Puntallana on La Palma: Black Volcanic Sand, Laurel Forest and Traditions

Playa de Nogales in Puntallana has black volcanic sand with partly bluish and greyish tones, an impressive cliff coastline and is located on the Atlantic Ocean.

Nature and Trails

Cubo de la Galga is a very green natural area with laurel forest in Parque Natural de las Nieves and is home to some of the world's finest laurel forest stands. In the northeast of the island of La Palma, it can be explored in two ways: a circular trail leads through the particularly impressive laurel forest, while a longer route connects the path with Montaña de La Galga and Mirador de San Bartolomé and continues towards Puntallana or San Andrés y Sauces.

The Puntallana Trail route follows the course of the Cabra Trail race and is 42 kilometres long. Montaña de San Bartolo is located in the east of the island of La Palma at an altitude of 439 metres and offers a natural viewpoint for observing the sky. It can be reached by car through Puntallana to Ermita de San Bartolo and then via a short ascent.

The viewpoint at Montaña de San Bartolo has ample parking, information boards, two star charts and a sculpture depicting the local legend of Salto del Enamorado. Puntallana also has a paragliding launch site with a north-north-easterly wind orientation at an altitude of 430 metres; the landing takes place at 240 metres in the adjoining fields by the road.

An updated bilingual tourism map in Spanish and English presents natural areas of interest, protected areas, coastal areas and mid-altitude areas, as well as selected sights. It also contains detailed information about the trail network, with routes of varying difficulty, as well as cultural and gastronomic offerings, public transport and information points.

Coast

Access to Playa de Nogales includes a car park and then a 500-metre path to the beach. Playa de Nogales is suitable for surfing; when the sea is calm, swimming is also possible there.

Culture

In the Galga district of Puntallana is Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Piedad y San Bartolomé, which dates back to 1514. Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Piedad y San Bartolomé is classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The chapel can be reached by car via the northern LP-1 road; a signposted turn-off to Pueblo and El Granel leads to the chapel in the centre of La Galga. Iglesia de San Juan Bautista in Puntallana is also protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category.

Casa Méndez in Puntallana is a significant part of the cultural heritage of the island of La Palma from the 18th century. Casa Luján reconstructs various scenes of everyday life from the period of colonisation using old furniture, textiles, decorative elements and other household objects.

Festivals

The Romería de La Galga, also known as San Bartolo, takes place in Puntallana in honour of Saint Bartholomew and is one of the municipality's most important celebrations.

The tradition of the Perro Maldito de Puntallana is celebrated on 23 August, the eve of Saint Bartholomew's Day, as part of the Fiestas de La Galga.

The Perro Maldito celebration takes place in the surroundings of Ermita de San Bartolomé; numerous visitors come especially to learn about this tradition.

At the Perro Maldito celebration, a performance depicts a battle between good and evil that ends with the intervention of the saint.

The patron saint festivities in honour of San Juan Bautista combined tradition, culture, sport and activities for all age groups and interest groups in Puntallana in 2026.

Other linked places: Tijarafe, Barlovento, Santa Cruz De La Palma, Breña Alta, Quinta Zoca, Hoya Grande, Las Manchas.

To the main travel overview: La Palma.