Las Toscas viewpoint, Mazo

View south from Las Toscas, Mazo, La Palma island
View south from Las Toscas, Mazo

La Palma has lots of lovely viewpoints, and I just discovered a new one, at Montaña de las Toscas above Mazo.

Santa Cruz de La Palma, seen from Las Toscas Viewpoint, Mazo, La Palma island
Santa Cruz de La Palma, seen from Las Toscas Viewpoint

It has wonderful views up to the central ridge, and down towards Santa Cruz and the airport.

La Palma airport, seen from Las Toscas viewpoint, Mazo, La Palma island
La Palma airport, seen from Las Toscas viewpoint

If you think you can see a long way during the day, come back at night! This is one of the island’s astronomical viewpoints, so there are information panels explaining the night sky, and a signpost to the pole star, 434 light years away. Each astronomical viewpoint is different, and this one has information on nocturnal wildlife.

Astronomical information panel at the Las Tosca viewpoint, Mazo, La Palma island
Astronomical information panel at the Las Tosca viewpoint

To get there, take the LP1 to just south of Mazo (between km 7 and 8) and then the LP2062 (signposted PIRS). Follow this for 1.7 km, and then take the concrete track to the right (signposted “Mirador de unreadable”) for half a kilometre.

Tree heather in flower in February, Mirador de Las Toscas, Mazo, La Palma island
Bee enjoying the tree heather (Erica arborea)in flower in February, Las Toscas viewpoint

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.

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