Best canyons around Santa Cruz De Ténérife are characterized by deep ravines, known locally as barrancos, that cut through the island's volcanic landscape. The region offers a diverse range of these natural formations, from urban ravines to those within protected natural parks like Anaga. These canyons showcase unique geological features, lush vegetation, and provide various opportunities for exploration. Tenerife's topography ensures a variety of canyon experiences accessible from the capital.
Last updated: May 23, 2026
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A fantastic hiking trail leads along here, amidst beautiful nature 💚 highly recommended. The bridge is very sturdy and leads to the glass caves, which are stunning and definitely worth a visit 👍🏻. I wonder what kind of hard work it must have been to create these tunnels and then extract sand to produce glass. Unfortunately, it didn't bring the Spanish the desired success, so the project was abandoned. The poor local population then used the caves as shelter. Unthinkable in this day and age.
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A fantastic hiking trail leads along here, amidst beautiful nature 💚 highly recommended. The bridge is very sturdy and leads to the glass caves – beautiful to see and highly recommended 👍🏻.
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Although the viewpoint around the house is closed, you can follow the road through the fairy tunnel and join the hike to the right-hand turnoff towards Valleseco. The path soon intersects the closed hiking trail.
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We were at Pico del Ingles today, but the "Tunnel of the Fairies" hiking trail is closed 😔. You can no longer get from the viewpoint past the house to the trail.
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Beyond the well-known spots, you can explore the Barranco de Santos, which carves through the urban center and offers a blend of natural beauty and city history. Another option is the Barranco Grande, known for its agricultural past and the historic Molino de Barranco Grande. For a tranquil natural setting close to the city, consider the Barranco de Tahodio with its reservoir.
Yes, the Barranco de Santos is historically significant. It was a site for notable events during the conquest of Tenerife, and Guanches once inhabited its caves. The Barranco de Santos also served as a natural drainage system for the city for centuries.
The Barranco de Afur is one of the few water-bearing barrancos in the region. A small stream from the Anaga Mountains flows through it, creating a lush, green valley with diverse plants, frogs, and small waterfalls, eventually reaching Playa de Tamadite. The Barranco de Tahodio also features a reservoir, adding a unique water element to its natural setting.
Yes, the Barranco del Río offers a challenging trail with gradients up to 36%. It's partly exposed and difficult to walk, especially when wet, requiring good footwear and fitness. Another challenging option is the trail to Hollowed Rocks on the Trail to Chinamada, which features narrow and sheer points and is not recommended for those with vertigo.
You can find distinctive geological formations at the Hollowed Rocks on the Trail to Chinamada, located along the path between Punta de Hidalgo and Chinamada. Additionally, the Fairy Tunnel (Túnel de las Hadas) – Old Path to Pico del Inglés is an old road cut into a mountain, creating vertical walls covered in vegetation and moss, offering a unique environment.
While some canyons in the region can be challenging, the Barranco de Santos offers public paths through its urban sections, providing an accessible way to experience a barranco within the city. For a more natural but still relatively accessible experience, the Barranco de Tahodio provides a charming natural setting close to the city, suitable for a tranquil outing.
The area around Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous mountain hikes, including routes like the Taganana Village loop. There are also many cycling routes and road cycling routes that explore the diverse landscapes around the canyons, such as the Anaga Park loops.
Visitors frequently appreciate the unique blend of natural beauty and historical context. The lush, green valleys of barrancos like Barranco de Afur are often highlighted for their spectacular and lonely atmosphere. The magical environment of the Fairy Tunnel is also a popular photo motif, and the challenging trails offer rewarding panoramas.
Yes, you can. The Bridge over the Barranco de Toledo and the Cuevas de Vidrio leads to the 'glass caves'. These caves were historically used for mining sand to produce glass and later served as shelters for the local population. The Barranco de Santos also has historical caves where Guanches once lived.
Tenerife generally enjoys a mild climate year-round. However, for canyoning and hiking, the cooler, drier months from autumn to spring (October to May) are often preferred. During the summer, temperatures can be higher, and some barrancos might have less water. Always check local weather conditions before heading out, especially for challenging trails like Barranco del Río, which can be very slippery when wet.
Yes, several canyons offer excellent viewpoints. The Hollowed Rocks on the Trail to Chinamada is a natural monument and viewpoint that provides great panoramic views. The Barranco de Afur also features viewpoints along its picturesque landscape, offering vistas of the green valley and the Atlantic Ocean.


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