If you want to do something really special and immerse yourself in the culture of La Palma, come with us on this extraordinary tour! Our tour begins at the visitor center of the Caldera de Taburiente, where we watch a short film about the national park. In the Riachuelo pine forest we meet Thomas, who introduces you to the centuries-old tradition of the shepherd’s leap (“Salto del Pastor”). With a lance over three meters high, you will learn how to move from the path over the slopes. After a 1-2 hour workshop, we go up to 1287m on the Cumbrecita, where we have a wonderful view of the largest erosion crater in the world. Here we go on a short hike of about an hour, during which you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the caldera. More information about the shepherd’s leap The “Salto del Pastor” is a Canary Islands locomotion technique from pre-Hispanic times, developed by shepherds who had to follow their goats through deep ravines and over steep slopes. A 3-4 meter long lance – previously with a horn tip, now with a metal tip – serves as an aid. To ensure that the tradition is not lost and because it is simply fun, there are a few clubs that train regularly and go on tours with the lance. The technique is also extremely useful if you want or have to go off the beaten track – for example when fighting invasive plant species. Thomás is almost a legend on La Palma when it comes to the shepherd’s leap and is also a great teacher. At over 60 years old, he moves over the mountains with his lance as agilely as a young goat. I got to know him with various hiking groups, mostly in the Caldera, when he told me where he had already been with his lance that day. Now that he is retired, he has made it his mission to pass on the tradition and take it out into the world.
difficulty: easy (suited for kids from 10 years on)