The Island Government of La Palma has officially launched eight trails suitable for PRM and wheelchairs. Joëlettes, wheelchairs adapted for hiking, are available free of charge to both local inhabitants and visitors alike - meaning that no member of the family or friend needs to stay at home, or in his/her holiday accommodation, when other group members go hiking, or simply out for a walk.

To use the Joëlette, previous experience is required; half a day's practice is considered sufficient to acquire the basic technique. Given the technical features of the vehicle, almost all types of terrain can be negotiated. It is easier to walk along a path with a Joëlette, than it is to push a bicycle. The limitations lie not with the equipment, but rather in the technique and strength of the whole team. Services of specialised assistants/guides can be obtained if requested.

These are the 8 trails considered suitable for Joelette users:

Low Difficulty
- La Laguna de Barlovento I (total distance: 2,9 km -estimated time: 1.30 h)
-Centro de Visitantes de La Caldera to Pino de La Virgen (total distance: 4,5 Km -estimated time: 1.30 h)

Average Difficulty
-Llano del Jable, in El Paso (total distance: 5 km -estimated time:2 h)
-Izcagua, in Puntagorda (total distance:2,5 km -estimated time.1.30 h)
-Montaña de Las Varas, in Garafía (total distance: 6 km -estimated time: 2.30 h)
-Montaña El Caldero, among El Paso, Mazo and Breña Baja (total distance:9 km -estimated time: 3.30 h)

High Difficulty
- La Laguna de Barlovento II (total distance:9 km -estimated time: 2 h)
-Volcán Teneguía, en Fuencaliente (total distance: 6,5 km -estimated time:3.30 h).

La Palma is in the north west of the Canary Islands: together with Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura , La Gomera and El Hierro, it makes up a group of seven islands, under Spanish sovereignty. This group of islands is located about 100 kilometres off the African coast, out in the Atlantic Ocean. La Palma has a privileged environment, which is why UNESCO declared it a World Biosphere Reserve in November 2002. One National Park, 19 nature reserves (representing about 35% of its surface area), dozens of black sand beaches and breathtaking volcanic landscapes are only some of the island's assets. Its mild and stable climate throughout the year makes this island a year-round destination.

This 20 kilometres wide island offers more than 1,000 kilometres of approved and neatly signposted paths and trails which constituted the only way of communication not a long time ago. Most of these paved paths date from the time of the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the island, who lead their cattle along these paths from the winter pastures at the coast, to the summer pastures at the heights of La Palma.

To apply for the Joelette, contact either Ader or Cabildo.

Cabildo Insular de La Palma
Consejería de Infraestructura y Medio Ambiente
Avenida Marítima, nº 1
38700 Santa Cruz de La Palma. La Palma - Canarias.
Tel: 922 423 350
Email: florenzo@aderlapalma.org

ADER LA PALMA
C/. Plaza Pedro Pérez Díaz, s/n. 38730 Villa de Mazo. La Palma
Tel: +34 922.42.82.52 Fax: +34 922.42.84.76
E-mail: ader@aderlapalma.org
www.aderlapalma.org

Información turística sobre La Palma : www.tourlapalma.com

Rebecca Arce