Jinama #5

Jinama and the north-east of Hierro…

Jinama is probably the best and most popular look-out spots on Hierro, but it is often shrouded in clouds.

On today’s ride, the view were great when I arrived, but were gone five minutes later. 

On the HI-1, heading north-east towards Jinama.  San Andres in the distance....

A short bit of road to Jihama....

Cont'd next blog....

 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

 

North-west side of Hierro #4

Biking around north-west side of Hierro…

Rode through Sabinose again today....

The village was quiet – guess I missed the festival.

The clouds hang over the very top of the cliff, leaving the valley dry most of the time (they collect runoff for irrigation and drinking water).  

Telephoto shot of the tunnel entrance on the road going up to Valverde -  I passed through it by taxi, on my way to Frontera/Tigaday. 

Over a kilometer long, this is a three-lane tunnel, with two lanes uphill and one downhill.  No bikes or pedestrians allowed, even though it is lighted all the way. 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

South slope of Hierro #3

Continuing south-west from the HI-1, these roads pass along the south slope of Hierro, initially through an amazing pine forest, with the ground completely carpeted with pine needles.   The road zig-zags like a slalom course through the pine forest. 

Farther west, around El Julan, the forest gradually gives way to barren landscape, with more recent volcanic activity. 

 This is looking towards the south tip of Hierro, with La Restinga.   That white patch shows up on maps, but I have no idea what it is (maybe another banana plantation). 

At the very western end of Hierro, past La Dehesa, the road descends by a series of steep switchbacks, through very rugged volcanic landscape (Montana de los Guirres). 

Down near sea level, the road turns back east, along the north coast, for return to Frontera/Tigaday through Los Llanillos. 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

Top of H1-1 #2

The clouds cleared from the peaks of El Hierro today, so it was time to bike to the top on route HI-1.  This is a 15km climb, averaging about 6.7% gradient – and very steady also, with no really steep stuff. 

By 5km into the climb, there starts to be more vegetation and some trees.  By 9km, this is the rain forest, so nice cool temperatures with lots of shade.    Essentially no traffic – might see one or two cars about every twenty minutes. 

 Notice those covered areas - those are mostly banana plantations.

Intersection at the top of the climb....

Miradors along the HI-45, a little side road from HI-1.  HI-45 ends in a dirt road, so this is just a short out-and-back for me.

This is about the same height as the planes approaching the island (VDE airport is on the other side, on the south shore, maybe 100m above sea level).

Potable water - that came in handy!

I met an elderly German couple at the top, who spoke English, and kindly obliged my request for a few photos.  They also gave me a nice color map of Hierro, which I was going to look at in town later in the week.

Wikipedia - Miradors -  side roads that provide a viewpoint or vantage point.



Photos belong to Jaro Franta

Jaro is back in the Canary Islands #1

As my visa for Spain is still good for this winter, I am about a week earlier than originally intended because the flight ticket price happened to be lowest on Friday, October 20/17.  On the other hand, this was a two day trip, with one night in a hotel on Gran Canaria.

The plane fare was €391.49, but I also bought the exit row seat on two flights – the one from Halifax to Glasgow, and from Glasgow to Gran Canaria.  Remember, this is just a one-way ticket.   

I had to spend a night at Vicendario, Gran Canaria, to get the flight to Hierro next day.  That was the only flight where I had to pay extra for the bike. The hotel was €37, and the two taxi fares were extra.  Vicendario was quite interesting, by the way.....

The rent here at the Apartamentos Jucar is 36€/night and includes everything.  This was a special deal for long-term stay, but I had to pay up front for all 75 days (departing January 5/18 to Gran Canaria).  The welcome bottle of wine – nice touch!

Looking north from the balcony

 The apartment is very nice, modern and spacious. The location could not be better - three grocery stores within a short walking distance.

Somewhat like a hotel room with a kitchen - kitchen amenities are somewhat limited, as is often the case in places like this, with just two counter-top heaters, and no oven other than the microwave and a regular toaster (I asked for a toaster oven, and did get one).

Building management gave me this beautiful home-grown pineapple.  I kept it on display for a few days, but then ate it - it was so sweet!

Wikipedia - Hierro is the farthest south and west of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa.  At 268.71 square kms, it is the smallest of the seven main islands of the Canaries.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta