Above Masca – through three climate zones of Canary pines to the mysterious laurel forest

This circular walk of about 8 kilometers takes us through the rugged mountain landscape above Masca, in the middle of the Parque Rural de Teno. Despite the limited distance, it is not a simple stroll. Especially at the beginning, we have to overcome quite a bit of elevation and later, in the forest, we will still be climbing regularly. What makes this walk particularly special is the enormous variety: within a few kilometers, we walk through landscapes that hardly seem to belong together.

We start among the Canary pines. These trees are excellently adapted to the relatively dry climate and can capture moisture from mist and low-hanging clouds with their long needles. The small droplets of water collect on the needles and then fall to the ground, where the water can reach the roots. This phenomenon is also known as horizontal precipitation and plays an important role in the water supply for the vegetation on the Canary Islands. The Canary pine is also particularly resistant to drought and even to wildfires.

As we climb higher, the forest becomes more open and more panoramic views appear. On clear days, we see the Teide rising above the landscape, while the rugged volcanic ridges of the Teno massif draw attention closer by. Teno is one of the oldest parts of Tenerife and has been significantly worn down by erosion over millions of years. This has created the spectacular landscape of deep ravines, sharp ridges, and steep slopes that we see here today.

Once at height, we follow a beautiful path along and over the high ridge. Here the views become increasingly spectacular. Deep below lies the Masca valley, squeezed between the steep mountain walls, while towards the coast, the enormous cliffs of Los Gigantes become visible. On clear days, La Gomera also appears on the horizon. This is the part of the walk where we regularly stop, not because the path is so tough, but simply because the view calls for it.

After that, the landscape changes again. We reach the wetter side of the Teno massif, where the trade winds push clouds against the mountains. The moist air cools down and regularly forms mist and low-hanging clouds. It is precisely because of this that monteverde can grow here, with the most remarkable part being the ancient laurel forest – laurisilva. This type of subtropical forest used to be much more widespread around the Mediterranean millions of years ago, but today can mainly be found on a few islands of Macaronesia. In the Teno massif, these moist forests are among the most special ecosystems of Tenerife.

The difference from the open mountain landscape just earlier can hardly be greater. We suddenly walk among intricately shaped trees, ferns, and trunks covered with thick layers of moss. At times, we even walk through the clouds, which gives the forest an almost mysterious atmosphere. The trade winds here do not only provide ordinary rain: the vegetation also captures huge amounts of moisture directly from mist and clouds. Research in the laurel forests of Teno and Anaga shows that this horizontal precipitation can be a very important supplement to ordinary rainfall.

Even in this enchanting forest, we still have to climb and descend regularly before we finally return to the starting point. In just eight kilometers, we have seen a strikingly large number of different landscapes: from Canary pine forest to an open volcanic ridge and finally the moist laurel forest. The large differences in altitude, wind, cloud cover, and humidity ensure that within the Parque Rural de Teno, totally different microclimates and ecosystems occur over very short distances.

For us, it is precisely this variation that is the highlight of this walk. One moment we are walking in the sun with a view of Teide, Masca, and La Gomera, and moments later we disappear among moss-covered trees in the clouds. A beautiful journey that shows that Tenerife is much more than just sun, lava, and volcanoes.

Practical information

• Distance: approximately 8 km
• Parking: There are some parking spaces at the starting point (side street TF-82).
• Elevation gain: over 300 meters, with a steep climb especially at the beginning
• Area: Parque Rural de Teno, above Masca
• Character: mountain paths, ridges, pine forest, and moist laurel forest
• Difficulty level: moderate to challenging due to elevation differences
• Highlights: views of Masca, Los Gigantes, Teide, and La Gomera on clear days
• Notes: large differences in climate; sunny weather can quickly turn into mist and low-hanging clouds. Bringing an extra layer of clothing is therefore wise.