Tenerife's Anaga Rural Park Day Hike: Chinamada

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anaga Rural Park is one of Tenerife’s most magical landscapes. Tucked into the island’s northeastern corner, but covering approximately 7% of the island’s land mass, this ancient volcanic region is draped in lush laurel forests and crisscrossed by trails that lead to remote mountain villages and wild black sand beaches. It feels like stepping into a fairytale—one written in mist and moss.

Anaga Rural Park Day Hike Route Summary

Location	Anaga Park: northeastern tip of the island, Chinamada: isolated cliffside hamlet located in the central-northeastern part of the park
Distance	13.5 km [8.4 miles]
Elevation	650 m [2133 feet]
Route type	partial loop with out and back sections
Terrain	dirt path
Time	3-4 hours depending on if you continue all the way to Punta del Hidalgo and how often you stop to enjoy the views
Highlights	Chinamada for its historic troglodyte cave houses dug directly into the volcanic rock; vistas of lush mountains and ocean views

Getting there

This park is one of the reasons I chose to stay in San Cristobal La Laguna over Santa Cruz. It is an easy 20-minute bus ride from the bus station (Intercambiador Laguna) into the park. Bus lines 76, 77, 273 or 275 connect La Laguna with Anaga, offering departures nearly every hour. The buses all stop at the Cruz del Carmen Visitor Centre, but each route loops through different parts of the park, which is handy if you want to do a one-way hike.

The Route

There are many hiking routes in the park – at least 20 listed on the Tenerife On website – so you could spend multiple days hiking in the park. I chose PR TF 10 for it’s unique stops, views, length and ability to make it a bit of a loop. I am not a huge fan of out and back hikes.

I began my hike at the Cruz del Carmen Visitor Centre, the park’s first entry point, perched at around 900 metres above sea level. It is often cloaked in clouds, which only adds to the mood. From here, I followed the PR TF 10 trail toward Punta del Hidalgo, descending slowly through the misty forest as sunlight began to break through the trees.

Every bend revealed something new—steep ravines, sharp ridgelines, and impossibly green hillsides, set against rust-red trails and bright blue sky. The laurel forest here is otherworldly, and the scenery constantly shifted as I descended.

Partway through, I passed Chinamada, one of the oldest settlements in the park. Homes here are built right into the rock, blending seamlessly with the mountainside. There’s a small information centre with a self-guided tour, perfect for learning more about this unique village.

Instead of completing the full route to the coast, I turned back at Mirador Aguaide, a stunning viewpoint overlooking the ocean. On the return, I branched onto the PR TF 10.1, taking me through the village of Las Carboneras. This section followed a mix of footpaths and roadside trails, offering new perspectives of the rugged landscape. Las Carboneras also has a few restaurants and a bus stop—handy if you are planning a one-way route.

There are countless hikes throughout the park—this was just one, but it was a standout from my time in the Canary Islands. If you’re visiting Tenerife and love to hike, Anaga deserves a spot at the top of your list.

Tips for Anaga

Trails in Anaga are well-marked with a coding system:

GR white and red markers designate trails greater than 50 km,
PR white and yellow markers for trails between 10-50 km,
SL white and green for less than 10 km.

Note that it’s crucial to stay on designated paths. Some areas pass near private property, and respecting the terrain is key to preserving this special place.

As with any hike, it is important to let someone know where you are going (especially if you are solo) and to have plenty of water and some snacks on hand. Since this hike started in a cloud forest, I made sure to have layers, adjusting for the temperatures.

The Tenerife On website and app are great resources for planning your hike!