Water pump at the Cueva Honda in Malpaís de Güímar - Tenerife

Until the end of the 15th century, the Guanches of the menceyato of Güímar used this area as winter pasture .

After the conquest, livestock remained so extensive that today one can still see a few herds of goats passing through this nature reserve . Grazing has had a significant impact on the floristic heritage of this area and has, to a greater or lesser extent, changed the plant communities.

Subsequently, the periphery of the malpaís and even the slopes and interior of the crater of Montaña Grande were plowed for agriculture. The numerous terraces, the stone walls, the irrigation network (pipes and conduits and pumps ) and a series of ponds and water tanks spread around the periphery of the area, as well as some fig trees that have managed to survive to this day, testify to this activity, which is now largely abandoned.

The Cueva Honda water well is located in the area, but it appears that it has now become salinized due to marine intrusion and is therefore unusable.

willem vandenameele