From the sky to the sea: PR®-TF 10 from Cruz Del Carmen to Punta Del Hidalgo

Departure from the "Cruz del Carmen" site. PR®-TF 10 route, yellow and white signposts.

(S) After going to the back of the car park to enjoy the viewpoint and the guide's house, head back towards the road. The starting point of the PR®-TF 10 is on the right at the corner of the restaurant. It descends via steps into a humid forest, arriving at a crossroads at the end of a muddy descent (be careful of slippery ground!).

(1) Continue straight ahead on the PR®-TF 10 until you reach an isolated hut and a paved path.

(2) Turn left towards "Chinamada". You will arrive on the TF-145 road.

(3) Cross it and continue straight ahead towards the few houses (on the right).

(4) Pass between the houses and gardens, then continue straight ahead, cross the road again and arrive at the foot of a rocky outcrop near a transformer and a possible fork towards "Las Carbonaras". This alternative route adds 1.1 kilometres to the original journey (in both cases, you will arrive at the village of Chinamara).

(5) Turn left. Keeping to the original route, after passing a pretty white sheepfold resembling a hacienda, follow a dirt track that climbs gently up to Chinamara. The first superb views of the valley come into view.

(6) Follow the road to the left. After visiting the chapel and restaurant in this charming village, you will come to a fork.

(7) Make a round trip to the viewpoints "el roque de los pinos" and "aguaide".

(8) Retrace your steps back to the main route.

(7) Turn right and enjoy a complete change of scenery: from the pristine, humid forest, you will find yourself on the arid canyon side. The vegetation changes, with cacti replacing trees. Lizards and butterflies appear. You will arrive at a balcony-like section on the side of the cliff (some passages are vertiginous but not dangerous).

(9) Continue along the trail. You will arrive at the seaside, at the top of the cliffs, with breathtaking views. You will then begin the final descent, in an S-shape, to the bottom of the canyon.

(10) Once you are flat at the bottom of the canyon, continue along a rocky path (watch your ankles) to leave the valley and arrive at the seaside.

(11) You will reach the end of the hiking trail and climb back up to the beach towards the village via a small road suitable for vehicles, passing a few abandoned buildings and scenery that is not as pretty as before. At the end of the road, turn left towards the terminus of buses 50 and 105, in a sort of cul-de-sac, at a large roundabout.

(12) Continue along the road towards the town centre until you reach a large roundabout at the entrance to the shops.

(13) Turn right at the corner and go down the street to the sea. At the end, turn right if you want to enjoy the Altagay swimming pool complex (entrance fee). Retrace your steps before walking along the coast to the El Arenisco natural swimming pool, then return to your car (E).

This hike is not offered as a loop. You will therefore need to park your car at the end of the hike, in Punta Del Hidalgo by the sea, and then take the bus back up to Cruz Del Carmen, the starting point of the hike.

Either you don't want to end the hike with a swim (El Arenisco natural pool or Anagay paid pool), in which case you leave your car at the point (12) (terminus of buses 50 and 105)... or you want to go all the way and park your car near the arrival point on the map.

Once you have parked your car, take the TITSA 50 or 105 bus from Punta Del Hidalgo to the "Las Canteras" stop (25 stops and a 50-minute journey). Then take the connecting bus on the opposite side of the road, 30 metres further up, for example line 275 which goes from "Las Canteras" to "Cruz Del Carmen" (8 stops and a 20-minute journey).

In July 2025, the total cost for both bus journeys was less than £2 per person, with regular buses and an "easy" connection.

Cruz Del Carmen, in addition to offering a superb panoramic view of the island, is the starting point for many interesting hikes.

The forest where the hike begins is remarkably beautiful and rich in biodiversity. It is part of the Anaga Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.