Anaga Rural Park
Ancient laurel forest, steep ravines, tiny villages and a dramatic Atlantic coast make Anaga one of Tenerife’s best contrasts to the southern resorts.
Anaga occupies Tenerife’s mountainous northeast, where ridges rise sharply above the Atlantic and humid trade winds support dense laurel forest. The landscape feels completely different from Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas: cooler, greener, steeper and much more rural.
The Anaga massif is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, but that does not mean the whole area is one single marked hiking attraction. It is a living rural landscape of forest, roads, hamlets, farms, viewpoints and beaches, crossed by many trails with different access conditions. The best visit depends on whether you want an easy viewpoint stop, a short forest walk, a village-and-coast drive or a serious hike.
Conditions also change. Storms between late 2025 and early 2026 damaged sections of Tenerife’s trail network, and the Cabildo began an 18-month programme of repairs in Anaga from June 2026. Check Tenerife ON for live trail status before setting out rather than assuming every route in an old guidebook is open.
The easiest first stop for most visitors
The Cruz del Carmen Visitor Centre, above La Laguna, is the most useful orientation point for a first Anaga visit. It has visitor information and access to short forest walks and viewpoints. The Cabildo currently lists the centre as open daily from 09:30, closing at 15:00 in July–September and 16:00 during the rest of the year, with closures on 25 December and 1 and 6 January. Exceptional changes are possible, so verify before making a special trip.
| If you want... | A sensible plan |
|---|---|
| A short first taste | Cruz del Carmen visitor centre, nearby forest/viewpoint walk, then return via La Laguna |
| Scenic driving | Continue through the ridge roads toward Taganana, stopping only where parking is legal and safe |
| Coast and villages | Combine Taganana/Almáciga with a coastal viewpoint or beach, allowing far more time than the distance suggests |
| A proper hike | Choose a named route on Tenerife ON, check current status/conditions, and match it to your fitness, daylight and transport plan |
Distance is a poor guide to journey time
Anaga’s roads are narrow, steep and full of bends. A route that looks short on a map can take a surprisingly long time, particularly once you add viewpoint stops, buses, cyclists and limited parking. Do not plan a packed day of distant stops simply because the kilometre total looks modest.
Traffic pressure is a real management issue. The Cabildo says Anaga receives roughly 1.5 million visits a year and has been actively encouraging greater use of public transport. In June 2026 it reported that annual bus use in the park had risen from about 300,000 trips in 2023 to more than 478,000 in 2025.
- ✓Avoid stopping on bends or blocking residents' access just to take a photo. Use signed parking and viewpoints.
- ✓If you are uncomfortable with narrow mountain roads, use buses or a guided excursion rather than forcing a stressful hire-car day.
- ✓Fuel, food and toilets are not available at every viewpoint. Treat Anaga as a rural mountain area, not a resort corridor.
- ✓Mobile reception can be inconsistent in ravines. Download route information before starting a hike.
Bring layers even when the south is sunny
Moist trade winds often create cloud and mist around the higher ridges. Temperatures can be noticeably lower than in the southern resorts, and shaded forest paths may remain damp. That is part of Anaga’s appeal, but it also means sandals and a beach-only outfit are a poor default for a walking day.
For hiking, carry water, a light rain layer, sun protection and footwear with grip. Check warnings after heavy rain or wind. If a trail is closed, turn back — closures are there because landslides, fallen trees and damaged surfaces can make apparently simple paths unsafe.
Beautiful does not always mean easy swimming
Benijo, Almáciga and other Anaga coast stops are visually spectacular, but Atlantic conditions on the north coast can be rough. Treat swimming separately from sightseeing: check local flags and sea conditions on the day, and never assume a photogenic beach is suitable for entering the water.
Anaga is home as well as scenery
- ✓Stay on marked paths and respect closures, farmland and private property.
- ✓Camping and bivouacking are not permitted in Anaga under current Canary Islands fire-prevention rules; the Montes de Anaga hostel is the official overnight alternative highlighted by the Biosphere Reserve.
- ✓Take rubbish out with you and avoid feeding wildlife.
- ✓Keep noise low around villages and trailheads; many of Anaga's settlements are small residential communities, not visitor facilities.
Do I need a permit to visit Anaga?
There is no single permit for simply entering the rural park, but individual trails or activities can have restrictions. Check your exact route on Tenerife ON before travelling.
Can I visit without a car?
Yes. Public buses serve parts of Anaga and their use has increased substantially. A bus-based plan also avoids parking pressure, but timetables need to be planned carefully for remote routes.
How long should I allow?
For Cruz del Carmen and a short walk, a few hours can work. For Taganana, coastal stops or a substantial hike, treat Anaga as a full-day outing.
Is Anaga always sunny?
No. The ridge is frequently cloudier, cooler and damper than Tenerife's south, even on the same day.
Official checks: use Tenerife ON for current trail/access status and the Cabildo visitor-centre page for Cruz del Carmen information before travelling.