Mirador de los Roques

Mirador de los Roques is on the GM-2, the ridge road that crosses La Gomera between San Sebastián and the middle of the island, within the surroundings of Garajonay National Park. From the platform you look out at the rocks of Agando, Ojila, La Zarcita and Carmona, four volcanic conduits that solidified millions of years ago and were later exposed when erosion removed the softer material around them, leaving the lava plug standing. Agando is the tallest and dominates the view.

This is a roadside stop rather than an excursion. You park at the edge of the road, walk a few metres and turn back, so it pays to watch the traffic and the loose surface. Morning light is usually the cleanest, because as the day goes on the trade winds push the sea of cloud up this side of the island and the rocks can vanish within minutes. It is noticeably cooler up here than on the coast, even in summer, so a warm layer is worth carrying. There are other pull-ins along the same stretch, so check the sign to be sure which viewpoint you are standing at.