El Tanque: Nature, Hiking Trails and Historic Sites

El Tanque combines protected natural areas with hiking trails and historic sites. More than 60 percent of the municipality is made up of protected natural areas. This gives you a clear choice when planning your trip: you can focus on landscapes and viewpoints, or explore the town’s architecture, history and traditions.

Protected Areas and Viewpoints

Within El Tanque, the Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero covers 1,059.5 hectares. The Acantilados de La Culata protected area includes 61.1 hectares here, while the Parque Rural de Teno covers 200.9 hectares. The areas differ significantly in size: of these three figures, the Chinyero share is the largest and that of Acantilados de La Culata the smallest. Together, they show the different protected areas represented within the municipality.

One specific viewpoint is Mirador Lomo Molino, at an altitude of 640 meters. It is easily accessible by road and offers views of Tenerife’s north coast; on a clear day, you can also see Mount Teide and the island of La Palma. The viewpoint is part of the Cabildo de Tenerife’s island-wide network of viewpoints. If you are planning to look out toward more distant islands, be sure to take visibility conditions into account.

Hiking Trails and Route Characteristics

The SL-TF 151.2 hiking trail leads into the Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero, through the center of El Tanque and its historic quarter, and on to Mirador de La Atalaya on the border with Garachico. Its route therefore connects a natural area, the town center and a viewpoint. Check the current trail status and conditions before setting out.

Another route leads to the Charcas de Erjos and passes the Ecomuseo de El Tanque. It is rated very easy and recommended in spring. The two routes therefore differ in the places they pass: the SL-TF 151.2 goes through the town center to Mirador de La Atalaya, while the route to the Charcas de Erjos passes the Ecomuseo. This information can help you compare the places described and the recommended time of year when planning your trip.

Architecture and History

La Alhóndiga stands in the historic center of Tanque de Abajo. This rectangular, two-storey building dates from the 17th century. It was initially used as a grain store and later became an economic and social center for the surrounding area. La Alhóndiga is also within the protected surroundings of the Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua, which is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category.

The history of the Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua dates back to a chapel founded in the 16th century. It was destroyed when the Trevejo volcano erupted in 1706 and rebuilt in 1728. Casa de los Martelos is another historic landmark: this 17th-century building survived the eruption of Montaña Trebejo in 1706. Its horizontally divided facade features a central wooden balcony, characteristic of the traditional architecture of the period.

El Granero is a group of homes dating from the first Castilian settlements in El Tanque and is considered representative of rural Canarian architecture. Local volcanic stone, Canarian pine—also known as tea wood—and curved roof tiles were used in its construction. The Ermita de San José de los Llanos, an 18th-century chapel, also showcases a combination of traditional building materials: volcanic stone, Canarian pine and Arabic roof tiles.

The Lavaderos de La Atalaya include historic washing places considered part of the town’s ethnographic heritage. A natural spring feeds four water outlets there, and the site has around twenty wash basins. The paved approach is quite steep. If you plan to visit, take this into account and check the route conditions beforehand.

Museum, Traditions and Recreation Area

A visit to the Ecomuseo de El Tanque takes you through nine rooms. They explore the origins of the hamlet, its historical context and the daily lives of its residents. The exhibition on life in the historic Partido de Abajo combines information panels with audiovisual media, virtual reality and interactive features. Reservations are required for visits by large groups, such as schools, organizations or educational institutions. Check this requirement before planning a group visit.

Archaeology is also part of the town’s history: Las Partidas de Franquis is an archaeological zone designated a Bien de Interés Cultural. It is located in the Cañada de los Ovejeros, at the foot of the southeastern slope of Montaña de Tomás Seche. A small stone bearing an alphabetiform engraving in the shape of a podomorph, found at the site, is now housed in the Museo Arqueológico de Tenerife.

The Área Recreativa de Puerto Escondido is a 3,500-square-meter recreation park within the Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero. The facilities offer accessible routes and a children’s area; the stated capacity is 100 people. Artisanal cheese-making is also a tradition in El Tanque. Día de La Trilla began in 1996 and is celebrated in late July at the site and in the hamlets of the Ecomuseo in the district of San José de los Llanos. The event showcases agricultural and cultural traditions. In early August, the Feria de Artesanía presents local crafts on Avenida Príncipes de España. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ruigomez, Buen Paso, Adelantado, La Sabinita, Los Abrigos, San Cristóbal De La Laguna, El Bailadero, Los Rechazos.

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