SL-FV 27 Vega de Río Palmas - Las Peñitas Dam

The SL-FV 27 trail begins in the Vega de Río Palmas, which owes its name to the Norman conquerors, who, upon entering this area, were astonished by the vast number of palm trees and the numerous springs found there. 

We will set off from the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, patron saint of the island. We will cross the local road FV-30 to enter the Barranco de Río Palmas, which we will follow for 500 m until we come to a bridge with several arches.  Once here, we will turn right to rejoin the road and, heading south-west, we will pass through the houses below La Vega until we reach a crossroads leading to the Las Peñitas dam, built during the first half of the 20th century. To do so, we will follow the course of the Barranco de Río Palmas, which resembles an oasis in the middle of an arid desert. Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) and tamarisk thickets (Tamarix canariensis) will be the main features along the route, although we will also find verodes (Kleinia neriifolia), wild tabaibas (Euphorbia regis-jubae) and typical riverside vegetation consisting mainly of giant reeds (Arundo donax) and common reeds (Phragmites australis).

The growth of this vegetation and the occasional presence of water attract numerous birds to this area. Among them are the common coot (Fulica atra) and the moorhen (Gallinula chloropus).

Next, we will enter the Barranco de las Peñitas along the right bank of the dam, which will lead us to the end of the local footpath. Although our route ends here, beyond the dam we can visit the Hermitage of the Virgin of la Peña, a small white chapel where, according to legend, the island’s patron saint appeared.