Montaña Colorada
Natural Monument
Montaña Colorada (meaning Coloured Mountain), is a dome-shaped feature of great scenic interest and equally significant geological value. You will find a series of volcanic edifices there covered with vegetation that are both stunning and full of contrasts. These edifices are known as the Montaña de Las Mesas Natural Monument, Montaña Colorada and Montaña Rica.
The oldest crater is Lomo Simón, which is some 500,000 years old. Erosion has left it completely exposed. The area is rich in vegetation, especially Canarian pine trees, laurel-leaf cistus and asparagus plants. The elusive long-eared owl and the sparrow hawk are two of the few animal species here, together with pine wood insects.
Municipality: Granadilla de Abona and Vilaflor
Expanse: 515.3 hectares (1,273.3 acres)
How to get there:
You can get here from Granadilla de Abona or from Vilaflor. If you are coming from the town of Granadilla de Abona, take the Camino Cruz de San Antonio road and drive to Cruz de Tea. The road then becomes known as Camino del Buen Viaje, which ventures into and crosses the natural monument from the north-east. Another option is to get to Cruz de Tea and take the Camino de La Cumbrita road which joins up to the TF-21, bordering this natural protected area from the south-west.
If you are coming from the town of Vilaflor, take the TF-21 and drive downwards to Montaña Colorada. The natural monument lies roughly 3 km (1.9 miles) from the town.