[2025 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Attraction] Travel Guide for Anaga Rural Park (Updated Jul)

We adored the scenery. Arrived to Cruz d. Carmen, visited the information center with a very helpful employee giving us many tips and started the hike around - did the Sentiero hike which is fairly short but can be demanding as the path can be slippery and steep. The air and humidity is incredible, coming here after desert environment of Montaña Blanca was incredibly refreshing. Had a lunch (12 euros for bread, soup, main course, desert and wine/water) in a restaurant opposite the parking lots. The road to the park is not for the faint of hearts, it is very wet, narrow and has many curves. #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

The scenery from Anaga rural park really is breathtaking and such a surprise. I didn’t realise there was so much greenery on Tenerife - and that’s the thing, Tenerife is so much more than the arid landscape that so many people imagine it to be. There’s many trails and hikes that can be done here, but we opted for sendero de los sentidos or trail of the senses in English. It’s an easy hike but the views that you’ll be treated to are no less impressive. This is the cruz del Carmen viewpoint. You’ll also be able to see the city of La Laguna from this vantage point. And it’s a good place to stop by, as there’s often a flea market set up here alongside the restaurant on the site of the visitor centre. #canaryislands #tenerife #spain #Anaga #anagaruralpark #travel #holiday #vacation

Step into a world where ancient laurel forests, misty ridges, and deep ravines meet the Atlantic. Parque Rural de Anaga is Tenerife’s wild, green heart, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its prehistoric forests, charming mountain hamlets, and jaw-dropping coastal views. It’s the place to swap sun loungers for hiking boots — and discover a side of the Canary Islands that feels like a fairytale. ⸻ 📸 Visual Highlights • Laurel Forests: Moss-draped trees and foggy trails that look straight out of a fantasy movie. • Miradores (Viewpoints): Roque de las Bodegas, Pico del Inglés, or Cruz del Carmen — coastal cliffs and deep gorges as far as you can see. • Tiny Villages: Picturesque hamlets like Taganana and Chinamada, with stone houses and breathtaking settings. • Wild Beaches: Dramatic black-sand beaches like Playa de Benijo — raw, rugged, and stunning. ⸻ 🧭 What to Do • Hike the Ancient Trails: 🥾 Follow caminos reales (old royal paths) through forests, ridges, and valleys. • Visit Taganana Village: 🍷 Taste local wine and fresh fish in a village frozen in time. • Hit the Wild Beaches: 🌊 Playa de Benijo is famous for sunsets, waves, and dramatic rock stacks. • Stop at Miradores: 📸 The viewpoints are legendary — pack your camera! ⸻ 📝 Insider Tips • Bring Layers: ☁️ Anaga is often cool and misty, even when Tenerife’s beaches are sunny. • Wear Proper Shoes: 👟 Trails can be muddy and steep — sturdy hiking shoes are a must. • Go Early: 🕗 Parking near popular trailheads like Cruz del Carmen fills up quickly. • Try Local Food: 🧀 Don’t miss goat cheese, mojo sauce, and rustic mountain dishes at village taverns. ⸻ 🌟 Why It’s Special Parque Rural de Anaga is where Tenerife reveals its most ancient soul — a primeval forest shaped by trade winds and time. Here, you’ll find endless hiking trails, secret beaches, and villages that feel untouched by the modern world. Hike through a misty tunnel of laurel trees, then stand on a cliff looking out at the wild Atlantic — few places make you feel this alive. 🌿✨ ⸻ #AnagaRuralPark #Tenerife #TripMoments #CanaryIslands #HikingParadise #GreenEscape #canaryislands

#cityplaybook Start in Anaga Rural Park with a forest walk through the magical laurisilva trails—like stepping into a green dream. After your hike, head to Taganana and reward yourself with fried fish and papas arrugadas by the beach. Spend the afternoon at Playa de Benijo, watching waves crash against volcanic rocks. On your way back, stop in La Laguna for a colorful, cobbled stroll and a relaxed dinner. Green, wild, and soul-refreshing.

The World Heritage Biosphere Reserve Marchizo de Anaga Country Park, located on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain, has magnificent landscapes of ancient forests and steep ravines. This is a mountainous area formed by volcanic eruptions 7 to 9 million years ago. It is Tenerife’s best-preserved treasure and the area with the largest number of endemic species in Europe. The Marchizo de Anaga Mountains and their valleys are covered with a subtropical laurel forest, which typically grows in areas of high humidity and mild temperatures. The trees are mostly evergreen with long, glossy leaves. There are also abundant mosses, lichens and lianas here, and it is also a haven for birds and butterflies. The main villages in the mountain are San Andrés, Taganana and Eagles Edge. The church in Taganana is one of the oldest in Tenerife and offers direct access to the Atlantic beach. The picture only shows the coastal part, as it is impossible to stop and take pictures while driving through the forest road. If you have enough time, hiking is the best way to see the sights. Because I was exploring on my own, I didn't set aside enough time for this area, but it is definitely one of the most worthwhile areas to explore in Gran Canaria. #OverseasTravel #Atlantic #SpainTravel #IslandHoliday #IslandStyle #staycation #spaintravel #canarias