Fortaleza de Chipude

La Fortaleza (de Chipude) is a prominent table mountain on La Gomera. It forms the core of a nature reserve and is designated as a protected cultural asset because of its building remains from pre-Hispanic times.

The mountain lies in the southwest of the central plateau, about three kilometers west of the Alto de Garajonay, the highest peak on the island at 1,485 meters above sea level.

The mountain is a cryptodome that was formed during La Gomera's most recent volcanic phase around 4.36 million years ago. The magma did not reach the surface but solidified into phonolite in the volcanic vent. Due to its greater resistance to weathering, it withstood millions of years of erosion better than the surrounding rock layers.

Today the mountain slopes almost vertically in all directions. The only access to the 300-meter-long and up to 200-meter-wide plateau is on its north side.Read more