El Burgado Viewpoint & Los Roques Beach

The stacks hold the eye first: dark columns of volcanic rock standing in the surf off Los Roques Beach, with white water working around their feet. From El Burgado the whole scene fits into one look — the cove below, the stacks, and the open Atlantic behind them.

The beach is closed to the public, so this ledge is where you see it. When a swell is running, the waves break against the rocks and throw spray into the air, and the sound carries up to the lookout.

A trail signpost at the viewpoint points on to Mirador de San Pedro, for anyone who wants to turn the stop into a walk.

• Los Roques Beach is closed to the public. The viewpoint is as close as you get.
• Of the two car parks nearby, the closer one is for customers only. Use the public one, about 270 m away in a straight line.
• There is no drinking water nearby, so bring your own.
• The nearest public toilets are about 670 m away in a straight line.

You arrive by bus or by car, and the last stretch is on foot. The Maritim bus stop sits about 250 m from the viewpoint in a straight line; the public car park is a little further, about 270 m. A nearer car park, about 210 m away, is for customers only.

At the viewpoint stand an information board with a map of El Burgado and a trail signpost to Mirador de San Pedro. Los Roques Beach, below, is closed to the public, so the walk ends at the lookout.

Best: late afternoon, on a day with some swell running. Avoid: grey days under low cloud.

This north-facing coast takes the Atlantic swell and often sits under trade-wind cloud: low western sun and white water breaking around the stacks give the view its shape, while flat grey light merges the dark rock into the cliffs behind.