Add a review about the Laurel forests on Tenerife

The Laurel Forest of Laurisilva in Tenerife evokes a long series of magical fantasy associations in a man with at least some developed imagination . Fog, prehistoric trees, twisting branches over your head like a vault of a mysterious forest cathedral, garlands of succulent green moss hanging from them - it seems, at any second here the elves of Tolkien may seem to be . Actually, if somewhere immortal creatures are buried, it is here: the forest of laurisilva is several millennia old; he appeared at a time when there were no people on earth . Today this rareest relic forest was brought by UNESCO to the World Heritage List .

Laurisilva is in the mountains of Anaga, on the peninsula of the same name in northern Tenerife, where much cooler and more rain falls. Such subtropical forests grow usually in zones with high humidity and moderate temperature. They remain evergreen all year round

Such forests are only a few places on our planet and have been preserved since the Jurassic period; and at that time they covered the entire south of Europe.

Such forests are only a few places on our planet and have been preserved since the Jurassic period; but in fact at that time they covered the whole south of Europe. In particular, laurisilva grows on the island of La Gomera. The forest in the Anaga mountain range is 500-1000 m high and consists mainly of broad-leaved laurel trees - a total of about 20 plant species. The earth is carpeted with a thick carpet of vegetation, ferns are constantly green on permanently moist soil, stones and trunks are covered with a moist lichen

On the TF-12 route there is a stunning "La Hardina" mirador. Stunning is not only the view from down to the valley, but also by its location on the forest road: the highway here makes an almost full loop around the colorful low cliff with a green hat.

There are many hiking trails with signs in the forest. In particular, one of them leads to the northernmost tip of Tenerife, Anaga lighthouse. Following this road, travelers will be rewarded with beautiful views of the ocean and mountains. Other trails pass more often than forests. There is also a tourist parking, where you can rest. And the most hardy can finish the route near the village of Taganana: it is small but colorful

Lavra forests

Practical information

Through the forest in the Anaga mountains leads the route TF-12. If you do not plan to walk in the woods for too long, you can combine it with an excursion to the summit of Teide. Going up to the volcano on the highway from the south, you will go down the only road, continuing to move north, straight through the forest.

Keep in mind that it is much cooler here than in the resorts of the southern part of the island. In addition, the road is sometimes unpaved, and the asphalt is slippery due to the constant drizzle.