Pino Gordo

Standing before the Pino Gordo (Big Pine) in Vilaflor de Chasna is one of those unforgettable experiences. Not through artifice or rhetoric, but through sheer presence. This monumental Canary Island pine impresses from the very first moment: its height exceeds 45 meters, and its trunk reaches a circumference of nearly nine meters. Circling it is almost a collective activity; encircling it completely requires several people with outstretched arms.

What is most striking is looking up. The branches open towards the sky like a gigantic hand, forming a broad and powerful canopy that evokes a mixture of awe and vertigo. The thought that all this originated from a simple pine nut is almost inconceivable. Here, you truly understand the passage of time: it is estimated that the Pino Gordo is between 700 and 800 years old and lived alongside the aboriginal ancestors of the Canary Islands.

This Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis) stands at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters, within the Teide National Park's Forest Crown. It is a true survivor: it has withstood fires, storms, and human pressure, something clearly visible in the markings and tones of its trunk—scars that tell its story without words.

The surrounding area has been carefully prepared as a viewpoint. A small path leads you to its base, and several benches allow you to sit in its shade, listen to the wind rustling through the canopy, and take the time to observe it. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited and beloved trees on the island, nor that it is featured on the coat of arms of Vilaflor. You don't just come here to see a tree; you come to experience one of Tenerife's most powerful natural symbols.