La Pared Beach

The noise comes first. Atlantic waves hit the rocks with a boom that carries across the sand, loud enough to raise goosebumps.

Climb onto the rocks and the view opens along the coast, with white water breaking below and black sand between the outcrops. Barbary ground squirrels live in those rocks and show themselves to anyone who sits still for a while. The shore faces west, so in the evening the sun goes down over the sea.

Few people come here, and the beach often stays quiet. It is a place to watch the waves and take photographs; the water itself is mostly for looking at.

• At high tide the sea cuts off the way off the beach. Check tide times before you go onto the sand.
• The surf can be heavy, and swimming in it is dangerous.
• No showers, bars or toilets on the beach. Free toilets are about 395 m away.
• No drinking water near the beach — bring your own.
• The sand has no shade, so bring sun protection for the middle of the day.

La Pared Beach is a drive, and an ordinary rental car handles the road without trouble; there is no need for a 4x4.

There are two car parks. One sits next to the beach, about 193 m away; the other, a free gravel one, is about 395 m away, around five minutes on foot. From either, the rest of the way is on foot.

No bus stop lies close. The nearest is about 4,950 m away in a straight line, so without a car this is a long walk.

Best: around low tide, and in the late afternoon into sunset.

Avoid: a rising or high tide, and the middle of a summer day.

At high tide the sea closes the way off the beach, the west-facing shore takes the evening light across the water, and the bare sand offers no shade at midday.