Routes around the municipality
The centre of Candelaria is a lovely town to amble through and take in its wealth of artistic heritage. Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias is an excellent starting point from which to head out on an excursion to the caves of Achbinico and Los Camellos, or to simply sit in while admiring the sculptures of the Guanche kings as the waves break in the ocean behind them. The basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria and the Dominican Monastery are compulsory stops on your quest to understand the municipality's cultural importance. On your way to the neighbourhood of Santa Ana, near the Casa Cabildo (the old town hall), you can visit the Church of Santa Ana and the pottery centre of “Casa de las Miquelas”. To round off your tour of Candelaria's historic quarter, take a walk along the pedestrianised street of Obispo Pérez Cáceres and the promenade with its variety of cafés and restaurants overlooking the sea.
Trails in the municipality
The steep slopes of the Chacorche ravine, its gulleys and well make water the key element all along the trail, which is intermediate-low in difficulty. The footpath starts at Plaza de Ajoreña in Igueste de Candelaria and follows Calle Los Revolcadores up to a dirt track. Tabaibas make up most of the greenery until the trail fully enters into Corona Forestal Natural Park, where Canarian pines take over. At the end of the trail, after some 4.5 km (2.8 miles), you will come to the Chacorche gulley. The trail of La Mesa is suitable for beginners and affords wonderful panoramic views over the Valley of Güímar. The trail starts at the La Florida ravine, in the town of Araya, and one of the sights hikers will find on their way is Casa de la Mesa, a 19th century building.
The trail of Lomo El Centeno, for intermediate level hikers, reveals some of Tenerife's most typical species of flora and fauna. This round trip leads all the way to the Protected Nature Area of Las Lagunetas and covers 5.7 km (3.5 miles). Another round trip, though on an intermediate-high difficulty trail, is Los Brezos, which passes through Corona Forest Natural Park and reveals some highly significant elements of the area's agricultural activity outside the park. For those who are less accustomed to hiking or who simply wish to enjoy the coastal landscape of Candelaria, the Samarines trail is a perfect option. Running parallel to the cliff, the trail crosses black sandy beaches and passes a series of blowholes. It sets off from the old town hall of Candelaria and comes to the cliff of Risco de la Magdalena and the Samarines ravine. The walk then turns back along the same trail for roughly 2 km (1.2 miles) to Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias. Other trails you can take are El Rincón, which is just 1.4 km (0.8 miles) long, and El Moralito, both of which are very popular among the hikers who visit Candelaria.