Playa del Verodal
The only red-sand beach on El Hierro: a virgin beach between cliffs, spectacular at sunset, but with a rough sea and currents that make swimming inadvisable.
Playa del Verodal, Frontera (El Hierro): the red-sand beach
On the western coast of El Hierro, within the municipality of La Frontera, Playa del Verodal surprises visitors with something seen on almost none of the other beaches in the archipelago: sand of an intense reddish tone, mixed with grey and orange hues. That colour comes from the volcanic rock that forms its surface, a legacy of the eruptions that shaped this stretch of coast. Surrounded by tall cliffs and vegetation, it offers a contrast of colours that makes it one of the most photographed spots on the island, especially at the end of the day.
A beach unique in the Canaries
El Verodal is one of the largest beaches on El Hierro and the only one on the island with natural red sand. It measures roughly 140 metres in length, with a strip of sand that narrows to about 10 metres at low tide. It is a virgin, isolated enclave, with no development around it, where the red of the volcanic ground, the blue of the Atlantic and the green of the slopes create a landscape hard to forget. It is a popular spot to watch the sunset in the west of El Hierro.
Rough sea: caution when swimming
El Verodal is not a beach for swimming without care. The sea is usually rough, with strong Atlantic swell and dangerous currents, and for much of the year a red flag flies. The bottom is sand and rock, and the cliffs that frame it can shed material, so it is best to stay away from their base. There is no permanent lifeguard service, so caution is each visitor's responsibility: if the state of the sea is doubtful, the most sensible thing is to enjoy the landscape from the shore and not go into the water.
How to get there and what to keep in mind
Access: from La Frontera take the HI-500 and then the HI-502, which descends towards the beach area. The final stretch combines paved road with a dirt track to the car park, about 25 minutes by car from the centre of La Frontera.
Parking: there is a cleared area next to the beach, with room for a limited number of vehicles.
Services: it is a virgin beach, with no bars, showers or toilets. Bring water, sun protection and everything you need, and leave no waste.
Surroundings: a natural, quiet enclave, ideal for photography and walks, especially at sunset.
More official information about the destination on the El Hierro tourism portal and on Hola Islas Canarias.
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