Among the creatures you might spot are the alcaudón (small birds which love eating insects) and beetles such as the pimelia (small, black and with bellies).
It’s an area rich in pumice stone, formed when hot lava mixes with water and hardens, resulting in a porous material (perfect for sloughing away dry skin). This type of stone forms the basis of the so-called Cañada de los Guancheros.
Some of the dominant plant species in the area are the retama and the hierba pajonera - little bushes with spherical white and yellow flowers.
All these colours create a contrast with the coppery hues of La Fortaleza, the great mountain that remained after Las Cañadas collapsed. The green of the Canarian pine trees and cedars accentuate the beautiful colours of this area.
Tip: (and frankly the reason why you’d go at night) if the sky is clear, the canopy of stars is unforgettable.
Tenerife is a beguiling volcanic island with a warm average year-round temperature of 23ºC. And with more than 1,500km of hiking trails, there’s no better way to experience its incredible landscapes, than by joining the 2016 Tenerife Walking Festival.
The festival, from 29 March to 2 April offers visitors a series of 15 group hikes (max 25 participants) along 3 coastal, 6 volcanic and 6 forest routes that celebrate the diverse scenery and inspiring natural beauty.
All routes depart from Puerto de la Cruz town centre. For more details and to register, go to tenerifewalkingfestival.com
