The visit to the borough of Arucas takes in part of the borough’s long stretch of coast, which runs from the mouth of the Tinoca ravine, in Costa Ayala, to the mouth of the Azuaje ravine, in San Andrés.
This coastal section has some very attractive places to see, such as Cueva de Los Pollos in Tinoca, La Cala de la Cebolla, La Burgaera, Cuevas del Guincho, El Medrano, Las Salinas del Bufadero, Punta Camello, El Puertillo, Los Charcones, Quintanilla and San Andrés.
The aim is to visit Punta de Arucas, a point where the borough reaches into the sea after the build-up of a stretch of lava. If you go to the end of the point you can see the lava that flowed from the Cardones volcano more than 500,000 years ago.
Start the walk in the town centre of Cardones, which you can reach on a number 210 Global bus. You’ll end up on the coast in the area of Granja del Cabildo (a publicly run agricultural holding), after walking about six kilometres.
As well as the views of the coast, you’ll come to some delightful areas such as the bed of the Cardones ravine, with its palm groves and old irrigation structures for watering banana crops, where you can experience the history of the sugar mills in Arucas.
If you prefer, you can take a shorter route to Punta de Arucas. Simply leave the northern road at the industrial area of Montaña Blanca and Rosa Silva. As you exit, you’ll see a dirt track that goes through a tunnel under the road. When you come out of the tunnel, go right and take a dirt track up towards some cottages and more substantial dwellings.
When you reach the houses, you’ll know you’re close to the beach. Simply go down some stone steps built by the locals to access the swimming holes. After stopping for a dip, continue the walk while you enjoy the geological features along the way, such as a crevice opened up on the point by erosion. Behind you there’s an example of columnar jointing: a series of columns above a large cave.
From this area continue on the next path, which will take just above the flat area of Punta de Arucas. Head towards a cross erected as a memorial to a fisherman who died nearby.
As you walk on the point you’ll see recent volcanic lava that’s very well preserved. Look for a mast with a red flag on top, the start of the path that goes along the entire coast. Continue on to the next place of interest, a paleontological site known as La Carrasqueña, where you can see a palaeo beach and remains of malacological fauna from more than 500,000 years ago.
After passing some abandoned crop land on the coastal track, you’ll come to this area, where you’ll also find an old saltworks made from stone and mud. You can look for fossil remains in La Carrasqueña, a raised white sand beach where the sea level once reached (in the Quaternary). This explains the malacological fauna, particularly the limpets and snails, as well as extinct species.
When you come to a farm property, take the dirt track that goes up on the left to the sealed road, at the bridge at La Granja del Cabildo, in Bañaderos, where you’ll find a Global bus stop.
You’ll have walked three kilometres along the coast in about one hour, without counting the time for stops and a quick dip.
Book on hiking “caminando por Arucas”
The Arucas Council has published a book on hiking, called Caminando por Arucas (Walking around Arucas), with seven walks to help you discover the borough.
This well presented book deals with the climate, terrain, flora and fauna, and the history of Arucas and the seven places to visit: Riquiánez, Lomo Jurgón, Presas del Pinto, La Punta de Arucas, La Costa, Barranco de Tenoya and Barranco de Los Palmitos.
Environmental group Turcón-Ecologistas en Acción congratulates the authors and the council on their initiative in publishing this book.
