Most tourists staying in Puerto de la Cruz will be attracted to the nearby towns of La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Masca, where there is plenty to see in terms of spectacular views and historic charm. Lesser known excursions will, however, take you through beautiful countryside and provide an opportunity to visit areas that are not often included in guided tours.

This week, our suggested trip is eminently rural and does not include visits to historical buildings. You will pass through one of the island’s major wine-making regions, enter a fertile valley where a large proportion of Tenerife’s horticultural industry is concentrated, then move on to an unbelievably green and dense forest to emerge, a few kilometres further on, to a village that sprawls on both sides of a breathtakingly beautiful ravine. Lastly, you will visit the only long sandy beach on the north east coast of the island.

Depending on how many stops you make along the way, the trip will last from between five and eight hours but, although you return to your hotel tired from the drive, we hope you feel it has been worthwhile.

From Puerto de la Cruz, follow the TF-5 dual carriageway for about 15 kilometres in the direction of Santa Cruz until you reach exit 11 leading to Tacoronte. You will find yourself on the C-820 road and almost immediately you will come to a cross road, where you should take a right turn and follow the local road which leads you into the town in a matter of a minute or so. There are several historically interesting buildings but not for visiting today. Tacoronte is one of the few boroughs in Tenerife that has maintained a balance between urban development and agriculture, mainly vineyards catering to the forty or so wineries established in the area.

Continue on the TF-122 tree-lined road in the direction of Tejina, which takes you through some pretty scenery especially as you approach Valle Guerra. This valley, winding down gently to the sea, is rich agricultural land and plantations abound. Fruit and vegetables are grown here although the emphasis is on flowers, a growing industry in Tenerife as elsewhere in the Canaries. Birds of Paradise, roses, carnations, tropical plants... cut flowers and indoor plants are exported all year round to continental Spain and to England, France and Holland to mention just a few of the foreign markets.

Once you arrive at Valle Guerra you can either continue on the TF-122 road or you can make a detour and take the TF-1221 local road to El Pris, an enchanting small fishing village on the coast and a good place to stop for a cold Dorada beer and tapas. Return by the same road (there is no other option, but it is a mere three kilometres) and head up to Tejina. During the drive, don’t fail to look to the left where you will be rewarded with a wonderful view of the northern face of the Teide on clear days.

As you enter the town, keep an eye out for the signpost to La Laguna where you leave the TF-122 and take the TF-121 road to the right to Tegueste. Pass through the town and keep travelling straight ahead until you reach the crossroads at Las Canteras. Here, you take a left turn on the T-114 and in just a few minutes you will be entering a completely different world. Welcome to the slopes and the thick forest known as Monte de las Mercedes.

As the road starts climbing and winding, keep an eye out for the viewpoints: first Jardina and, a little further on, Cruz del Carmen, at almost 1,000 metres above sea level. There is a visitors centre here (open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for those interested. The following viewpoint is the Pico del Inglés, a not-to-be-missed stop, affording magnificent views of the surrounding Anaga forest and mountains and the seas bathing the north east coast of the island. A word of warning: it tends to be extremely windy up here and, at this time of the year, it may be cloudy and cold. So do take suitably warm clothing with you.

When you return to your car, continue along the same road which has at some point, by the way, become the TF-1123, until you come to a left turn-off and join the TF-112 in the direction of Taganana.

Soon you will come to a tunnel, not particularly long but requiring the use of head lights, and when you come out on the other side you will, again, think that you have switched worlds. Gone are the green-covered slopes, replaced by a stunning view of an escarpment that goes right down to the sea. The road winds down sharply with lots of curves and it is wise to drive slowly.

Watch out for a viewpoint on the right hand side of the road. Although there is limited parking space, it is well worth stopping here, as there are striking views of the northern tip of the island and the waves crashing along the shore and battering against the Anaga rock. Continue on downwards and soon you will see the spreading little town of Taganana, its houses and small market gardens dotted on both sides of the ravine. You can either stop here or proceed towards the right along the TF-1134 in the direction of Almáciga and Benijo, both on the coast. There are two beautifully wild beaches here, one easily accessible from the road although to reach the other, the Playa de los Roques, requires a ten-minute walk down a steep path where the road ends. There are one or two nice and inexpensive places to stop for lunch although you may prefer to head back and take a left turn after the tunnel and drive down to the small village of San Andrés, which has plenty of good fish and seafood restaurants.

If you are still in the mood for more sightseeing, head north along the TF-1121 to the Las Teresitas, a long palm-dotted beach with white sand imported from the Saharan desert. The artificial breakwater makes this a safe place for swimming, especially for children.
The route back to Puerto de la Cruz is straightforward. The TF-111 road takes you from San Andrés to Santa Cruz and from there you are just 30 kilometres or so away via the TF-5 dual carriageway.

La Gaceta Hotel