The Cloud Waterfall

The cloud waterfall and the Caldera de Taburiente
The cloud waterfall and the Caldera de Taburiente

Because the island sits in the trade winds, damp air hits the northeast of the island and has to rise, where it turns into clouds. Because La Palma has a north-south spine called the Cumbre Nueva, the cloud quite often reaches up to the ridge and then tumbles over as the cloud waterfall. This is extremely pretty, and best viewed from around the western side of the tunnel. You can also look down on it from the Los Andennes mirador on the road to the observatory.

Sometimes, when the winds blow from the west, the waterfall tumbles down the eastern side of the ridge.

Occasionally, it keeps going after sunset, and you can see it lit by the full moon, which makes you wonder if you’ve slipped through to Narnia or Middle Earth.

Just once, I saw a spectacular sunset illuminate it candyfloss-pink.

I didn’t have a camera.

I swore.

Posted by sheila

Sheila came to La Palma with a six month contract and has stayed 24 years so far. She used to work as a software engineer at the observatory, but now she's a writer and Starlight guide.

This article has 3 Comments

  1. I always wondered why there was a church at Virgen del Pino, near El Paso, when i visited it for the first time i discovered why. The church is located at the base of the waterfall cloud, looking up and seeing masses of white cloud just above you is very intimidating and simply a wonder really. This phenomenon only occurs a few times a year, but i think this is the reason for the location, it is the site of this miracle cloud

  2. Actually the church is at El Pino because someone saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in the pine tree there. I might do a future post on that, but I feel I have rather too many posts about churches. There are so many beautiful churches here, and they’re still a big part of many people’s lives.

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