Pico de la Zarza

From the top, the Jandía peninsula splits in two: Morro Jable and the south coast on one side, the long sweep of Cofete beach (Playa de Cofete) far below on the other.

The climb runs up the bare southern slope, where low scrub of joraos and aulaga takes the sun and the trade wind never reaches. At the summit the ground changes. The damper north-facing slopes hold the only dry laurel forest on Fuerteventura, reduced to scattered laurel, tree heath, mocán and paloblanco, and the cliffs towards Pico del Mocán shelter island endemics such as the Jandía tajinaste. Even the name belongs to that side: zarza is the bramble, which on Fuerteventura grows only on these summits.

• Carry plenty of water, at least 1.5 litres per adult. There is no drinking water and no toilet at the summit.
• Wear proper walking shoes: the path is gravel all the way, and the last kilometre is steep.
• Cloud blown in from the ocean can sit on the summit and take the view with it. Check the sky before you commit to the climb.
• The trail belongs to the Cabildo's signed network, but markings on the ground are not clear everywhere. Have the route on your phone.

The trail to the summit starts on the south coast, in the Solana Matorral district at the eastern end of Morro Jable. Coming along the FV-2 from Costa Calma, turn right at the roundabout with the monument at the entrance to Solana Matorral and leave the car on the residential streets above it, such as Calle de Quijote. From there the signed path, the PR-FV 54, climbs inland towards the ridge.

The start lies within the town, so it can also be reached on the buses that run along the FV-2 to Morro Jable.

Best: a clear morning, starting early.

Avoid: days when cloud hangs on the ridge, and the middle of a hot day.

The view is the reason to climb, and fog from the ocean wipes it out and turns the top muddy. The southern slope is bare and open to the sun, with no shade on the way up, so an early start keeps the steep final kilometre out of the midday heat.