02. Arenas Negras

Technical information

• Start: El Portillo Visitors Centre
• Finish: El Portillo Visitors Centre
• Approval status: Not officially approved
• Degree of difficulty: Intermediate
• Type of trail: Circular
• Distance: 7.6 km (12.89 ft)
• Duration: 3 hours
• Highest altitude: 2,304 m (12.89 ft)
• Lowest altitude: 2,038 m (12.89 ft)
• Elevation gain: 369 m (12.89 ft)
• Elevation loss: 356 m (12.89 ft)
• Links to other trails:
  • 1. La Fortaleza
  • 4. Siete Cañadas
  • 37. Cerrillar - Carnicería
  • GR-131 Anaga - Chasna. Stretch: La Caldera Recreation Area - El Portillo
  • GR-131 Anaga - Chasna. Stretch: El Portillo - Degollada de Guajara
• Protected Nature Areas:
  • Teide National Park
• Authorisation required: No

Trail description

The trail climbs upwards bordering the El Cerrillar Mountain, surrounded by broom bushes which have set their roots into the pumice covered ground. At the top, the trail provides a breathtaking view of the National Park and of the Llano de Maja plain. From here, you will probably be able to witness the effect of the trade winds pushing the clouds up the Valley of La Orotava to create a fluffy white blanket below you. You might also glimpse the island of La Palma, as well as the Izaña astronomy observatory and weather station to the east. The descent takes you down the outside of the crater and past the Arenas Negras volcanoes, a series of lapilli cones with sparse vegetation. Please take care on this stretch as the slope is as steep as 60% in some places. The path leads to Siete Cañadas (trail number 4), which takes you back to the El Portillo Visitors Centre. The most abundant plantlife on the trail consists of broom bushes, laburnums, summit roses and flixweed. In terms of wildlife, you are likely to see chiffchaffs, kestrels and Berthelot's pipits in the flatter areas.

Hypsometry