Barranco del Cercado

The Barranco del Cercado circular route is one of those routes that surprises you. It starts in San Andrés, very close to the coast, and enters a humid ravine, full of native vegetation and corners that seem like they're from another world. The best thing is that it's not a simple round trip: you can climb the path that crosses the ravine and then descend along a forest track, forming a circular route that is around 8 km long.

The first part of the trail climbs along the Camino de Abicor, bordering the bed of the ravine. Here you'll see one of the largest natural palm groves on the island, with streams, pools, and lush vegetation: Canary Island date palms, reed beds, ferns, willows, and even some laurel forest in the shadier areas. The trail is narrow and somewhat wild, with passages somewhat obscured by vegetation, but it's easy to follow if you pay attention.

After about 3.5 km of intense climbing and a gradient of nearly 600 m, you reach a forest track (near El Bailadero or the TF-12 highway). From there, you can connect with the Lomo de Abicor trail, which curves down to San Andrés along another, more open path, making the return trip easier and offering more panoramic views of the ocean and the Anaga mountain range.

There are no fountains, constant shade, or official signage along the entire route, so it's best to bring an offline map or GPS, water, something to eat, and comfortable shoes. The surroundings are stunning: peaceful, very green, and with that magical quality that everything in Anaga has. Plus, since it's not as well-known as other trails in the area, you're likely to walk it without encountering many people.

A great plan for those looking for an intense hike, with real climbs, but without technical complications. Greenery, water, silence, and a ravine. A very complete experience, perfect for unwinding.