British Guild of Travel Writers 2010Annual General Meeting 26th to 29th January

Get off the

beaten track in

Tenerife

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Tenerife offers much more than sun, sea and sangria and those that venture

away from the beach will be rewarded with stunning landscapes, tiny villages

and towns, reflecting traditional life that has changed little over the years, and

spectacular natural sights such as the Masca Gorge and Mount Teide, the highest

mountain in Spain.

The diversity of the island’s scenery allows visitors to enjoy extraordinary natural

treasures, getting to grips with Canarian culture and taking part in many

adventurous activities, as well as discovering the varied flora and fauna in the

many national parks. Tenerife also has an extensive network of rural hotels that

mean getting and staying off the beaten track is definitely an option for those

that prefer to stay away from the main resorts.

Some of the places to discover include:

Exploring the North of Tenerife

The North of Tenerife is less popular than the busy resorts of the South, but has

much to offer the visitor who wants to get off the beaten track and discover

the island’s culture. Los Realejos black sand beaches, La Orotava’s Old Quarter,

Isla Baja’s local cuisine, wines and boutique hotels are just some of the things to

enjoy in the north of the island.

About a 45-minute drive from Tenerife South airport is Santa Cruz, the largest

city and the capital of Tenerife. Stroll down the ramblas for shopping and

cosmopolitan culture and head out to the green Anaga region where there are

small villages hidden in the rugged landscape. Places of interest include the Fine

Arts Museum, the Neoclassical Carta Palace, Calatrava’s auditorium and the sandy

Las Teresitas beach.

La Laguna town is an excellent location to see the most wonderful examples

of the Canarian architecture and to savour the local cuisine and varied wines.

Its historical centre is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are many art

galleries to potter around, as well as good shopping in the designer boutiques

and traditional shops, some of the oldest on the island.

Mount Teide National Park

Mt. Teide is the highest mountain in Spain at an altitude of 3,718 metres above

sea level. The steep slopes of the mountain reach this altitude in a mere thirteen

kilometres from the coastline. One of the best ways to experience the mountain

is to take the cable car up to an area known as the Rambleta, at a height of 3,555

metres. The cable runs daily from 9am to 4pm, unless bad weather or high winds

make the service impossible. The more adventurous can ascend on foot and the

walk takes around six hours.

A permit is needed to reach the summit by foot and can be applied for in person,

post, fax or email at the Administration Office of the Teide National Park located

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in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Those who don’t have the permit can still see excellent

views of Tenerife and the other islands of the Canarian Archipelago at two

viewpoints that don’t require a permit, the Fortaleza and the Pico Viejo. And

those that want to stay overnight in the Altavista Refuge at 3,720 metres,

don’t not need to apply for a permit to reach the peak, as a stamped copy of the

application to stay overnight at the refuge is sufficient.

Masca hamlet and gorge

Masca is a tiny hamlet of typical stone houses with some of the best examples

of rustic Canarian architecture, located 600m above sea level in the spectacular

Teno Rural Park, in the Buenavista del Norte district. It boasts spectacular scenery

and is a unique beauty spot ideal for hiking down the nearby ravine - the Masca

Gorge. The gorge is around five kilometres long and the hike down takes around

four hours, passing by huge sheer rock walls above the winding ravine and a

wealth of botanical species.

The path ends at Masca beach, a small black sandy cove where hikers can enjoy

a cooling swim before either hiking the six hours or so back, or taking the more

popular option of returning by boat. The Masca hamlet is worth spending a little

time in before or after the hike with several local bars and restaurants, historical

buildings such as the oldest building in the village, the Casa de Los Avinculados

and handicraft shops for picking up traditional island gifts.

Teno Rural Park

Teno Rural Park covers 8,063,6 hectares and takes in the districts of Buenavista

del Norte, Los Silos, Santiago del Teide and El Tanque. It was declared a Nature

Park in June 1987 and designated a Rural Park in 1994, as well as classed as a

Bird Sanctuary in 1979. The park consists of spectacular gorges, steep cliffs and

varying landscapes as well as important areas of ancient forest land that only

exists in the Atlantic islands and is home to a wide variety of endemic species.

Anaga Rural Park

Anaga Rural Park, in the north east of the island, is a large protected area

of immense ecological value with a many tracks and paths that are ideal for

walkers who want to discover the picturesque scenery and beauty spots, as well

as the unique flora and fauna of this area. The rugged mountain range is over

3.5 million years old and features a wealth of rocky crags and outcrops, natural

breakwaters, jagged peaks, raised beaches and spectacular cliffs. There are also

plenty of archaeological remains scattered around the park.

Wine routes in Tenerife

Verdant and lush, Tenerife North produces a significant variety of red, white and

rosé wines and welcomes visitors to its vineyards and wineries for a flavoursome

wine tasting experience.

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Wine tours last half a day or a full day; the second option includes a meal at

a local restaurant and accommodation on weekend tours. The routes can also

combine other activities such as visits to places of interest along the route. These

vary from trekking and heritage tours to trips to vineyards, historical quarters,

markets and museums. English speaking specialised guides help to learn in depth

and transport allows visitors to enjoy a comfortable journey throughout the wine

locations.

A la carte tours can be arranged according to special interests.

One of the five Designations of Origin in Tenerife can be tasted along the

Tacoronte-Acentejo Wine Route, covering the northeast of Tenerife. Visitors can

learn about the wines, visit various vineyards and charming family-run wineries

while enjoying the picturesque volcanic landscape.

The Casa del Vino La Baranda, a traditional farm-house from the 17th Century,

is now used to promote the local wine produce. With fabulous views to the sea

and Mount Teide, this ‘wine house’ is recommended for wine lovers and includes

a wine museum, a wine shop and a restaurant where delicious creative Canarian

dishes are served.

Other places to visit along the route are the markets in Tegueste and La Matanza

for fresh fruit, cheeses and pastries. www.rutasyvinos.com

- Ends -

Tenerife Tourism Corporation

For more information visit www.webtenerife.com or contact Raquel Fonseca

Email: raquel@humewhitehead.co.uk Tel: (0) 20 8334 7026