Route: La Caldera
Area: Orotava Valley, Northern Tenerife
Date of walk: 6th February 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.2 miles
Ascent: 1,700 feet
Weather: Mixture of sun, cloud, mist and rain
The Orotava Valley climbs up from the north coast of the island to meet the Mount Teide National Park. The upper parts of the valley contain numerous walking opportunities, and we chose to start today’s walk from the car park at La Caldera which is surrounded by a network of footpaths
We headed off along our chosen trail into the ancient forest which was looking magical in the misty conditions. The lack of sunshine turned out to be an advantage during this and the other woodland sections, but this became a disadvantage when we emerged from the woods into thick mist, with no views whatsoever. Added to this, it started raining and the camera had to be put away for a while
On one section of the walk we entertained a few doubts as to whether we were on course, as we followed a very vague and narrow path through scrubland – the path here will soon become impenetrable unless the way is cleared. The weather improved as we arrived at a viewpoint known as Mirador de Mataznos from where enjoyed a brief spectacular view along the northern coast before the clouds came in again, and this set the tone for the remainder of the walk – some sunny intervals with good views, some heavy rain, and plenty of mist
After walking through pleasant agricultural land we entered the forest once more to return to La Caldera
Despite the mixed weather we’d really enjoyed this walk and the forest sections were if anything enhanced by the misty and ethereal conditions
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
A glimpse of Mount Teide from our hotel room gave us hopes of clear skies, but the clouds soon rolled in
The start of the walk as we enter the pine forest from La Caldera
The ancient forest is a magical place, especially in damp misty conditions
Some photos of the old pine trees, bedecked with hanging lichen...
We eventually emerge onto a road and then pick up this track. There would normally be superb views from here - but not today
Lower down and, after following a very vague path through scrubland, we reach the cloud line and a hint of blue skies
But will there be any views from the mirador?
Yes, Puerto de la Cruz is below, but the rest of the coastline is still obscured by mist
We walk along a path at the edge of a deep gorge
We then follow a dead straight path in the direction of the sea
We pass by some stepped potato fields
Good views down to Puerto de la Cruz as we descend
We pass through a rest area
Back into the forest...
We pass through a tunnel under the road and from here it's a short walk through the forest back to La Caldera and the end of a great walk
On the way back we drive through La Orotava and decide to have a stroll around the town, one of the loveliest in the Canaries
Casa de los Balcones - the House of Balconies
Drago trees in one of the town squares
There's a colonial feel to the historic centre of town...
A wonderful end to the day
