Taking the high road

'Aren't the roads good!' is a comment made by many guests. Well, yes they certainly are ... but they weren't always like that.
This section of the LP1, which is the main road running right round La Palma, is near Llano Negro, Garafia, and is particularly wide and straight.  Most of it the roads on La Palma are substantially narrower and twistier than this - however the lack of traffic is completely normal!
The 'original' LP1 in the north is the road that runs straight on in Barlovento and, after squeezing through three narrow tunnels and some pretty impressive scenery, arrives at La Cruce some 35 minutes later. Goatherds are a common sight.

 It is one of the most beautiful drives on La Palma and a 'must do.'  If nothing else, you should drive through the tunnels which were dug with hand tools, just wide enough for the little old bus to get through.  Because it really is the 'high road' it can sometimes be in cloud, so make sure you have a clear day for your trip because, whilst it has its own appeal driving in ethereal clouds, you will miss the spectacular views.

 However, while it was a huge improvement, the road did not go anywhere near Franceses.  Our neighbour told us that  people used to have to make the one-hour walk up to this road to catch the bus - now it runs through the village.

You can still find some stretches of the road previous to that.  There is one we often take visitors on, just behind La Mata.

 Or there is one just by a house next to the petrol station of San Antonio.  It is good to walk on foot or drive in a 4 x 4, but not suitable for cars (hire cars are not insured for off-road tracks).  No wonder that it used to take 4 hours or more to drive to the capital.