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