The visitor centre and the Anaga museum
In the Anaga Rural Park, close to the historical centre of La Laguna, you will find the Cruz del Carmen. This crossroads has a visitor centre and a small museum dedicated to local vegetation, fauna and traditions. Right beside the centre, visitors can enjoy splendid views from a spacious viewpoint where the silhouette of Teide appears the cut through the skies.
There's a family restaurant and a cafeteria, where you recharge your batteries with an aperitif or typical Canarian dish. The humid laurel forests, so characteristic of the Anaga Rural Park, circle the Cruz del Carmen, inviting you to enjoy the nature on offer and the 19 different species of trees that give Anaga a jungle-like aspect that is difficult to resist exploring.
Paths from the laurel forest to the sea
Hidden among the ravines and laurel forests of the Anaga Rural Park is a complete network of trails and paths, which take you to different corners of the mountains. Anaga’s popularity among ramblers is due to the variety of walks available and the richness of the landscapes: to enjoy the both the laurel forest and the coast the most popular path to take is the one that leads to the hamlet of Taganana village, which lets you end your walk with a dip in the sea.
The Sendero de los Sentidos (Path of the Senses) is perfect for families with children and those with reduced mobility as it is full of interactive experiences and contact with nature. Another option for the more adventurous is the circular path around Chamorga, from where you can enjoy impressive views to the Anaga rocks and an abandoned country estate surrounded by dragon trees.
Tranquil beaches where you can lose yourself and enjoy the sea
Bathed by the Atlantic, the coast of Anaga Rural Park is an ideal place to enjoy a swim, the peace and the natural surroundings of the park around you. In some of the beaches and caves, such as Almáciga, you might come across a small restaurant with fresh fish dishes, or go further on to Antequera, which is only accessible by foot or boat, and lose yourself far away from civilisation.
The beaches of Benijo and the Roque de las Bodegas, in the north of the rural park, are the top choices among surfers. Both are accessible by road and have a selection of restaurants nearby. Roque de las Bodegas is opposite the hamlet of Taganana, while from Benijo you can enjoy the volcanic landscape and the Anaga rocks as well as the infinite ocean.
- Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
- Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
- Do not walk in areas where it is not allowed and respect the signposting along trails. Leaving the set paths causes damage to the environment and could also be dangerous for you and anyone with you.
- Do not light fires outside the permitted areas and be especially careful during the summer months.
- Try not to alter the peace of the environment with excessive noise (loud music, yelling, etc.).