Vallebron Viewpoint

The big rock straight ahead is Tindaya mountain (Montaña de Tindaya), the peak the Majos, Fuerteventura's first people, held sacred, and from here it rises alone out of the plain. Climb the stairs to the upper lookout and the view keeps going: past Tindaya, across the flat ground, to El Cotillo and the El Tostón lighthouse (Faro del Tostón) on the coast.

The hills around are bare volcanic slopes in browns and ochres, with almost nothing growing on them. Nothing stands between you and the horizon. Photos flatten it; the scale only lands in person.

• There are no toilets, no drinking water and no information point at the viewpoint, and none nearby. Bring water.
• The upper lookout is reached by stairs, so it is out of reach for wheelchairs; the car park itself already has a view.
• The hilltop is bare and exposed: no shade at midday, and wind across the top. Bring a layer and sun cover.

This is a viewpoint you drive to. An ordinary road twists up the hill to the lookout, and the car park sits about 20 m from it, so the first view comes the moment you get out. From there, stairs and a path of about 180 m lead to the upper lookout at the top; the climb is easy.

Without a car it is harder. The nearest bus stop is about 1.4 km away in a straight line, and the stop at Tindaya about 2.1 km.

Best: a clear morning, or sunset if you want Tindaya as a silhouette. Avoid: days of calima, when Saharan dust hangs over the island.

The view runs west towards Tindaya and the coast, so morning sun falls from behind you onto the mountain, while the evening sun sinks beyond it, and haze wipes out the far coast first.