The TF-12 ridge road is narrow and winding with occasional tunnels. It is fully paved and safe at a calm pace, but not ideal for very nervous drivers.
1-Day Anaga & La Laguna Road Trip from Tenerife North
Route Overview
A one-day drive from Tenerife North Airport into the island's oldest mountains, where cloud forest clings to razor ridges and a UNESCO colonial city glows in pastel.
Natural Beauty
Cultural Sites
Perfect for Couples
La Laguna and Anaga: Tenerife's Green North by Car
Most visitors fly south and never see the Tenerife that locals love most. This one-day loop from Tenerife North Airport crosses the UNESCO colonial city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, with its pastel mansions and university buzz, and climbs into the Anaga Rural Park, where ancient laurel forests drip with moss on ridges so sharp they look sculpted by hand. The road through Anaga twists and tunnels through the peaks, delivering viewpoints over both coasts, and drops to the isolated hamlet of Taganana and its black-sand beach. It is the green, wild, forgotten side of an island most people associate only with beach resorts. An Abbycar rental from Tenerife North Airport puts La Laguna five minutes away and the cloud forest within thirty.
View route on map
Starting Station: Tenerife North Airport
Trip Duration: 1 days
Mileage Distance: 80 km
Perfect For: Nature Lovers, Hiking, Culture Lovers, Photography
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Reddit Reviews
· Anaga's laurel forest is described as an ancient, magical world unlike anything else on the island.
· La Laguna's UNESCO old town surprises visitors expecting only beach resort Tenerife.
· The mountain views from the Cruz del Carmen mirador are called stunning.
· The drive through the Anaga tunnels and ridges is thrilling for confident drivers.
· Taganana's fish restaurants are praised for their freshness and remote coastal setting.
· The Anaga roads are narrow, steep and winding; not for nervous drivers.
· Cloud and fog frequently obscure the forest viewpoints.
· Parking at popular trailheads fills quickly on weekends.
· Taganana's access road requires attentive driving on tight switchbacks.
Sentiment is very positive among nature lovers who rate Anaga as Tenerife's best-kept secret.
👍 84 % positive|👎 16 % negative
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Where To Stop
Recommended Stops in Anaga & La Laguna
Five stops from UNESCO streets to cloud-forest ridge.
1
First stop
San Cristóbal de La Laguna (UNESCO)
Tenerife's former capital was the model for colonial cities across Latin America. Its grid of pastel-painted mansions, carved balconies and university plazas earned UNESCO status in 1999. The covered market and the cathedral are highlights, and the cafe scene has a genuine student energy.
Based on 1672 reviews
(4.5/5)
2
Second stop
Cruz del Carmen Mirador
At 920 metres, this viewpoint in the heart of Anaga offers panoramic views over the north coast and into the cloud forest. The visitor centre provides trail maps and information on the park's flora and fauna. Several marked trails depart from here.
Based on 83 reviews
(4.4/5)
3
Third stop
Anaga Laurel Forest Walk
The ancient laurisilva forest that covers Anaga's upper ridges is a relic of the Tertiary era, draped in moss and lichen. Short and long marked trails thread through it, with the Sendero de los Sentidos (Trail of the Senses) being the most accessible. The humidity and filtered light create an atmosphere unlike any other hike on the island.
4
Fourth stop
Taganana Village
This cliff-side hamlet tumbles down a green valley to the sea, surrounded by terraced vineyards and palm trees. The two fish restaurants by the beach serve the catch grilled over open coals. The drive down from the ridge is dramatic and the village itself feels a century removed from the resorts.
Based on 545 reviews
(4.5/5)
5
Fifth stop
Playa de Benijo
A wild, black-sand beach beneath towering sea stacks, Benijo is Anaga's most dramatic coastal setting. The waves can be powerful, making swimming risky, but the visual drama and the emptiness are the draw. Come for late-afternoon light on the rocks.
Based on 618 reviews
(4.6/5)
Practical answers for the Tenerife north drive
Anaga & La Laguna FAQs
Fog is common and part of the atmosphere. If viewpoints are obscured, enjoy the forest walks, which are beautiful in mist. Skies often clear by afternoon.
At least two hours for the old town, market and a cafe stop. Many travellers wish they had given it a full morning.
Taganana's beach has calmer areas for careful swimming. Benijo is rough and best admired. Ask locally about current conditions.
The driving alone is about two hours. With La Laguna, a forest walk, lunch in Taganana and Benijo, plan a full day.
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