Cruz del Carmen: Anaga's visitor centre and trailhead

Cruz del Carmen is the viewpoint and visitor centre of Anaga Rural Park, on the TF-12 road at km 22.5, in the municipality of La Laguna. The centre opens every day from 9:30 to 16:00, and in July, August and September until 15:00. It has parking, the bus from La Laguna stops there, and the Sendero de los Sentidos and several longer trails start at its door. None of them needs a booking.

What is at Cruz del Carmen

Three things share one high point in the forest. The viewpoint, looking over the Vega Lagunera and the city of La Laguna, with Teide in the distance when the day allows. The Cabildo's visitor centre, with information on the park. And, according to Turismo de Tenerife, a restaurant and a market next to the viewpoint. All around, laurel forest.

The visitor centre

Inside there is a permanent exhibition on the park, an audiovisual and toilets. The main entrance, the gardens, the exhibition room and the screening room are accessible, with a lift, and there is one reserved space for people with reduced mobility right by the door. If you are coming as a group, the Cabildo asks you to contact the centre first.

• July, August and September: Monday to Sunday, 9:30–15:00.
• Rest of the year: Monday to Sunday, 9:30–16:00.
• Christmas (21 December – 9 January): 9:30–15:00.
• Closed: 24, 25 and 31 December, and 1 and 6 January.
• Phone: +34 922 633 576.
• Note: La Laguna council's tourism site gives different Christmas dates (22 December – 10 January) and lists it as closed on all public holidays. If you are going on a holiday, ring first.

Parking

There is a parking area next to the centre, with a section kept for buses and coaches. The official listing does not say how many spaces it has or whether it costs anything, so we will not make that up. If it is full, the Bosque de los Enigmas listing gives another option nearby: the Mirador de Zapata, with 8 spaces, where that trail can also be started.

Trails that start here

The centre links to eight routes. The Sentidos trails and the Bosque de los Enigmas are loops back to where you started. The rest are linear, and the two longest drop to the coast, so you come back by bus.

• Sendero Circular de los Sentidos 1, “Déjate sorprender”: 0.96 km, about 20 minutes, very easy.
• Sendero Circular de los Sentidos 2, “Lo que encierra el Monteverde”: 1.24 km, about 35 minutes, easy.
• Sendero de los Sentidos 1, “Despierta tus sentidos”: it appears on the centre's list, but its page was not available on the day of the check.
• PRAN 2 Bosque de los Enigmas: a 4.78 km loop, 1 h 40, easy. Self-guided, with interpretation.
• PRA 14 Hija Cambada: 0.59 km and a quarter of an hour, linear, to km 21.5 of the same road.
• PR-TF 01 Las Mercedes – Cruz del Carmen: 2.5 km and 1 h 20. It climbs here from the square at Las Mercedes.
• PR-TF 10 Cruz del Carmen – Punta del Hidalgo: 9.88 km, 4 h 30, moderate, with 1,503 m of total descent.
• PR-TF 12 Cruz del Carmen – Bajamar: 10.53 km, 3 h 45, moderate.

The two Sentidos loops are short and easy, but Tenerife ON notes they are not accessible for people with reduced mobility. At the end of PR-TF 10 and PR-TF 12, in Punta del Hidalgo and Bajamar, buses 50, 105 and 224 stop.

Getting there by bus

The stop is called Cruz del Carmen, code 2232. According to TITSA, it is served by the 076 (La Laguna – Cruz del Carmen – Afur), the 275 (La Laguna bus station – Las Carboneras – Taborno) and the 273, which climbs from La Laguna bus station to Cruz del Carmen in about 30 minutes and only runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The Tenerife ON listings add the 077 and 274. Turismo de Tenerife's viewpoint page says there is no stop; TITSA and the Cabildo say there is, and they run it.

Mist and what to wear

Turismo de Tenerife puts it well: the trade winds load Anaga's high ground with moisture, and in the laurel forest around Cruz del Carmen mist and cool air are common even when Santa Cruz is sunny. From autumn to spring it gives 12 to 20 °C up high. Bring a light warm layer, a waterproof, footwear fit for steep ground and water. And if you drop to the coast afterwards, sunscreen: it is usually warmer down there.

Cruz del Carmen or the whole of Anaga

This page is only about Cruz del Carmen: what is there, when it opens and what starts from it. If you want to build a full day, with El Pijaral, Taganana and the Benijo beaches, see the Anaga in a day guide.

Anaga in a day from the north

Where

Carretera Las Mercedes (TF-12), km 22.5, La Laguna

Centre hours

9:30–16:00; Jul–Sep 9:30–15:00

Closed

24, 25, 31 Dec; 1, 6 Jan

Parking

yes, with a coach area and 1 accessible space

Bus

stop 2232; lines 076, 273 (weekends) and 275

Booking for the trails

no

Phone

+34 922 633 576

From Finca Julia

Anaga is at the north-eastern tip and the house is in the north-west, so Cruz del Carmen is a day trip with an early start. You go up via La Laguna. It can be done without a car: TITSA has lines between Icod and Santa Cruz, and the buses to Cruz del Carmen leave from La Laguna bus station. Check the timetables first: the 273 only runs at weekends and on public holidays, and the changes make for a long day.

The Tenerife trails that need a permit

Frequently asked questions

What time does the Cruz del Carmen visitor centre open?

At 9:30 every day. It closes at 16:00, except in July, August, September and from 21 December to 9 January, when it closes at 15:00.

Where do you park at Cruz del Carmen?

In the parking area beside the visitor centre. A nearby alternative is the Mirador de Zapata, with 8 spaces.

Do you need to book the Sendero de los Sentidos?

No. Its official listings state free access without booking for visitors.

What can you see from the Cruz del Carmen viewpoint?

The Vega Lagunera and the city of La Laguna, a World Heritage Site, with Teide in the distance if the mist does not hide it.