Anaga hike – highlights of the rural Park

Anaga hike – loop trekking

Near Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located one of the best areas for hiking, Anaga Rural Park. Anaga is declared as Reserve of the Biosphere, housing a rich amount of endemic fauna and flora. Anaga hike shows the highlights of this magical part of Tenerife, the wildest and better preserved of all the island. Deep valleys and canyons reach to the natural beaches of the north coast of the Canarian island.

Cruz de las Carboneras – Afur – Barranco de Tamadite

After arriving by bus to Cruce de las Carboneras and walking 100m on the main road direction El Bailadero is found at the left, a path signal where it shows the way to Azur and Taborno. This path marked with yellow and white marks goes all the way down to Taborno, a small village where is possible to hike to Roque de Taborno, a short but very impressive hike posted in this site. From the village of Taborno there is the PR path, again marked with yellow and white marks, that leads to Afur showing the deep canyons with rivers and waterfalls flowing strongly all the way down to the sea. In Afur starts one of the most hiked routes that goes through Barranco de Tamadite.

Afur – Barranco de Tamadite – Taganana

From the parking place in Afur, starts the popular hike marked again with white and yellow marks that reach first the beach of Tamadiste and the Village of Taganana after 5km. The Barranco de Tamadite is one of the most accessible ones and most-hiked trails.

The path goes by the riverbed and during rainy days is not possible to do this hike because of floods. There are no bridges to cross the river and during rainy days this hike is not recommended because though the river can seem to be calm, the steep valleys make these rivers rise quickly and there are serious dangers of being trapped in the middle of the route. Before arriving at the beach the path crosses the river to the right and starts going up direction Taganana. The beach of Tamadiste is a very beautiful spot but can be dangerous due to strong currents existing in this part of the island.

From the beach is followed back the path until is found the trail that goes up to the east. This part of the trail is one of the most beautiful spots of the island passing above the cliffs and giving a spectacular view of Taganana and the incredible steep mountains typical of this region. The village of Taganana is very beautiful with a small market where can be found the basic products and a very old public fountain.

Taganana – Benijo – El Draguillo

From Taganana the hike follows the road until Benijo and though it can sound pretty disappointing it’s worth to walk near the ocean seeing how the waves crash the cliffs. There’s only one alternative marked in green in the map that solves the first km of road. In Benijo the road becomes a sand road and arrives until El Draguillo where is found a hiking signal indicating the path to Cruz del Draguillo. IF instead of taking the path that goes up, it’s taken the path that starts going down to the left will take you to Faro de Anaga following the indications of the path.

El Draguillo – Faro Anaga – Cruz del Draguillo

From Draguillo is taken the path that goes down to the left in the signpost where is shown the way up to Cruz del Draguillo. This part of the path goes up until it arrives at the next canyon where is following it until a few buildings called Las Palmas. Here is shown with a signal the way to the Lighthouse and the views are pretty amazing.

Once in the Lighthouse has to be taken the path that goes to Tafada (1.6km). The path starts going up and after 1,6km arrives at the ruins of some hoses (Casas de Tafada). Few meters ahead will be found a path to the right that goes back to El Draguillo but is not taken. 50 Meters ahead following the path to Chamorga has to be found a small path that goes up to the right and goes directly to Cruz del Draguillo instead of passing by Chamorga first. Once is taken this path, the shadow is guaranteed and incredible views as well!