There are two types of forests here in Tenerife which both offer endless hiking opportunities: Laurisilva (laurel) and Canarian pine.
The laurel forests are to be found in isolated regions on the north coast of the island, predominantly in the Anaga Rural Park, Teno Rural Park and Las Lagunetas Nature Reserve. These zones are known locally as the cloud forest and consist of mainly evergreen trees and shrubs. They form a dense canopy where little light reaches the floor and so many endemic shrubs and herbs exist. The laurel forest is a type of humid forest which was more wide spread in the Mediterranean 1000s of years ago, but it now an ecotype confined to a few Macronesian islands including Tenerife.
Both of these forests attract the vast seas of clouds known locally as El Mar de Nubes. This amazing natural phenomenon caused by the trade winds is one of the main reasons that Tenerife has a ready supply of natural water. Also known locally as the elixir of life.
The other type of forest is the Corona Forestal that translates as the forest crown because it encircles the island and is the densest forest in the archipelago. Dominated by the Canarian pine, this forest is quite different to that of the Laurisilva in that the highest areas reach over 2,000 meters in altitude and samples of evergreen wax myrtle and heather shrubs can also be found. The entire forest is rich in endemic flora and fauna. The pine trees are home to many indigenous birdlife, especially the Blue Chaffinch and the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Forest walks can be idyllic and a ramble in the laurel forest is Lynne’s particular favourite kind of walk. The laurel forest can be eerie and spooky when a thin veil of mist clings to the canopy giving it a fairy-like setting. The pine forest however has an altogether fresher feel and can be quite open in places, the clean smell of the pine prevailing on the light breeze.
We have several walks that feature forests:
We highly recommend guided forest hikes for exploring and enjoying the scenery as they have everything you could possibly want from a hike, so come on, book one now and give it a go!
