Location and surroundings
Malpaso belongs to El Hierro, within Mid Atlantic Islands > Macaronesia > Canary Islands > El Hierro. It is in Spain, in the Canary Islands region, and administratively in the municipality of Frontera, district of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. At 1,501 m, it is the highest of the 117 named peaks on El Hierro and the island’s high point.
The mountain sits in the central part of the island above the volcanic terrain of the interior. Around the summit are picnic ground, shelters, water points and access tracks, with the slopes shaped by lava fields, lapilli and volcanic soils. The setting is open and exposed rather than alpine, but the height still brings cooler air, cloud at times and strong sun on clear days.
Neighbouring peaks
- Tenerista — 1,417 m, 3.0 km E
- Tanganasoga — 1,384 m, 1.9 km W
- Montana de los Asomadas — 1,371 m, 6.1 km E
- Tajusara — 1,285 m, 5.0 km W
- Montana de Afosa — 1,232 m, 7.8 km NE
- Montana del Jablito — 1,176 m, 10.0 km NE
- Monte San Salvador — 640 m, 87.0 km NE
- Garajonay — 1,483 m, 88.6 km NE
- Alta Garaona — 1,102 m, 89.4 km NE
- Montaña de Fuego — 1,249 m, 90.1 km N
Among these, Tanganasoga is the closest high neighbour, while Tenerista is the nearest of the higher summits within 25 km. Malpaso is higher than all the nearby peaks listed here, and its prominence makes it the dominant summit on the island.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest summits are Tenerista to the east, Tanganasoga to the west, Montana de los Asomadas to the east, Tajusara to the west, Montana de Afosa to the north-east and Montana del Jablito to the north-east. These are the main nearby high points that shape the skyline around Malpaso.
On clear days, the summit can also give wider island views across El Hierro and, from the highest parts of the island, toward the Canary Islands beyond. The open top and central position make it a useful viewpoint over the volcanic interior and the ridges that fall away toward the coast.
The range
Malpaso is the highest point of El Hierro, which is the narrowest part of its range hierarchy and the island it dominates. The wider range context is Mid Atlantic Islands > Macaronesia > Canary Islands > El Hierro. In this setting, Malpaso ranks first by elevation on the island and is the reference summit for the whole range.
The island’s highest point is Malpaso itself, so there is no higher summit on El Hierro. The mountain therefore serves as the topographic centre of the island’s high ground, with the surrounding peaks forming a lower volcanic ring and interior ridges.
Climbing routes
The marked hiking route listed for the summit area is Camino de la Virgen. The summit area also has a viewpoint, so the top is used both by walkers and by visitors arriving from the island road network.
For a straightforward ascent, the usual approach is to follow the signed route and local tracks from the interior of the island. Conditions are generally simple in dry weather, but the volcanic ground can be loose in places and the open slopes offer little shelter from wind or sun.
Access and starting points
Nearby settlements include Tigaday 3.7 km to the north-east, Frontera 4.0 km to the north-east, and Mirador de la Llanía 4.4 km to the east. There are six car parks within 2 km of the summit, with the nearest 20 m south of the top. A marked route, Camino de la Virgen, runs over or next to the summit.
OpenStreetMap also shows a picnic site, Hoya del Pino, 830 m north of the summit, a drinking-water point at Fuentes de Cruz de los Reyes (nuevo) 1.6 km east, a shelter 1.4 km south-west, and four communication masts within 10 km, the nearest 40 m south. The summit is therefore easy to reach from the island’s interior roads and tracks.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data. At the summit, the warmest month is September at about 16 °C, and the coldest is April at about 12 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 200 mm, with the wettest month in November at about 35 mm and the driest in July at about 0 mm.
The main weather hazards are strong sun, wind on the exposed crest, sudden cloud, and occasional slippery ground after rain. Even in a mild climate, the summit can feel much cooler than the coast, especially in the morning, after sunset, or when trade-wind cloud reaches the high ground.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays above freezing all year, Malpaso can be visited in any season. The drier period is usually the summer half of the year, while late autumn brings the highest rainfall. For walking, the most comfortable conditions are often in the cooler months of the dry season, when heat and glare are lower and the tracks are less likely to be muddy.
In warmer months, early starts are sensible because the open slopes offer little shade. In cloudier periods, visibility can change quickly, so it is worth carrying a map or offline navigation even on a short outing.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes of Malpaso carry volcanic scrub and higher-elevation plant communities typical of El Hierro. Reported species include ajinajo, wild Herreño thyme, and on the northern slopes, cloud-fed shrubland with Canary Islands juniper, faya and heather. The area also has Bencomia sphaerocarpa, a threatened plant, and the island’s endangered El Hierro giant lizard is an important animal of conservation interest.
The terrain is a mix of lava, lapilli and volcanic soils, so vegetation is patchy and adapted to dryness and wind. In the higher and damper parts, the plant cover becomes denser where cloud moisture reaches the slopes.
Guides and organised ascents
For a summit like Malpaso, a certified guide is usually not essential for fit walkers on the normal routes, but it can be useful for visitors who want local route-finding help, a safer pace, or support in poor visibility. In Spain, the national guide association is the Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM), which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national federation is FEDME. One established guiding company working in the mountains of Spain is Spanish Highs in Granada (Sierra Nevada).
Guided outings in Spain usually include route planning, timing, and safety management, and the price depends on the length of the day, group size, and whether extra equipment or transport is needed. For Malpaso, visitors often start by asking local tourist offices or mountain professionals on El Hierro for current route and weather advice.
Safety and preparation
Malpaso is not a high alpine summit, but the height, open terrain and volcanic ground still call for basic mountain preparation. Carry water, sun protection, a wind layer and footwear with good grip. The summit area can be exposed, and the combination of heat, cloud and uneven ground can make a short walk feel longer than expected.
For mountain rescue in Spain, the emergency number is 112. It is the single emergency number and dispatches mountain rescue. Download maps before setting out, because reception can vary with terrain even where masts are nearby.
History and name
The mountain is also called Alto de Malpaso or simply Malpaso. A local explanation for the name links it to a mishap during a descent of the Virgin of the Kings in the late 18th century, when a bearer made a bad step and nearly dropped the image. The name Tinganar is also used in modern popular writing as an aboriginal name for the mountain, although historical and toponymic studies do not confirm it.
The summit area has a viewpoint, and the mountain has long been part of the island’s central route network and local landscape. Its name and position make it one of the best-known landmarks on El Hierro.
Interesting facts
Malpaso is the highest of the 117 named peaks on El Hierro, with a prominence of 1,501 m. It is the island’s high point, so there is no higher summit on the same island. The nearest higher peak listed is Volcan de Martin, 1,591 m, about 92.0 km to the north.
The summit also sits on the border area between the municipalities of Frontera and El Pinar de El Hierro in the broader island description, and it is one of the clearest examples of a volcanic high point dominating a small oceanic island.
FAQ
How high is Malpaso? Malpaso rises to 1,501 m.
Where is Malpaso? It is on El Hierro in the Canary Islands of Spain, in the municipality of Frontera.
Is Malpaso the highest mountain in El Hierro? Yes. It is the highest point of El Hierro and the highest of the island’s named peaks.
What peaks are closest to Malpaso? The nearest listed high neighbours are Tanganasoga 1.9 km west and Tenerista 3.0 km east.
Is there water on the way to Malpaso? Yes, Fuentes de Cruz de los Reyes (nuevo) is a drinking-water point 1.6 km east of the summit. Even so, carry about 1.5-3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Malpaso? A shelter is mapped 1.4 km south-west of the summit. Hoya del Pino is a picnic site 830 m north.
How long does it take to walk up Malpaso from Tigaday? From Tigaday, the rough walking time is about 2.5-3.5 hours for an estimated 4.8 km on foot and 1,230 m of ascent. The real path may be longer.
Is mobile phone coverage likely on Malpaso? Four communication masts are mapped within 10 km, the nearest 40 m south. On an open summit, a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.