Ruta de Los Almendros

The path crosses terraces of almond trees planted on the volcanic material of this slope, close to Chinyero, whose eruption of 18 November 1909 was the last recorded on Tenerife. The volcanic soil suits a tree with minimal demands, and in February the blossom covers the slopes in white and pink against the dark lapilli. Outside that season the interest lies in the volcanic landscape itself and in the views over the Santiago del Teide valley. The point marked in this entry sits beside the TF-375 road, on the stretch close to Arguayo, at around 1,100 metres.

The route is linear, so the return has to be planned because the two ends are in different villages. The surface alternates dirt farm tracks, stretches of traditional path and the odd road crossing, with no technical difficulty but continuous ups and downs. During the blossom season weekends are busy and the parking in Santiago del Teide fills early. In Arguayo, at the end of the walk, stands the Centro Alfarero y Museo Etnográfico Cha Domitila, devoted to pottery made by hand in the aboriginal tradition.