This is another fabulous hike; everyone that does it sings its praises! The Barranco de Ruiz is a beautiful area in the north of Tenerife and protected by law.
The walk starts on an old “camino” (Guanche trail) traversing up the gorge where there is much flora and fauna to be seen due to the micro-climate within the gorge. It is not only a refuge for endemic plants such as oxtongue and fragrant jasmine, it is also the habitat of numerous birds of prey such as falcons, owls and sparrow hawks.
After leaving the gorge, we walk through a tiny hamlet and agricultural land where in the spring, the fields are full of wild poppies. We then descend an old camino down to the sea. Now, we walk along a lovely coastal path where old Canarian style houses can be found together with magnificent vistas of the crashing waves on the shore, giving a completely varied twist to the day.