Barranco Hondo: Hiking and Cultural Heritage

Barranco Hondo offers several points of interest to consider when planning your trip: the officially approved SL-TF 299 El Centeno hiking trail, the historic Camino Viejo a Candelaria pilgrimage route, and the Barranco Hondo 1 archaeological site. When planning your hike, the route, length, difficulty level, and stated duration can help you assess the SL-TF 299. If you are interested in cultural history, it is worth distinguishing between the other two names: Camino Viejo a Candelaria refers to a pilgrimage route, while Barranco Hondo 1 is a site featuring rock engravings.

Hiking the SL-TF 299 El Centeno

The officially approved linear hiking trail SL-TF 299 El Centeno runs from Las Lagunetas (TF-24, km 16) to Plaza de la Iglesia de San José in Barranco Hondo. It is 5.7 kilometres long, rated moderate, and has a stated duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The combination of length, difficulty level, and duration helps you assess the trail as a specific hike with a stated time requirement. Before setting out, check the latest route information as well as safety and closure conditions.

The route offers views of the Valle de Güímar, the metropolitan area, and the slopes of Parque Rural de Anaga. It also passes through the protected landscape of Las Lagunetas. The views and the protected-area setting are distinct features: the named landscapes are viewpoints, while Las Lagunetas refers to the landscape the trail passes through. Weather and trail conditions can affect the hiking experience.

The Camino Viejo a Candelaria

The Camino Viejo a Candelaria is a historic pilgrimage route of ethnographic significance that has been in use since the 16th century. In 2008, the Government of the Canary Islands declared it an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). The two dates serve different purposes: the 16th century refers to the route’s history of use, while 2008 is the year of its BIC declaration. This distinguishes the route’s long history of use from its later cultural heritage designation.

There are rest stops or rest areas along the Camino Viejo a Candelaria in Barranco Hondo. As these may change, check locally for the latest information.

Archaeological traces in Barranco Hondo

Barranco Hondo is home to archaeological remains from the region’s pre-Hispanic past. The Barranco Hondo 1 archaeological site, featuring rock engravings, lies in the barranco of the same name near its mouth. Alongside the historic pilgrimage route, it therefore offers concrete archaeological evidence of the area’s history.

In El Rosario, the archaeological site is considered de facto an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) under Law 16/85 of 25 June on Spanish historical heritage. Its designation differs from that of the Camino Viejo a Candelaria: the pilgrimage route was declared a BIC in 2008, while Barranco Hondo 1 is considered a BIC de facto under the law. If you are exploring the area’s cultural heritage, these different designations help distinguish the route from the archaeological site.

Discover more destinations: El Draguito, Cueva Bermeja, Taganana, Maria Jimenez, Igueste De San Andrés, Santa María Del Mar, Benijo, San Andres

For the overview of the wider area: Santa Cruz De Tenerife.