Medio Ambiente de Tenerife - Teno

Located in the north-west of the island of Tenerife, the Teno Rural Park comprises the Teno massif and surrounding areas. It covers in part the municipalities of Buenavista del Norte, Los Silos, El Tanque and Santiago del Teide.

Teno is an old volcanic massif that has weathered the forces of erosion, leaving behind the landscape we see today of large coastal cliffs, levees and vents.

Lava from the last volcanic eruption flowed down old valleys and fossilised a number of cliffs, fanning out down to the coast to form the so called islas bajas, or low islands, such as Buenavista and Teno Bajo.

Today's landscape is characterised by valleys such as El Palmar and Erjos and deep ravines which, as is the case with the Masca ravine, open out into small beaches. However, the most representative formations on the Teno coast are the cliffs, especially the 500-metre-high Los Gigantes cliffs, as well as Islas Bajas and large banks of rocks.

Getting there

The main entry points to the park are from the TF-436, which runs from Buenavista to Santiago del Teide, and the TF-445, which connects Buenavista with El Faro and Punta de Teno. The park also crosses the TF-82, which runs from Icod de los Vinos to Armeñime, and links this town to the TF-1 Armeñime - Santa Cruz de Tenerife road.

What to see

The most interesting sites in the area are Masca, Valle de El Palmar, Teno Alto, Monte del Agua, Punta de Teno, Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Cumbre de Bolico, las Mesetas de Abache, Guergues and La Fortaleza, in addition to the wide variety of ecosystems the small area has to offer. The total area of the park is 8063.30 ha.

What it offers

Thanks to the area's altitude and location, Teno is an area of great biological diversity constituting an important sanctuary for a variety of threatened species, such as laurisilva pigeons and native lizards. The monteverde species cover the areas exposed to trade winds and Monte del Agua is home to a magnificent selection of trees and plants, including myrica fayas, palo blanco (Picconia excels), acebiño (Ilex canariensis) and madroños (Arbutus canariensis).

On the southern side of the park, the most notable plant species are retamas and tabaibas, as well as other species typical of transition zones, whilst on the banks on the northern slope are remains of thermophile forests, especially palm, dragon and pomegranate trees.

Punta de Teno is home to one of the island's largest and most well-preserved areas of tabaibas and cordones, a spectacular sight simply because of the sheer number and stature of some of the species.

In addition to natural values, Teno has a rich ethnographic heritage and has managed to keep alive many traditional customs which today can only be seen in Tenerife.

There is no better way to discover the rich natural and cultural heritage of Teno than by taking a drive along the park's roads or a walk on any one of the numerous paths. Enjoy panoramic views from the lookouts, discover the area's hamlets, its cuisine, stay overnight in Albergue de Bolico, spend a day with the family in the Los Pedregales Recreational Area or purchase local goods in the El Palmar Farmer's Market.

Experience the way of life of Teno, but remember to respect the property, customs and privacy of the people of the area.

People, culture and tradition

The people of the Teno Rural Park live in the hamlets of El Palmar, Teno Alto, Las Lagunetas, Las Portelas, Los Carrizales, Masca and Erjos, and earn an living from agriculture and farming, primarily part time and for their own consumption.

The area's unique agrarian landscape is testimony to how important farming was for the local economy in the past. Today, young people are moving to the services sector in the south of the island, which has resulted in an increase in the average age of the people working on the land, an increase which can also be explained by the return of emigrants who went to Venezuela, and later to European countries, in the sixties.

The most popular local products are potatoes, cheese, wine, saffron, fruit and honey, all of which are sold locally.

Furthermore, although traditional crafts are now in decline, basket weaving can still be seen in Masca and El Palmar. In the countryside surrounding the hamlets old kilns and bread ovens can be found, as well as communal threshing floors and mountain huts typical of farming life, such as those in Teno Alto.

Festivities are held in the different hamlets in September and October to celebrate the end of harvest. The most popular festivity, given its historical and cultural significance, is the fiesta of El Palmar, known for its Baile de Libreas and peculiar Tajaraste dance.

Network of trails of the Teno Rural Park

Practical guide: Teno Rural Park
Approved Trails Network
Self-guided routes
- Los Pedregales Route
  - Audio-guides
  - Flora
- Accessible Trail Monte del Agua
- Guide Accessible Online