Mountainbiking-Tip: Arenas Negras – El Lagar – Arenas Negras

The majority of the route passes through Canarian pine trees and from there one can enjoy spectacular views to the north of the island. The tracks on most of the routes are in perfect condition. The layout is practically level with descents although there are some small slopes. After having walked 4.5 kilometers, continue to a small water canal using a track, which is well maintained and in good condition until practically arriving to the El Lagar, which is a recreational area.
From here there is a fabulous view of El Teide. From this point l take another good track and head towards San Jose de Los Llanos, which will bring us back to our set off point.

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Mountainbiking-Tip: Las Calderetas – Pino Alto – Las Calderetas

This route traces a circle from the Las Calderetas Recreational Area, in the district of El Sauzal in the north-east of Tenerife, and runs through the mountains above La Matanza, La Victoria and Santa Úrsula. A large part of the route is within either the laurel woodland or the pine forest. Over the first few kilometres the route rises, however as this is a combination of gentle slopes and flat tracks the difficulty is not great.

At kilometer 3.5, you reach the El Rayo track, which is in perfect condition and maintains its height above sea level although with some rises and falls as it crosses the ravines. From kilometer 15.5 onwards, there is a more pronounced rise and the track is in places rather stony. This roughly three-kilometer-long slope is the toughest part of the trip. From the Los Asientos crossroads, the track continues to rise although more gently. After the La Matanza municipal district, the continuous descent begins which takes us to the end of the route just where it began.

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Mountainbiking-Tip: Lomo La Jara – Las Raíces – Lomo La Jara

This circular route is part of the recreational area Lomo La Jara in Tacoronte, which runs by the towns of La Esperanza, Tacoronte, El Sauzal and La Matanza. On this itinerary one can contemplate beautiful panoramic views of Santa Cruz, La Laguna, El Teide and the Orotava Valley. A great part of the distance covered passes through silver birch and Canary pine trees forest. The first 5 kilometres start an uphill climb. From the 6.5 kilometres take a track, which is in good, condition and practically flat which goes to La Esperanza road.

Walking up hill for 1 kilometre on this road, you reach a track found on the left and follow it for 2.500 metres. It is wide and in relatively good condition. From this point you will deviate on the route towards Las Lagunetas. This is a constant up hill hike of almost 5 kilometres where there is a lot of uneven ground. Past this point, the route is practically even and downhill with some small exceptions but with not too many dips or uneven ground.

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Footpath-Tipp: Anaga Forest Park-Cabezo del Tejo

You set off from the Anaga Forest Park towards Roque de Chinobre, a pleasant walk through laurel forests with magnificent views of the Anaga mountain range and Roque de Chinobre. You then carry on past the foot of Roque Anabro and on towards Cabezo del Tejo, which forms a natural balcony 800 m. above sea level. You can return along the forestry track through Hoya de los Toneleros, Ujuana and the Chamuscada look out. The walk takes about two hours.

There is an alternative route, starting out from the Anaga Forest Park, up to Chinobre and then straight down to Las Chamuscadas, Las Chamuscadas look out and back to the Forest Park. The alternative route takes about one hour.

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Footpath-Tipp: La Montañeta – Arenas Negras

The trail starts at the church of San Francisco de La Montañeta, from where you follow the road up to the forestry hut. Opposite the forestry hut, you take a path that leads 300 metres above the road. Once you are back on the black top, you follow the road until you see the sign that says “Arenas Negras”.

There is a bus stop next to the sign. From here, you take the dirt track that climbs from the road. Follow it for about 2 kilometres without turning off. It is best to make this climb during the cooler times of the day, in order to avoid the heat and too much sun.

After climbing for about 45 minutes, you will reach the recreational area of Arenas Negras, equipped with taps, grills, tables and a camping area.

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Footpath-Tipp: Chinamada to Punta del Hidalgo

Chinamada is an old aboriginal village with about 30 well-preserved cave-houses of great ethnographic interest which are still lived in today. The footpath begins from the left of the recently built Chinamada Chapel and is signposted “La Punta del Hidalgo:” it runs along a steep ravine called “barranco del Tomadero.”

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The route goes through some terraced fields, where potatoes and pumpkins are grown, and then continues through an area of land that rises in steps going past rocks, boulders and caves. In this area you can find some deeper caves that are commonly used to rest or shelter in. In the final third of the route you reach the Roque de Los Dos Hermanos (the Two Brothers’ Rock), above La Fajana Beach, from where you can enjoy some excellent panoramic views of the Anaga coastline.

From this point the path begins a steep zigzag descent down the south side of the rock towards the Rio Ravine. Finally, you can make your way to the Punta del Hidalgo following a footpath that climbs upwards.

Stargazing

The skies of Tenerife are extraordinarily clear and for this reason the island has an international Astrophysics Institute with various observatories and telescopes. It is not only the scientists that come from all over the world that can enjoy these exceptional conditions for stargazing. You too can enjoy this activity during your holiday by taking one of the many organised excursions.

The best conditions for stargazing are in the Teide National Park where the observatories are located. For amateurs, the traditional places for stargazing are on top of Montaña Guajara or around the Parador de Turismos.

From these areas you can enjoy the clear skies with a small telescope or a good pair of binoculars on a tripod. On certain days large numbers of amateurs gather to observe showers of shooting stars, such as the yearly Perseid or Leonid meteor showers.

However the Tenerife sky gives a spectacular and unique show almost every night of the year.

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Extraordinary Places

Even the most devoted visitor to Tenerife can make an exciting discovery by going a few kilometres away from the typical tourist routes. Off the beaten track one can expect to find deserted, volcanic beaches of great beauty, leafy jungle-like forests with millions of years of life or cobbled streets lined with old colonial houses. Getting to these places is easy, in Tenerife distances are short and moving around the island, by car or bus is simple.

So, why not have an exciting adventure to get to know the friendly nature of the local people, their hospitality and distinctive way of speaking – a mixture of mainland Spanish with the musical accent of South America. Your discovery may be a local family restaurant, also called a “guachinche” or one of many cafés where locals have their morning “barraquito” (coffee with normal and condensed milk and a drop of liqueur). You may also stumble across one of the many cultural events in Tenerife, where local and international artists often perform together.

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Visiting Tenerife Museums

Tenerife’s museums give an interesting and enjoyable picture of the history, nature and culture of the island and of the world, spending just a few hours visiting some of them will be more than worthwhile. The majority are modern, informative museums aimed at the public in general. Families will especially enjoy the fun, interactive exhibits in the Museum of Science and Cosmos in La Laguna.

There are also some fascinating exhibits dedicated to the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands, the “guanches”, in the Museum of Nature and Mankind in Santa Cruz de Tenerife which will interest young and old alike. In general, most museums are closed on Mondays.

The Archaeological Museum of Puerto de la Cruz, in the tourist resort of Puerto de la Cruz, is also dedicated to the life and customs of the “guanches.” There is also a museum which focuses on the long and productive winemaking tradition of Tenerife or another on the exciting history of the island. The former is in the district of El Sauzal where it takes up a large part of the “Casa del Vino” (House of Wine). The other part is used for wine-tasting, sampling Canarian cuisine and a highly-recommended restaurant. The annex to the Visitors’ Centre, “Casa de la Miel” (House of Honey) gives information on the past and present tradition of beekeeping on the island. Then there is the very interesting Museum of the History of Tenerife, located in an old stately home in the historic centre of La Laguna, a city recently declared a World Heritage Site.

Crafts and local customs are the main attractions of various other museums in Tenerife, for example the Museum of Anthropology in Valle de Guerra, in the district of La Laguna or a collection of Latin American craftwork in La Orotava, with artefacts from South America and the Philippines. Art and Military History are other topics covered by Tenerife’s museums. The Arts will soon be greatly improved thanks to the forthcoming inauguration of the Oscar Dominguez Institute of Contemporary Art, located in a magnificent nine-storey building in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, designed by the architects Herzog and De Meuron.

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Tenerife Shopping

Tenerife has always had a great commercial tradition. There are a huge variety of shops in the main shopping areas of the cities and tourist resorts that will ensure you have a great time on any shopping trip. There are famous brand names and competitive prices thanks to the special fiscal system in the Canary Islands that doesn’t include VAT.

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In the tourist resorts shops open every day, including Sundays and Bank Holidays and have long opening hours. In Santa Cruz, La Laguna and non-tourist areas shops are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays, except in December.

Tenerife’s crafts make the perfect gift or souvenir. In craft shops you can find a whole range of meticulously made items by the artisans of the island. Embroidery, Canarian knives, woodwork, basketwork and pottery are just some examples of the great craftwork available. The “Cabildo de Tenerife,” (Government of Tenerife) has developed a network of craft shops that sell authentic pieces stamped with “Artenerife” to guarantee their origin. However there are also many other shops where you can buy authentic Canarian craftwork.