National park · Spain
Anaga Rural ParkParque Rural de Anaga
Visit Anaga Rural Park for a half‑day hike on the Pijaral trail (permit required) in spring or autumn, or a short walk to Cruz del Carmen viewpoint for free; avoid peak summer heat and bring water.
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- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Spain
- Area
- 140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²)
- 140 km² across the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Tegueste.
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Anaga Rural Park covers the forested Anaga Massif in northeast Tenerife, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with the highest concentration of endemic species in Europe. Its laurel forests, deep ravines and coastal villages offer free-access viewpoints and a few permit-only trails. The park is the second most important natural area on the island after Teide National Park.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2015Biosphere Reserve for endemic species.
Size and age
140 km² (54 sq mi)54 sq mi (140 km²) · national park since 1994
140 km² across the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Tegueste.
Why go
- Extensive laurel forest trails with endemic flora and birdlife.
- Panoramic viewpoints such as Cruz del Carmen and Pico del Inglés.
- Cultural villages like Taganana within the park boundaries.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, low crowds.
- FebCool, occasional rain.
- MarSpring, comfortable temps.
- AprDry, good visibility.
- MayWarm, before summer heat.
- JunHeat rises, trails drier.
- JulHot, occasional storms.
- AugPeak heat, possible fog.
- SepEarly autumn, pleasant.
- OctCool, clear days.
- NovMild, fewer visitors.
- DecCool, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurisilva pigeonAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic dracaena (dragon tree)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Birds of prey (e.g., kestrel)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Take TF‑5 north, exit 8a for Tegueste, then TF‑13/TF‑12 to park entrance.
45 min–1 h
From San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Drive north on TF‑13, then TF‑12 to Cruz del Carmen.
15–20 min
Open the page →
From Puerto de la Cruz
Follow TF‑12 along the coast, turn inland at San Andrés.
30–40 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cruz del Carmen | Visitor centre, parking, viewpoint and trailheads. | Free, open daily. |
| Pijaral nature reserve | Medium‑difficulty trail to Cabezo del Tejo. | Permit required. |
| Taganana village | Traditional settlement with lodging and restaurants. | Open to public. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | Free | person | Free of charge. |
| Pijaral trail permit | EUR 5 (≈ US$6) | person | Online booking required, max 45 hikers per day. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Pijaral trail permit permit or guide
General park entry no permit
Park rules
- Camping
- Strictly prohibited throughout the park.
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash and confined to trails.
- Permits
- Required for the Pijaral trail; book in advance.
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated BBQ areas outside the park.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins are not provided inside the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Taganana guesthouses
Small family‑run rooms within the village.
Near the park
San Andrés apartments
Self‑catering units a short drive from the park edge.
Safety
Steep, slippery trails after rain medium
Getting lost on unmarked sections high
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Cruz del Carmen viewpoint reachable by car with short walk; wheelchair‑accessible trail #1 available.
- Most forest trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Respect permit limits to protect fragile laurel forest.
- Support local eateries in Taganana to benefit community.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring reusable water bottle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Anaga Rural Park?
Entry is free; only the Pijaral trail requires a €5 permit per person.
What are the best hikes in Anaga Rural Park?
Top options are the Pijaral trail (permit required), the Chamorga‑Roque Bormejo loop, and the short Cruz del Carmen viewpoint walk.
When is the best time to visit Anaga Rural Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and early autumn (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside Anaga Rural Park?
No. Camping is prohibited throughout the protected area.
Is a guide required for any trails?
Only the Pijaral trail needs a permit; other marked trails are open to self‑guided hikers.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Anaga Rural Park
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