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What to see in Marylebone Village
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Culture
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The Anaga Rural Park is an imposing mountain range in one of the oldest geological areas of the Canary Islands, where the landscape changes completely. Here, the drier areas of the south disappear and are replaced by mountains covered in vegetation, winding roads, laurel forests, and small hamlets hidden among ravines.
It is one of the most picturesque and iconic places to see in Tenerife on the island. Located at its northeastern tip, this protected space was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO thanks to its immense ecological value. It is, without a doubt, one of the most authentic, green, and peaceful corners of Tenerife.
As it is one of the best destinations in the Canary Islands for hiking, the best way to visit is at a leisurely pace. I advise you to set aside a full day of your trip to explore the area calmly, stop at its viewpoints, and immerse yourself in the landscape at your own rhythm.
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By Lucía Muñoz
All-terrain writer specialising in tourism, fashion and trends. A curious soul, traveller, reader and sports enthusiast, keen to discover every corner of the world.
Adventure
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What truly makes the Anaga Rural Park a unique jewel in the world is that it houses one of the best-preserved laurel forests on the planet. This humid, subtropical forest is a genuine living fossil, as this type of vegetation covered large areas of the Mediterranean basin millions of years ago, during the Tertiary period, and managed to survive in this corner of the Atlantic thanks to the action of the trade winds. By pushing the clouds against the summits, they generate the well-known "horizontal rain," which provides constant humidity to the ecosystem and fosters the extraordinary biodiversity of Anaga, which is also considered the place with the highest concentration of endemic species per square kilometre in Europe.
The Sendero de los Sentidos (Path of the Senses) is one of the most famous routes in the park. It starts from Cruz del Carmen, runs along wooden walkways, and offers different interactive stations for you to connect with the forest through touch, hearing, and smell.
Located within the El Pijaral Integral Nature Reserve, for me, the Enchanted Forest is the most special corner of the massif. A special permit is required to access it, but walking surrounded by giant ferns, thick moss, and twisted trunks that cover the sky is quite an experience.
And I cannot forget the impressive viewpoints you will find along the road, such as the Mirador de Jardina or the Mirador de Cruz del Carmen, from where you will have brutal panoramic views of the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, with Mount Teide in the background and the green valleys that descend towards the coast.
From experience, having a clear idea of the location of Anaga Rural Park is essential for planning your itinerary there, as the orography of the massif is full of steep slopes, narrow secondary roads, and detours that require careful driving.
This imposing massif covers territory in three different municipalities: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and Tegueste. Its spectacular terrain extends from wild black sand coves at sea level to forested peaks that exceed one thousand metres in altitude. When setting your GPS, the main access reference is the Carretera de las Mercedes to Taganana (TF-12).
📍 Carretera de las Mercedes a Taganana, Km 6, 38294 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
There are also some bus lines that connect certain areas of the park if you prefer to avoid the curves behind the wheel. Another option is to book one of the guided excursions in Anaga Rural Park, especially with the aim of doing a hiking route without having to worry about transport.
The parking at Anaga Rural Park depends quite a lot on the specific area you want to visit. There are small car parks enabled at some viewpoints and trailheads, although they tend to fill up quickly during weekends and high season.
It is highly recommended to arrive early, especially if you want to do any of the most well-known routes. In certain areas, spaces are quite limited and many roads are narrow, so drive with all five senses on alert.
📍 To be able to see all the key points and not miss any, you can consult the map of Anaga Rural Park before leaving your accommodation.
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The park is open 24 hours a day all year round. For its part, the Cruz del Carmen Visitor Centre is open from 9:30am to 4:00pm from October to June, while in summer (July, August, and September) the hours are reduced from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Also, keep in mind that it closes on the main Christmas days (24, 25, and 31 December, 1 and 6 January). There you can get physical maps or resolve any doubts before you start walking.
General admission to the park and the vast majority of its trails is completely free. The only section that requires mandatory prior booking on the official website is the El Pijaral trail (The Enchanted Forest) due to the extreme fragility of its flora. This permit is completely free, but daily places are very limited and sell out quickly.
By spending some time looking for reviews of Anaga Rural Park, you will see that the vast majority agree on describing this massif as a "magical," "mystical" place and a "haven of absolute peace." One of the most highlighted aspects is the climatic contrast of the area and how comforting it is to walk under the shade of the laurel forest listening to the song of the Bolle's pigeons in an almost sacred silence.
To enjoy this prehistoric forest to the fullest, it is essential to be well-equipped with the appropriate technical clothing. Although you may enjoy splendid beach sun on the island's coast, the microclimate of Anaga is noted for its cool temperatures and constant humidity of around 90 percent, so do not forget to carry a raincoat or a waterproof windbreaker in your backpack. In addition, I recommend wearing long trousers to protect yourself from the low vegetation.
It is essential that you wear mountain boots or hiking shoes with good grip. The horizontal rain constantly dampens the ground and the paths can become very slippery.
Another key aspect you should consider is that, as it is a protected natural site, you will not find shops, kiosks, or drinking water fountains inside the forest, so you must ensure you carry at least a litre and a half of water per person, and some food.
The strategic location of Anaga Rural Park, at the northeastern tip of Tenerife, means you have many places to visit after finishing your excursion through the laurel forest.
Located in the picturesque fishing village of San Andrés, right at the foot of the last foothills of the massif, is this famous golden sand beach brought from the Sahara and full of palm trees. Its calm waters, thanks to an artificial breakwater, make it the ideal place to take a dip and stretch your legs after an intense day of hiking.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, San Cristóbal de La Laguna is located right at the base of the main road that climbs towards the Las Mercedes forests. Strolling through the pedestrian streets of its historic centre is an unbeatable plan to round off the day.
If you are looking for a more natural contact with the sea, head towards the north coast. In the towns of Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo, which belong to the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, you will find some fantastic saltwater pools protected from the strong waves of the north, ideal for safely watching how the imposing Atlantic waves break against the stone dike while you enjoy a swim at sunset that you will surely not forget.
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