La Caldera de Aguamansa: picnic area, trails and rules

La Caldera recreational area, high above La Orotava, needs no booking if you go on your own: only organisations and companies must request a permit on Tenerife ON. What you cannot do right now is set off on the official trails that start there. As of 27 October 2026, the Cabildo still lists the PR-TF 35 (La Caldera – Mamio), the PR-TF 35.1 (Casa del Agua – Pinolere) and the Aguamansa – La Crucita section of the Camino a Candelaria as closed, after damage from storms Emilia and Theresse. The campsite is closed too, in its case for forestry work.

What La Caldera is

It is a Cabildo recreational area inside the Corona Forestal Natural Park, set in the crater of an old volcano just above the village of Aguamansa. The crater floor is bare; around it grows Canary pine with laurel-type forest and other pine species. Since it is easy to reach by car and by bus, it gets busy.

Do you need to book?

• Recreational area, individuals: free access, no booking.
• Recreational area, organised groups: schools, associations, councils, clubs and outdoor-activity companies book on Tenerife ON, registered as an organisation.
• Tent campsite: booking is compulsory for everyone, on the Tenerife ON page. It is currently closed temporarily since 13 January 2025 for forestry work, with no reopening date.
• Maximum stay in campsites: 7 days, in a row or added up.

The trails that start at La Caldera

These are the waymarked routes the Cabildo links to La Caldera, with their official data. All of them currently carry a closure or restriction: treat them as reference for when they reopen.

• PR-TF 35, La Caldera – Mamio – La Caldera loop. 5.57 km, about 2 h 15, low difficulty, 369 m up and down. It climbs through laurel forest, crosses the GR 131 and passes the Casa del Agua before dropping to Mamio. Closed for safety after storm Emilia.
• PR-TF 35.1, Casa del Agua – Pinolere. Linear, 4.22 km, 2 h 10, moderate, 627 m down and 235 m up. It starts next to La Caldera and ends at Pinolere church. Closed after storm Emilia.
• SL-TF 81, Camino de La Orilla del Monte loop. 3.88 km, 1 h 25, low difficulty, starting and finishing at La Caldera. Its page shows access restricted while rain damage is assessed, and the Cabildo's resolution of 26-03-2026 lists it among the closed trails.
• PR-TF 35.4, Camino a Candelaria (Aguamansa – La Crucita). Linear, 4.52 km, 3 h 10, moderate, with about 983 m of climb to the La Crucita viewpoint on the TF-24. It starts in Aguamansa, not at the area. The section is listed as closed in the Cabildo's latest update, and it can also close for mouflon control.

Getting there

By car, take the TF-21, the road from La Orotava up to Las Cañadas del Teide. The turn-off is at km 16.2 according to the town hall and the trail pages; there is parking at the area itself. By bus, TITSA has two lines to the La Caldera stop (code 4253): the 345, Puerto de la Cruz – La Orotava – Aguamansa, and the 346, from La Orotava bus station. Not every departure goes up to La Caldera, and the 346 barely runs at weekends. Check each timetable for which trips get there. The Aguamansa stop (4252) is also served by the 348, which runs once a day from Puerto de la Cruz to the Teide Parador.

Facilities and rules

The Cabildo's page lists tables and benches, cooking grills, accessible toilets, a play area, bins and parking. The toilets open only during the warden's hours and the fountain water is not drinkable: bring your own. The area may be used only from sunrise to sunset.

• Fire: only in the grills or with a gas bottle, and only for cooking.
• Summer: from 1 June to 30 September, the grills may not be used after 20:00.
• Alerts: use can be suspended for fire, fire risk or weather warnings. In summer, check the risk level before you go up.
• No generators and no amplified music. No hammocks, gazebos or bouncy castles either; small folding chairs are fine.
• Dogs on a lead and under control. Cars in the car park only. No bikes or horses through the picnic area.

What weather to expect

The Cabildo itself warns that fog and low temperatures are common here, because of the altitude. Expect mist and colder air than on the coast: bring a warm layer. Before going up, check AEMET's forecast for La Orotava and any notices on Tenerife ON.

Booking (individuals)

not needed

Booking (organisations)

compulsory, on Tenerife ON

Hours

sunrise to sunset

Capacity (Cabildo)

825 places

Access

TF-21, turn-off at km 16.2

Bus

TITSA 345 and 346, La Caldera stop (4253)

Water

fountain not drinkable

Grills in summer

not after 20:00 (1 Jun–30 Sep)

Campsite

closed since 13-01-2025

Trails PR-TF 35, 35.1, 35.4, SL-TF 81

closed or restricted

Cabildo helpline

+34 922 239 500 / +34 901 501 901

From Finca Julia

La Caldera sits on the same road that climbs from the valley to Teide, so it works as a picnic stop on a La Orotava day or on the way up to Las Cañadas. While the trails stay closed, think of it as a place to eat in the cool of the pines rather than a hiking day. If you want to walk, there are open routes closer to Icod.

Itinerary: the Orotava Valley

Getting to Teide from Icod

Walks near Icod

The Tenerife trails that need a permit

Viewpoints in the north of Tenerife

Frequently asked questions

Do you pay or book to use La Caldera?

If you go on your own, you do not book. The town hall states that entry is free. Only organised groups and companies request a permit on Tenerife ON.

Can you walk the La Caldera – Mamio trail now?

No. As of 27-10-2026, the official PR-TF 35 page lists it as closed for safety after storm Emilia. Check the page before you go in case it reopens.

Can you camp at La Caldera?

Not at the moment. The tent campsite has been closed since 13 January 2025 for forestry work. When it reopens, booking is compulsory and the maximum stay is 7 days.

Can you have a barbecue?

Yes, in the area's grills or with a gas bottle, and only for cooking. From 1 June to 30 September, nothing after 20:00, and use can be suspended during a fire alert.