Anaga Mountains
The Anaga Mountains (Macizo de Anaga) in the northeast is Tenerife's wildest and oldest landscape area — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2015. Here, a piece of the Canary Islands' primeval landscape has been preserved, which exists nowhere else in the world: mist-covered laurel forests, razor-sharp mountain ridges, scattered mountain villages, and a biodiversity that delights biologists.
Hiking in Anaga
- Cruz del Carmen → Chinamada: Moderate hike (approx. 3h, 8 km) through dense Laurisilva laurel forest — a relic from the Tertiary period, which only exists in the Canaries, Madeira, and the Azores. The mist drifting through the moss-covered trees creates a mystical atmosphere. In Chinamada, people still live in cave dwellings.
- Punta del Hidalgo → Chinamada: Steep ascent (approx. 2.5h) from the coast into the mountains. Reward: spectacular views over the Atlantic and the neighboring islands.
- Chamorga → Playa de Roque Bermejo: Descent to Tenerife's most remote beach (3h one-way). The path leads through abandoned hamlets and ends at a wild pebble beach — solitude guaranteed.
- Sendero de los Sentidos: Short, barrier-free circular trail (1.5 km) in the laurel forest near Cruz del Carmen. Perfect for families and a first impression of Anaga.
Mountain Villages
- Taganana: The most picturesque village in Anaga — white houses in a green ravine, surrounded by terraced fields and palm trees. The church Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (1515) is one of the oldest on the island. Be sure to try the local wine in a bodega.
- Afur: Tiny village in a deep ravine, starting point for the hike to the wild Playa de Tamadite.
- El Bailadero: Mountain pass on the ridge of the Anaga Mountains with a fabulous view over both coasts.
Achtung
The Anaga Mountains are often shrouded in clouds, even when the sun is shining brightly in the south. Always bring a rain jacket and warm layers. The paths can be slippery. Mobile reception is often unavailable in the valleys — download the hiking routes offline beforehand.
