A paraglider’s-eye view of El Hierro
Los casi 269 kilómetros cuadrados que componen la isla son todo un tapiz de contrastes. Verdes, rojizos, negros y azules se extienden hasta mezclarse a lo largo de senderos y carreteras. Pero hay una forma diferente y mucho más emocionante de disfrutar de la naturaleza de El Hierro: desde el aire.
Known as the “Meridian Island”, it has everything you need to make one of humankind’s oldest dreams come true: to see the world from a bird’s-eye view. Its volcanic nature has blessed it with high-altitude landscapes, but also with a rugged terrain full of viewpoints and natural vantage points from which to jump off and enjoy free flight paragliding.
The archipelago’s climate conditions also work in its favour. The clear, warm skies provide the perfect setting for practising this sport all year round. The characteristic trade winds, meanwhile, are usually responsible for guiding and setting the pace of an unforgettable experience.
From unusual sport to El Hierro tradition
Paragliding came to the island decades ago and got off to a very good start. El Hierro’s unique conditions allow for different modalities such as sports and acrobatic paragliding, which quickly attracted the attention of professional and amateur pilots, who call it an Acro Paradise.
As the sky filled up with paragliders, a real passion for paragliding began to burgeon. At present, not only does El Hierro regularly host national and international competitions, it also has a deeply rooted culture around this sport, comprised of various specialist companies, associations and local groups which promote the respectful practice of the sport in different parts of the island.
Enjoy paragliding all year round
El Hierro is ideal for paragliding 365 days a year. The mild temperatures and trade winds provide a steady, constant propulsion, along with the perfect environment for practising this sport. However, whether there are currents or not, across the island there are numerous slopes, ravines and peaks ready and waiting to be enjoyed in free flight at any time of year and in all conditions.
Flying areas in El Hierro
Paragliding is practised in mountainous regions as a high altitude is required for take-off. As a result of its rugged terrain, there are many jumping-off areas on the island. However, Dos Hermanas stands out from all of them as one of the highest and most renowned spots for paragliding in the entire Canary Islands’ archipelago.
The best views of El Hierro
Exploring the island of El Hierro from the sky is one of the great experiences offered by the Canary Islands. Soaring up to the clouds and discovering, from a different perspective, the peculiar volcanic landscape and the beauty of the coastline here is a truly memorable experience.
Flying here is an immense visual explosion. You’d stay up there forever
A panorama full of contrasts that are even more striking when seen from on high: pine forests, junipers twisted by the trade winds, rugged mountains, green valleys, rope lava flows that give the volcanic scenery its fame, and tiny villages that will make you never want to come down.
El Hierro can be experienced from the sky, as well.