La Guancha
The town centre of La Guancha is full of chapels and shrines (Santo Domingo, Santa Catalina, San Lucas, El Calvario…), each more beautiful than the next. In addition to these lovely buildings, another must-see in the area is the rock pool of Charca del Viento, which is made of lava. The recreational area of El Pinalete is also perfect for a family day in the countryside.
La Guancha is a municipality in northern Tenerife, between San Juan de la Rambla, Icod de los Vinos and La Orotava. It spans 23.78 km2 (9.18 sq miles) all the way from the slopes of Mount Teide down to the sea. Most business in La Guancha is linked to the service sector, with small shops that add to the tourist options provided in Puerto de la Cruz.
The municipality's name (meaning the Guanche Woman) was inspired by a legend. As the story goes, a group of Spanish soldiers during the conquest came across a beautiful aborigine collecting water from a spring using a clay jug. The captain became besotted with the woman and ordered his soldiers to capture her. The Guanche woman chose to leap into the ravine to avoid being taken by the conquistadors. In her honour, the area where the municipality's historic quarter now stands is known as Fuente de La Guancha (the Guanche Woman's Spring). The story is also portrayed in the municipal coat of arms, where two women are seen holding a clay pot in their arms and a banner reads “Named after water and woman” in gold letters. The shield also shows Mount Teide and the forests that cover the hills of La Guancha.
One of the best ways to explore the natural surroundings of La Guancha is by bicycle. Exercise and nature lead cyclists on a tour around some of the most important sights in this municipality.
There are four routes from Casa de la Pradera
One climbs up to the camp site of Barranco de la Arena, then journeys back down along the Fuente Pedro track. Other routes go as far as the El Lagar recreational area towards the Arenas Negras Park, or up towards Las Montañetas to the Fuente Santa track, then back to the start. There is also a round trail to Casa de la Pradera-Icod el Alto-Casa de la Pradera, leading cyclists to the popular sights of Fuente del Barco and Los Campeches. The last track that sets off from Casa de la Pradera goes to La Tahona Park, then on towards Los Toboganes and El Pino Llorón. This route also follows a stretch of the El Tubo track towards Barranco de la Arena.
You will find another route in the area of Barranco de la Arena that takes you to La Caldera de La Orotava along the El Tubo track towards Chanajiga. There and back, the route covers roughly 20 km (12.4 miles). Another option is to start at El Lagar and cycle towards Llano del Hospital until you reach Chío along the TF-38 road. After 15 km (9.3 miles), take the track that leads to the Chinyero volcano and turn right at the first two crossroads. If you then turn left at the third crossroads you will be able to find your way back to El Lagar.