Playa Casa África restaurant, at Roque de las Bodegas
What to order: the fish of the day, fried or sancochado (boiled), which is charged by weight, or the fish churros with alioli; for dessert, quesillo.
geocalia
Day itinerary · 28.55° N · 16.20° W
A Sunday in Anaga, from the cloud forest to fish by the sea.
The Forest of Enigmas first thing, Taganana mid-morning, fish by weight at Roque de las Bodegas and a stroll along the coast to Almáciga.
Leaving from
Part of Anaga Massif
Add to my trip
Total time8 h
By car30 min each way
WalkingAbout 8 km in two walks
DifficultyEasy
Cost€25–40 pp
Best timeOctober – May
With childrenYes; with little ones, the Path of the Senses
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
-
Leave Santa Cruz de Tenerife 30 min by car
from Santa Cruz via La Laguna, Las Mercedes and the TF-12
-
1
Bosque de los Enigmas from Cruz del Carmen
Circular walk from Cruz del Carmen · 4.8 km · free
- 30 min by car17 km
-
2
Taganana and its interpretive trail
1 km interpretive trail and the church of Las Nieves
- 10 min by car4 km
-
3
Playa Casa África restaurant, at Roque de las Bodegas
Fish of the day by weight · no booking · closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Roque Las Bodegas, 3, 38130 Santa Cruz de Tenerife · +34 922 59 01 00
Restaurant €€Book - 2 min on foot
-
4
The Taganana coast, from Roque de las Bodegas to El Draguillo
To Almáciga and the Benijo viewpoint, there and back · Benijo beach is closed
-
Back home
via El Bailadero and San Andrés; in Santa Cruz around 17:40
Approximate cost
About €20–35 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Bosque de los Enigmas from Cruz del Carmen
This Sunday crosses Anaga from one side to the other: in the morning, the laurel forest of the ridge, before the mist has risen; at midday, the village of Taganana and fish facing the black beach of Roque de las Bodegas; in the afternoon, a walk along the coast. From Santa Cruz it is 25 minutes to Cruz del Carmen and as many again back via San Andrés: it fits in a day without getting up too early.
The day, hour by hour
9:00 · Set off. From Santa Cruz to La Laguna and the TF-12 through the Las Mercedes forest to Cruz del Carmen. Park at the visitor centre, which opens at 9:30.
9:30 · Forest of Enigmas. A self-guided circuit of 4.8 km and 1 h 40 through the laurel forest, no permit needed. Bring a waterproof: up there the mist soaks you.
11:30 · Taganana. Continue on the TF-12 to El Bailadero and go down to the village. The interpretive trail makes a one-kilometre loop through the streets and the church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves.
13:00 · Lunch at Casa África. Ten minutes further down, in the hamlet of Roque de las Bodegas. Fish of the day by weight, octopus, fish churros. They do not take bookings: arrive early.
15:00 · Along the coast. The coast path leaves the hamlet towards Almáciga and climbs to the Benijo viewpoint. Benijo beach has been closed since 2024 because of rockfalls: look at it from above.
17:00 · Head home. Via El Bailadero and San Andrés; in Santa Cruz in about 35 minutes.
With children
Swap the Forest of Enigmas for the Path of the Senses, 20 to 35 minutes, and the afternoon walk for the flat stretch to Almáciga. On the beach, the north-coast sea breaks hard: paddling only.
Distance4.8 km
Ascent233 m
Time1 h 40
Change the route
With small children, instead of the Forest of Enigmas: 20 to 35 minutes:
Sendero de los Sentidos at Cruz del Carmen
If there are four or more of you and you want a guide: walk at 9:30 and lunch at a guachinche, from €65:
Guided walk through the Cruz del Carmen laurel forest and lunch at a guachinche
If Casa África is full: in the same hamlet, Tuesday to Sunday:
La Ola, by the sea at Roque de las Bodegas
If it rains on the coast: lunch in La Laguna, on Sunday 13:00 to 16:30:
Nómada restaurant, in La Laguna Gran Hotel
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
La Ola, by the sea at Roque de las Bodegas
What to order: the caramelised octopus or the Taganana baby squid; if you fancy something different, the cod cannelloni in prawn sauce.
Nómada restaurant, in La Laguna Gran Hotel
What to order: tartare, carpaccio or the fish of the day; ask what is in season.
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Anaga Massif
Any Sunday of the year with a clear morning on the ridge. Casa África opens on Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00 and does not take bookings: arrive before 13:30.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Set out with Casa África's hours in mind
It opens Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and does not take bookings.
- 2The ridge, in the morning
Clouds usually close in over Cruz del Carmen at midday.
We'd skip it
Monday and Tuesday, when Casa África is closed, and days with a heavy-rain alert on Tenerife ON.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does the day cost?
Between €25 and €40 per person: the trails are free and the spending is lunch.
Do you need to book anything?
No. The Forest of Enigmas is open access and Casa África does not take bookings.
Can you swim at Benijo?
No, the beach has been closed since July 2024.
Is it a good plan with children?
Yes, swapping the Forest of Enigmas for the Path of the Senses.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/anaga-massif/itineraries/laurel-forest-and-black-beach-sunday
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.