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San Andrés y Sauces
The community consists both of the town of San Andrés and of Los Sauces in the northeast of the island.
Together they have about 5500 inhabitants and a size of 44 km sq.
San Andrés is a picture book village, with cobblestone paths, typical old Canary homes and one of the finest town squares near the church. A stroll through the alleyways is well worth the effort.
Los Sauces, upside of San Andrés, is accessible by the newly constructed bridge of Los Tilos, which extends across the Barranco del Agua. At 357 m, it is the longest arched bridge in Spain, and is said to be the largest floating bridge arch in Europe.
The region around San Andrés and Los Sauces offers tourist highlights such as the bay forest, with the Barranco del Agua and the spectacular hiking trail to the Marcos y Corderos springs.
Charco Azul
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Sightseeing:
Los Sauces: The small town with 4400 inhabitants is not a particularly popular tourist highlight for its own sake, but rather for its surroundings. Worth mentioning are, however, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Montserrat on the square and the water mill museum, in which Gofio flour used to be produced.
San Andrés: Picturesque, typical Canary town with a wonderful town square near the 16th century Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol. The visitor can travel the upper street down to the coast and then, past the old lime kiln, reach the Charco Azul.
Charco Azul: Pretty bathing area with natural swimming basins, rocky terraces and restaurant.
Puerto Espíndola: This small fishing harbour is located north of San Andrés, and is where boats in the water must be loaded by crane because of the steep coast. Sugar cane, which is still harvested on La Palma, is processed in the neighbouring rum factory Destilería del Valle.
Los Tilos: To the left in front of the bridge to Los Sauces, one can travel the old street which extends through the Barranco del Agua directly to the bay forest, ending at the visitor centre. UNESCO declared the area a biosphere reserve in 1983 because it is one of the most fascinating landscapes on La Palma. Short and long hikes can be embarked upon from here.
Mirador de las Barandas: Behind the visitor centre, a small path leads over 700 steps upwards to the Mirador. Wonderful view of the forest area and Los Sauces.
Barranco del Agua: Before the last curve to the visitor centre, a clear trail branches off, running along the water canal and later leading directly down to the Barranco. Ferns, epigeal, lichen and liana as well as water dripping constantly from the rocky crevices define the luscious vegetation of the canyon, which is only a few metres wide. The path to the back wall is not always fully accessible, particularly during the rainy season, but at least a short part of it is always surmountable and well worth the visit.
Quellen Marcos y Cordero: Spectacular hike at 1300 m, through which 12 tunnels must be travelled before the visitor reaches the springs. Flashlight, rain gear and appropriate footwear are essential, as well as sure-footedness.
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