What is it?

Las Palomas Special Nature Reserve is an evergreen hillside forest, located between the municipalities of La Victoria and Santa Ursula. It consists of a peak covered with beautiful woodland, containing plants from the laurel family mixed in amongst the many pine trees – certain species of which are categorised as protected and endangered. Notable bird life in the area includes two species of pigeon that make their home among the laurel trees and shrubs: Bolle's pigeon (Columba bollii) and the laurel pigeon (Columba junoniae), which are particularly abundant in the ravines on the eastern side of the reserve. As a constituent part of a larger area, the reserve plays a role in essential ecological processes such as the replenishment of aquifers and the protection of the soil, as it is a wooded area that is exposed to the wet weather brought by the trade winds.

Getting there

Las Palomas Special Nature Reserve can be accessed from the centre of La Esperanza via Calle del Ayuntamiento (Calle Grano de Oro): continue up the street until you reach a roundabout, and take the dirt track that leads straight ahead. Continue along the track for approximately 1.5 kilometres until you reach Data del Coronado farm, where you will see a sign indicating the start of the track known as the Pista del Rayo. Continue along this track for approximately 2 kilometres, to a junction of four tracks known as the Plaza de La Paz: take the track that lies straight ahead, and after approximately 5 kilometres you will arrive at the southeastern edge of the reserve.

The area can also be accessed from Santa Úrsula via the TF-217, which runs from the town hall in the direction of Santa Cruz: take the turn-off that appears at kilometre 30 and continue on towards the district of Farrobillo. Stay on this road, which will eventually become a dirt track that leads into the reserve. There are in fact a number of routes into the protected area from Santa Úrsula; however, it should be borne in mind that they all feature very steep slopes and it is not recommended that you attempt to drive on them with a vehicle that is not four-wheel drive.

Total area

584 ha.

Municipality

Santa Úrsula and La Victoria.

Governing legislation

Las Palomas was declared a Nature Reserve and area of environmental sensitivity by Autonomous Region Act 12/94, which was later integrated into the Organisation of the Canary Islands Territory Act via Legislative Decree 1/2000.