SL TF 292 Samarines

Technical information

• Start: Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias
• Finish: La Viuda Beach
• Approval status: Approved
• Degree of difficulty: Low
• Type of trail: Linear
• Distance: 2 km (12.89 ft)
• Duration: 1 hour
• Highest altitude: 45 m (12.89 ft)
• Lowest altitude: 1 m (12.89 ft)
• Elevation gain: 136 m (12.89 ft)
• Elevation loss: 137 m (12.89 ft)
• Authorisation required: No

Trail description

The trail through the landscape of Samarines is a doorway to the rural coastline, dominated by the rocks, the sea and the vegetation. Every step leads us to discover and enjoy something new about the the coast of Candelaria on a journey through some of the best kept scenery on Tenerife's coast. Past beaches, cliffs, intertidal rocks, blowholes, clusters of tabaibas, shellfishing, fishing and more, the trail runs parallel to the cliff edge, meaning the sea and the cliff itself will be your faithful travel companions. In historical terms, the trail is linked to the communication that went on between the coastal towns of Candelaria, Arafo and Güímar, and the so-called "Mariano Triangle", formed by the places where the Virgin of La Candelaria was said to have appeared and was traditionally worshipped, even before the Spanish conquest. Although the start of the trail varies depending on the point where the hiker chooses to join it, we have decided to describe the trail from Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias. From there, climb the steps at the side to the old Town Hall of Candelaria. Once you get there, the signs will lead you along the Risco de La Magdalena ridge towards the upper area of La Cueva de San Blas. This point offers a rarely seen perspective of the eastern side of the municipality and the back of the Basilica, the Dominican Convent and the Chapel of San Blas. From here, the trail runs parallel to the cliff edge, with seagulls (Larus cachinnans atlantis), shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) and swifts (Apus sp.) flying overhead. You will also be caressed by the refreshing trade winds and lulled by the sound of the waves breaking against the cliffs below. The most abundant botanical species here include sweet tabaibas (Euphorbia balsamifera), salados (Schizogyne sericea) and sea fennel (Astydamia latifolia). You will then come to the Samarines ravine, where the trail turns into a small path that heads down down to the Samarines beach, then back up along the basalt rock side of the ravine, where fragments of pumice stone are mixed with scoria and fossil soils. The beach's most unique feature is its seasonality, with its composition varying from sand to pebbles at different times of year. As the trail drifts away from the cliff top, the vegetation becomes gradually more sparse due to the large pumice stone deposits in El Toscal de La Viuda, which contrast with the black colour of the basalt cliffs. Clusters of sweet tabaibas share this location with some bitter tabaibas (Euphorbia obtusifolia), which line the trail down to the beach of La Viuda. From there, you will be steered back to Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, with the chance to take in new views of the coast of Candelaria as you go.

Hypsometry