Aguamansa: Hiking and Rural Heritage

Aguamansa lies at an altitude of about 1,000 metres, above Pinolere and below Los Órganos, on a north-facing slope of Tenerife. The routes described have different characteristics: a historic pilgrimage route, a circular trail and a route with an ethnographic focus. If you are planning a hotel stay in Tenerife, you can consider whether Aguamansa’s hiking and cultural heritage appeal to your interests when choosing a destination.

Hillside setting and historic water use

Aguamansa is associated with spring water and historic tunnels such as El Velo and El Moral. One specific example of past water use is the Casa del Agua, a well-preserved historic stone building. In the past, it collected water from various springs in the Aguamansa area and then distributed it. The Casa del Agua is also a hub for the Camino Natural de Anaga–Chasna, the GR 131, the PR-TF 35, PR-TF 35.1 and PR-TF 35.2 hiking trails, and the Ruta del Agua.

From pilgrimage route to circular trail

The Camino a Candelaria is an old pilgrimage route connecting Aguamansa with Candelaria. Its starting point is at the Aguamansa fish farm, at an altitude of 1,000 metres. The route passes through extensive pine forests and over lava slopes as it climbs to the Mirador de La Crucita on the TF-24 road. As a route connecting two places, it differs from the PR-TF 35 La Caldera–Mamio–La Caldera: this circular trail is 5.7 kilometres long, runs through the Corona Forestal Natural Park and can be walked without a permit. The circular trail passes the Aguamansa Environmental Centre and then returns through the forest to the La Caldera recreation area. This makes it possible to distinguish between a historic pilgrimage route and a circular trail with a stated length.

Route connections and pajares

The SL-TF 81 Camino la Orilla del Monte climbs for about 1.5 kilometres to the Mirador Lomo Chillero. The section of the GR 131 Anaga–Chasna between the La Caldera recreation area and El Portillo starts at the La Caldera car park and joins the SL-TF 81. The information differs in its practical focus: the SL-TF 81 leads to the viewpoint, while the description of the GR 131 section specifies its starting point and connection to the SL-TF 81.

Aguamansa has a significant concentration of traditional pajares, some scattered and others arranged in groups. The Los Pajares route starts at the Pajares de Aguamansa and ends at the Pinolere Ethnographic Museum. The Los Pajares de La Orotava self-guided tour describes a route connecting Aguamansa and Pinolere and passing by pajares, landscapes and features of ethnographic interest. The municipal self-guided tour provides information on history, maps, stops and audio commentary at each station.

The La Caldera recreation area

Beyond Aguamansa lies the La Caldera recreation area. It has parking, public toilets, picnic tables, a bar-restaurant, barbecue facilities, a playground and a camping area. As some facilities may change, check what is currently available before your visit.

Food references in an older account

A municipal article from 2013 associates Aguamansa with papas bonitas, oregano, chestnuts, Reinette apples and, occasionally, plums. In connection with Aguamansa’s cuisine, the article also mentions rabbit in salmorejo, goat meat and goat’s cheese.

Discover other destinations: La Perdoma, La Florida.

For the broader travel overview: La Orotava.