Ancient forest above the clouds
Anaga mountains & Camino al Pico del Inglés
A primeval laurel forest where the clouds often drift through the trees.
In the far north-east of the island lies another world: the Anaga mountains, protected by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. Here grows a laurel forest like the one that covered all of southern Europe millions of years ago, mossy, dense, mysterious. When the northern trade wind pushes the clouds through the treetops, you feel as if in a fairy tale.
The Camino viejo al Pico del Inglés
The “English summit” is one of the finest viewpoints in the range, on a clear day you can see all the way to the Teide. The old path there leads through laurel trails so overgrown they form tunnels, where the light arrives filtered green. Many routes are laid out as loops and well marked; sturdy footwear and a rain jacket are almost always a good idea up here.
The sea of clouds
Anaga is the rainy, green side of Tenerife, the counterpart to the sunny south where the holiday home lies. The trade wind often banks up against the ridges, and you suddenly stand above a closed sea of clouds from which only the peaks rise. It is exactly this contrast that makes the day trip so rewarding.
Hidden villages and black beaches
Between the ridges hide tiny hamlets such as Chinamada, where some houses are still built into the rock, and on the north coast lie lonely coves of black sand. Allow time: the roads are winding, but that is exactly part of the charm.
Frequently asked questions
How demanding are the hikes in Anaga?
There is something for every level, from short loops at the El Bailadero visitor centre to long stages down to the coast. The paths are often damp and uneven, so take good footwear.
Why is Anaga greener than the south?
The north-east catches the moist trade-wind clouds. While Callao Salvaje is almost always sunny, the mist in Anaga creates the dense laurel forest. Experiencing both sides in one day is what makes Tenerife special.
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Your base camp for all of it
The house sits centrally in the sunny south-west — most destinations are less than an hour away.