real, once passed beneath a distinctive rock ridge pierced with holes on its left side, and this feature gave rise to the place name "Jorado" or "Jurado." Both spellings are still used interchangeably in local sources today.

What does the landscape look like?

Barranco del Jorado formed in basaltic materials that, shaped by erosion, produced almost vertical walls reaching up to around 620 meters in height. A defining feature of the landscape are the "juras" themselves — natural stone bridges and narrow passages, some of which are visible from the road that crosses the ravine. The deep, narrow canyon with its sheer walls is impressive even from road level, while the view from the nearby lookout point reveals the full scale of the formation.

What wildlife can be found here?

The steep, rugged slopes of the ravine provide habitat for birds typical of La Palma's cliff environments, including the red-billed chough, Bolle's pigeon and the laurel pigeon — both endemic to the laurel forests of the Canary Islands — as well as the common kestrel. Rock crevices support the protected mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), a species characteristic of the archipelago's dry, rocky terrain.

What can visitors see and how to get there?

One of the most popular ways to explore the ravine is the hiking trail leading to the Mirador del Barranco del Jurado, a viewpoint offering a full view over the canyon. The trail is rated moderate, covers about 3.7 km with roughly 425 meters of elevation gain, and typically takes between two and two and a half hours to complete. A stretch of the GR 130, the long-distance trail that circles the island, also crosses the ravine along its dry riverbed. Where the canyon meets the coast, there is a small sand-and-pebble beach known locally as El Jorado.

Frequently asked questions

Can you reach the ravine by car? A local road crosses Barranco del Jorado, so part of the landscape can be seen without leaving the vehicle, but the best views require walking to the lookout point or covering part of the trail on foot.

Is the trail suitable for beginners? The hike to the Mirador del Barranco del Jurado is rated moderate — it requires reasonable fitness because of the elevation gain, but it is not a high-mountain or technically demanding route.

Can you swim near the ravine? There is a small beach where the ravine meets the sea, but its character (volcanic sand and pebbles) and local sea conditions mean it's worth assessing swimming safety on site before going in.

Why is the site legally protected? Because of its unique geological formations — steep basaltic walls and natural stone bridges known as "juras" — along with the presence of protected bird and plant species, the ravine has been designated a Natural Monument.