SL® FV27 Vega de Río Palmas - Las Peñitas Dam

The SL-FV 27 begins its journey in the Vega de Río Palmas, which owes its name to the Norman conquerors who, on entering this place, were astonished by the large number of palm trees and the numerous water springs it boasted. We will start from the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, patron saint of the island. Cross the local FV-30 road to enter the Barranco de Río Palmas ravine, which we will cross for 500 m until we come to a bridge with several arches. Once here, we turn right to rejoin the road again and, heading southwest, we go through the houses below La Vega until we reach a crossroads that will lead us to the Las Peñitas dam, built during the first half of the 20th century. To do so, we will follow the course of the Río Palmas ravine, which reminds us of an oasis in the middle of an arid desert. The Canary Island palm trees (Phoenix canariensis) and the tarajales (amarix canariensis) will be the main protagonists along the route, although we will also find verodes (Kleinia neriifolia), wild tabaibas (Euphorbia regis-jubae) and typical riverside vegetation consisting mainly of reeds (Arundo donax) and reeds (Phragmites australis). The development of this vegetation and the presence, on occasions, of water facilitates the arrival of numerous birds to this place. These include the common coot (Fulica atra) and the water cock (Gallinula chloropus). We then enter the Barranco de las Peñitas ravine on the right bank of the dam, which will lead us to the end of the local path. Although our route ends here, beyond the dam we can visit the Ermita de la virgen de la Peña, a small white chapel where, according to legend, the patron saint of the island appeared.