A nature walk in the dramatic Barranco de Badajoz, Guimar

Looking up the barranco as it narrows.

I have wanted to visit the Barranco de Badajoz for a long time as I was aware of its historical interest and biodiversity. However I always thought it was a rather short walk for my energetic walking friends, and too difficult underfoot for my less active friends. However, I was proved wrong on both counts when I finally visited it on Saturday, 19th March.

Approaching the canal bridge across the barranco after which the path becomes very rough

The Barranco de Badajoz is known historically for being the last stronghold of the resisting guanche population after the spanish invasion. However, I was interested more in the wide range of interesting and endemic plants that grow there. Usually such a barranco would be extremely difficult to walk up, due to large boulders, etc, but this was not the case until the last 100m or so before the end point where the barranco becomes almost vertical some hundreds of metres high.

The lush greenery where a side ravine joins the main barranco.

 

The path up the barranco is a driveable (4×4) track for a great part of the way, and then becomes an easy sand/gravel path until you reach a decaying and unused concrete water channel bridge overhead just below the Galeria Izana. Only then does the path deteriorate to a rubbly scramble through bramble bushes till you reach a very narrow gorge, only a couple of metres at its narrowest, where the cascade chain begins.

The final end to the trail, the narrow gorge through which the water gushes after a near vertical fall of 2-300m.

 

We began our walk from near the church in the village of San Juan in the Guimar valley where there are a number of parking places and a nice friendly little bar for our end of walk drinks. However, if we had wanted to shorten the walk further we could have driven a further kilometre to park on the side of the barranco itself, or even further than that.

A rare Canary endemic broom Teline osyroides

 

On entering the barranco it is fairly wide, with small farms either side on the slopes. Gradually as you walk up the barranco sides close in and get steeper and the farms get fewer and then disappear. Half way up the barranco is a concrete and cobbled ramp which takes you past a gallery entrance on the left and through a narrow gorge on a bend in the barranco. Afterwards the barranco widens again but from this point on, the richness of the plant life and the breathtaking scenery are amazing.

Flowers and leaves of Atlantic Island Buckthorn – Sanguino – (Rhamnus glandulosa)

Immediately after the gorge there is a group of evergreen small trees including Atlantic Islands buckthorn – Sanguino in spanish -(Rhamnus glandulosa), Spiny Buckthorn – Espinero – (Rhamnus crenulata), Canary maytenus – Peralillo – (Maytenus canariensis), and mixed in with them some Wild Olive (Olea europea). Also luxuriant growth of shrubs and climbers such as Shrubby Burnet – (Bencomia caudata), Forest Bindweed – Corregüelón de monte – (Convolvulus canariensis) and Madder – Azaigo de risco (Rubia peregrina ssp agostinhoi).

Canary Maytenus (Maytenus canariensis) and its fruits

At the sides of the path and tracks can be found Pinnate Rue (Ruta pinnata), False sages (Sideritis oroteneriffae), Viper’s Buglosses of two species (Echium virescens) and (Echium strictum), an endemic broom (Teline osyroides) and Canary St Johns Wort (Hypericum canariensis) among many other things.

Rough-leaved bugloss (Echium strictum) in a mass of vegetation – another Canary endemic

 

 

 

 

 

On the steep slopes are forests of ferns, lots of native sow thistles (Sonchus sp.), native Cinerarias (Pericallis sp.) and so much more. Even in the luxuriant brambles near the end of the trail an endemic of the stinging nettle family can be found (Urtica morifolia).

Pinnate Rue – Ruta pinnata – a Canary endemic.

The walk took us 3.5 hours at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to look at the plants. We walked 8.5 km / just over 5 miles and climbed approximately 310m on a gentle incline. As mentioned above, starting the walk 1km further on, and finishing a little sooner could have reduced the distance by 2-3 km, and, as it is a there and back walk one can walk as little or as much as desired. However, I do recommend going past the concrete and cobble ramp and through the gorge to see the best biodiversity.

The flowers of Shrubby Burnet (Bencomia caudata), a Macronesian (Atlantic islands) endemic

You can find various walks to the Barranco de Badajoz on the wikiloc.com site to help you get to the beginning.  Clearly the higher reaches of the barranco with high vertical cliffs does not lend itself to accurate GPS tracks.

Vicia cirrhosa – an annual vetch which scrambles over other shrubs is another Canary endemic

A couple of walks in the laurel forests of Anaga

I have been busy lately and not had a lot of time to write about some walks I have done recently, but I am just going to share some photos of the scenery and flowers.

Forest bindweed (Convolvulus canariensis), a Canary endemic which grows in the laurel forests

Woundwort – (Stachys ocymastrum) seen on the edge of the forest area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canary Arum Lily (Dracunculus canariensis) a Canary endemic, beside the path. The large white spathes are past their best, and drooping, but it is a remarkable plant.

A Cleopatra butterfly (Gonepteryx cleopatra) feeding on Pitch trefoil (Psoralea bituminosa). The Cleopatras are spectacular large yellow butterflies, but very difficult to photograph with their wings open. Lots of them were flying in sunny spots in the forest and at the forest edges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers and buds of Climbing butcher’s broom (Semele androgyna). The flowers, and later the berries, are on the edges of what looks like leaves, but are actually modified stems, or cladodes. This species is a Macronesian (Atlantic Islands) endemic associated with laurel forests.

Annual houseleek (Aichryson laxum ), another Canary endemic associated with the laurel forest, liking shade and damp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canary Guelder rose (Viburnum rigidum), a Canary endemic common in the laurel forests

An open area of the Pista de las Hiedras (Ivy Lane!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large-leaved St John’s wort (Hypericum grandifolium), a Macronesian endemic associated with laurel forests

A view of the rugged landscape of Anaga

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Canary speckled wood butterfly (Pararge xiphioides). They are very plentiful in the dappled sunshine in the woods

Anaga sow-thistle (Sonchus congestus). A Canary endemic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canary Figwort (Scrophularia smithii). A canary endemic

Capitana (Phyllis nobla). A Macronesian endemic associated with laurel forests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Tree Heath (Erica scoparia)- Tejo in spanish. Very common in the exposed ridges and edges of the laurel forest

The walks I took to see these delightful and very special plants can be found at the following links.  The first one is a very easy walk, suitable for people who do not do much walking, which lasted 1.5 hours. The second was longer, taking just over 4 hours, with more climbing and descent, but still not a particularly arduous walk for those used to walking.  Both walks can have slippery surfaces, especially on slopes, when damp (very frequently in these forests!), so good footwear with good grip, and sticks if you use them, are advisable.

http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=6444196

 

http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=4547100

 

A circular walk from Santiago del Teide with plenty of flowers

Several flowering shrubs of Lesser White Bugloss (Echium aculeatum), an endemic of the Western Canary Islands

 

I walked this route with a few friends last Wednesday, 23rd April, and the area was so green and so many flowers were out that I had to blog about it. Some of the flowers were the local endemics, others were common mediterranean plants, but they all were a delight.

Retama bush (Retama rhodorhizoides) in full flower. The scent is gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We set off from the barbecue park on the edge of Santiago del Teide, near the church, along the road in the direction of Erjos and the north. We passed the turning to Valle de Arriba and continued along the main road to the next corner where we took the footpath up the hill. As we approached the footpath we could already see lots of bushes of Lesser white bugloss (Echium aculeatum) an endemic of the western Canary Islands, and Retama (Retama rhodorhizoides) bushes, both covered in white flowers. The Retama is also a Canary endemic.

The view back towards Santiago del Teide from half-way up the initial climb

The footpath started uphill gently and in shade, but soon got steeper, and out in the sun, so we had a few stops to admire the view and look at wildlife. We heard a Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara koenigi) repeatedly giving an unusual call, a loud note rising at the end, which we think must have been a mating call. We looked where it was coming from and were amazed to see the Partridge in the branches of a dead shrub. I have never seen one standing on anything other than the ground, and only leaving that in flight very reluctantly when feeling threatened.

A Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara koenigi) on the branches of a dead shrub

 

 

 

Shortly afterwards we saw the first of numerous Small Copper butterflies (Lycaena phlaeas). During the course of the walk we also saw lots of other butterflies, including Canary Red Admirals, Canary Blues and Small Whites.

Small Copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas) on a Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

 

 

 

 

Roof houseleek (Aeonium urbicum var meridionale), another Canary endemic found only on Tenerife in the Teno and Santiago del Teide area

 

 

As we climbed we saw one specimen of the Roof Houseleek (Aeonium urbicum var meridionale) in flower. It only grows in the Santiago del Teide and Teno area, with lots growing on the lava flows (malpais) around Arguayo, but this one was on its own.

A view of Teide from the track down from Mt Gala

 

 

The path reaches the end of a track, but continues upwards to the ridge where some superb views of Teno can be seen, but we went right, walking along the track which winds its way around the slopes of Mt Gala with its fire watchtower and communications masts on top. The track reaches a narrow tarmac access track on a ridge. This is the access to the masts and tower on Mt Gala, and runs down a ridge which marks a watershed between the north and south of Tenerife. It is noticeably greener on the northern side, due to more rain from the north-easterly prevailing winds. We turned right to descend the track till we were not far from the main road, before turning left down a very old, partly cobbled footpath down towards the Erjos lakes. At the bottom we turned right to go up to the main road again, joining it near to the Restaurant Fleytas. Taking this little diversion avoided walking along the main road on some dangerous bends.

Cineraria (Pericallis echinata) another Canary endemic

 

We walked on the main road a short way, past the Restaurant Fleytas, took the road to the left after the bus-stop and turned left again before the first house, onto a concrete track. This took us down and then up past some cultivated fields. The field edges, and some uncultivated areas were awash with wildflowers such as Common poppies (Papaver rhoeas), Tangier peas (Lathyrus tingitanus), and Lathyrus articulatus, with Milk thistles (Silybum marianum) and many other vetches and other common flowers.

Tangier pea (Lathyrus tingitanus) was abundant on the northern side of the watershed

 

The concrete road joins the road to San Jose de los Llanos, we turned left along it for a short distance till we reached a roundabout by the newly completed rural museum which is still not opened. Here we turned right and immediately right again to go around a very fine large pine tree and along a track around Mt Tamaseche. The track runs parallel but higher than the road for a while before turning to the south. The track had lots of flowers either side including the Tree Sow-thistle (Sonchus canariensis) which is common in this area, the Pine Cistus (Cistus symphytifolius), with its large papery pink flowers, Tree heaths, (Erica arborea) and Sticky broom (Adenocarpus foliosus), a Canary endemic. We stopped for our lunch on a bend in the track overlooking the lovely fertile valley of Valle de Arriba.

Lathyrus articulatus, another plant of the sweet pea family which was abundant on this walk

 

After this bend the landscape was more south facing and noticeably more open, although the uncultivated fields were still very green, but in places had a haze of carmine in them. Closer examination identified the carmine haze as carpets of Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus) in amongst the grass.

Field Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus) is common in the fields above Valle de Arriba

 

The track goes through a narrow gap where it is a bit rough underfoot and not long after there is a track junction where we went right. This goes through an area with a lot of fig trees in fields which are largely uncultivated, but are full of wildflowers. We passed just one group of yellow-flowered shrubs of the broom family. I have seen them before and believe them to be Teline stenopetala, a macronesian endemic which is more common in the north of the island.

Atlantic Islands Whin (Teline stenopetala), a macronesian endemic

 

At a T-junction of tracks we turned right and soon met the tarmac road which goes to the shrine above Valle de Arriba. We turned right to go down it, although some of us took a short-cut on the footpath lower down. Either way we walked down to the village of Valle de Arriba and through it back to Santiago del Teide.

At a T-junction of tracks we turned right and soon met the tarmac road which goes to the shrine above Valle de Arriba. We turned right to go down it, although some of us took a short-cut on the footpath lower down. Either way we walked down to the village of Valle de Arriba and through it back to Santiago del Teide.

The walk was 12.75 km / 7.9 mls long with 444m / 1458 ft of ascent and descent. It took us nearly 4.5 hours at a leisurely pace.

Another circular walk from Las Vegas, Granadilla de Abona

A view up the barranco with climbing cliffs on the left, and Mt Guajara in the distance on the right

I walked this route last Saturday, March 8th, and it was such a delight for all the flowers and scents, I had to blog about it. Las Vegas is a charming village in a very beautiful area of the south of Tenerife, and it is always lovely to walk there, but at this time of the year the flowers make it even more of a treat.

Canary Bryony (Bryonia verrucosa) with yellow flowers and round stripy fruits scrambling though an orange tree in full blossom

 

 

 

We started the walk from the bottom of the village, where the old Camino Real (Royal Road) enters and leaves the village. Caminos Reales were the modern highways of the sixteenth and seventeenth century, when the landowners, who were gifted the land in return for services rendered in the conquest of the island, were required by the Spanish crown to construct and maintain roads connecting the main towns and ports. The road goes up to Las Vegas, which seems now to be an insignificant village, because it was an important early settlement due to its prosperous farmland and good water supply. There are some fine old houses in the village, including one which is used as a Casa Rural for holidaymakers.

 

Leaving the barranco we passed this Canary whin (Teline canariensis) in full flower in front of a beautiful pine tree (Pinus canariensis)

We walked up through the village and straight on up a track that continues where the tarmac finishes. We passed a wrought iron gate on the left leading into a vineyard, and continued to the next turning left which had a chain across it suspended between 2 barrels filled with concrete. We squeezed past the barrels and walked the path down to the barranco streambed and across it following the cairn, and up the other side. The path is narrow and passes through flowering shrubs, including Tenerife Vipers bugloss (Echium virescens), Vinegrera (Rumex lunaria), Bitter spurge (Euphorbia lamarckii) and Canary madder (Rubia fruticosa). In the midst of this profusion is a small grove of neglected orange trees, which were covered in sweet-scented blossom. Growing over the orange trees and some of the other shrubs was the local Canary endemic Bryony (Bryonia verrucosa) with both flowers and fruits.

 

Canary vetch (Vicia cirrhosa), an endemic annual plant scrambling through a Narrow-leaved cistus plant (Cistus monspeliensis)

 

The path climbs out of the barranco past some rock cliffs used by local rock-climbers, and near the top the Canary endemic of the Broom family, Teline canariensis at the edge of the barranco we took a track to the right past a reservoir, which then became a path going up the edge of the barranco, with lovely views. This path is somewhat stony, which on the steep bits are quite dangerous when walking down, which is why we tackled this bit of the walk first, going upwards, when the path is OK.  The plants around were mainly the White-flowered cistus (Cistus monspeliensis), but draped over some of them was the Canary endemic annual vetch Vicia cirrhosa. 

 

The male flowers of the Canary Pine tree (Pinus canariensis) full of pollen

 

 

 

We continued upwards, reaching a track which was driveable. It was at this point there is a junction with another path crossing the barranco, but we continued uphill along the barranco edge, taking a shortcut with no path, and then joining a path to continue past neglected vineyards to join the track. This time we stayed with the track even when it turned away from the barranco, and followed it for about 500m till we saw a footpath going to the right which we took, continuing right at a junction with a better footpath. This took us across back towards the barranco on a good footpath till it reached a junction with the yellow and white signposted footpath from Las Vegas to the Lunar landscape. Here we turned right, downhill at last. From here on we followed the signposted path all the way back to Las Vegas.

 

A section of the path up the West side of the barranco. It is very stony and better to go up than descend.

Soon we passed an era (threshing floor) where we had lunch and then continued down the zig-zagging path till it squeezed through between rocks to re-enter the barranco. This section down the cliff and into the barranco was again full of flowers, including the Palomera (Pericallis lanata) on the cliffs, Canary mountain figwort (Scrophularia glabrata), and more Tenerife Vipers Bugloss, etc in the barranco. There were also some of the very pretty Tassel hyacinths (Muscari comosum).

 

Palomera (Pericallis lanata), a Canary endemic which loves to grow on rocks

 

The path down through the barranco was delightful. Tall flowering shrubs tower either side of it, with glimpses to the scenic rocky cliffs either side. The path is generally easy to walk, so you can enjoy the flowers and the views.

 

The path descending into the barranco beside yet more scenic cliffs

 

 

 

Tassel hyacinth (Muscari comosum). A widespread and common bulbous plant of the Mediterranean region.

 

 

 

 

 

At one point, the yellow and white signposted path takes a sharp left off a stony path to cross a barranco and descend by a lovely ridge. On this section I was delighted to see on the path a very small Campanula I have only once seen before. It is barely 15cm / 6in high with little blue bell flowers about 1.5cm across, but it is another Canary endemic Campanula occidentalis.

 

The signposted path through the barranco, with the white-flowered Escobón shrubs (Chaemacytisus proliferus) beside it.

 

Western campanula (Campanula occidentalis) is a tiny plant, here in the path itself, another Canary endemic

 

 

The walk took us just under 4 hours walking at quite a fast pace. It was 10.77 km/ 6.75 ml long and involved 626m of climbing and descent.

 

 

 

A short botanical walk in the Barranco de Guaria, from Acojeja

Madama (Allagopappus dichotomus) on the path down to the streambed

Acojeja is a village in the municipality of Guia de Isora in West Tenerife.  You reach the village by turning uphill between the two tunnels on the TF-82 between Guia de Isora and Tejina de Isora.  Continue uphill for about 0.75km/0.5ml till there is a turning right, with a wide bit of road around the corner.  You can park in this area, which is where the path leaves the village to descend into the Barranco.

The flowers of one of the Sea Kale species of the island, probably Crambe strigosa

The path starts with a sloping stone-paved path leaving the road from next to a signboard.  The paved path leads to an old wine-press (lagar) in a roofed enclosure, and then plunges down to the right of the wine-press before levelling out around the base of a basalt cliff, and then gently descending to the streambed.

Canary Tree Mallow (Lavatera acerifolia) in the barranco on, and at the base of, the north-facing wall.

On the descent, there are canary lavenders (Lavandula canariensis), Balo (Plocama pendula), Duraznillo (Ceballosia fruticosa), and Madama (Allagopappus dichotomus), among a host of other plants. All the named ones are Canary endemics.

Balo (Plocama pendula), the widespread weeping shrub/tree in the lower zones. It is a Canary endemic

The path comes out in the streambed of the barranco, which is about 5 metres wide at this point, with a deep layer of gravel/well rounded pebbles.  I turned up the barranco, walking up the streambed, which is extremely rough following the March storms. So rough it is necessary to watch ones feet continually to pick the place for the next step. At times, it is necessary to scramble up larger rocks to continue the journey upwards. You need to stop to look around every now and then, to see the scenery and the plants.

A heavy head of flowers of the Canary endemic, Duraznillo (Ceballosia fruticosa)

The base of the barranco is greener, with some different shrubs growing, including the Wild aniseed (Bupleurum salicifolium), a macronesian endemic which is common in this area.  It was only just coming into flower, its yellow flowers producing a foamy show for June, July and into August.

On the edge of the gravelly streambed, the invasive introduced Tobacco tree plant (Nicotiana glauca), is common, and in flower. It is common in gravelly disturbed areas, including building sites and empty plots in built up areas.  I don’t like seeing it in a protected nature area, but when there are floods, a lot of them are ripped out of the gravel and swept down to the sea.

The invasive introduced Tobacco tree (Nicotiana glauca) growing on the edge of the gravel

On the shadier, north-facing cliffs on the right of the barranco as I walked up, there were the massive seedheads of the Cliff celery (Tinguarra cervariaefolia), Sea Kales (Crambe strigosa probably) and Canary tree mallow (Lavatera acerifolia).  Again all of these are Canarian endemics.  The Cliff celery is an early-flowering umbellifera (Carrot family).  The tree mallow (or Maple-leaf mallow) also flowers early, but is still flowering now, so it makes a good show.  The Sea Kales belong to the Cabbage family, and have several endemic species in the Canary Islands, which are quite difficult to distinguish.  All have large rough leaves in a rosette at the base and long stems with white flowers in sprays which at a quick glance are like the Gypsophila beloved of florists.

A fine head of Roof houseleek (Aeonium urbium var meridionale) a Tenerife endemic.

I watched the rock climbers on the cliff high up on the left of the barranco.  It is supposed to be a hard climb and is very popular at weekends with those who love a challenge.  Then I turned just before the Drago tree, to come back down, as I had achieved the purpose of my walk, collecting some seeds from endemic Vicia cirrhosa for a botanist friend who is studying the species.

On the way back out of the barranco I saw a fine specimen of the Roof houseleek (Aeonium urbicum var meridionale), which I had not noticed on the way down.  All in all it was a short but pleasurable walk full of some of the special plants that Tenerife has to offer.

The walk was a there-and-back walk of about 2.5km/2mls, but can be longer or shorter, as you wish.

Exploring a new circular walk above Ifonche

The path through the woods above Ifonche

Tree sow-thistle (Sonchus canariensis) a Canary Islands endemic

This walk was done on Friday, when the hot calima weather was starting, so we were glad of the shade of the pines. The initial climb was the hardest, so we got that out of the way before it got too hot. We set out from the crossroads by Bar El Dornajito at the far end of Ifonche village, going up the hill. Whilst still on the minor tarmac road I spotted a late flowering Tree sow-thistle (Sonchus canariensis) beside the road. As I was away over their main flowering season I missed seeing the masses in flower, but this was a delightful reminder.

Where the tarmac road did a 90º turn to the left we went straight on following a track.  We continued straight on up where the GR131 was signposted off to the right, and again where a track went to the right..  The track finally stopped by a house, but from there a footpath started, continuing straight on up.

Pine forest cistus (Cistus sympytifolius) another Canary Island endemic

After a while the path descended into a shallow barranco, the Barranco del Agua and continued along its bottom to a junction.  The most well-worn path turned sharply to the left here, but we went straight on up the barranco following cairns.  It was a bit rough underfoot on this stretch but manageable with boots.  The path continued up the bottom of the barranco till nearly reaching a wall of cliffs, where it turned sharply right, up the slope out of the barranco and onto a ridge.

A view through the pines to Roque Imoque and Ifonche

As I climbed out of the barranco I noticed the sun filtering through the pines above and highlighting the pink flower of the Pine forest cistus (Cistus symphytifolius).  At the top, from the ridge there was a great view through the pines down to Roque Imoque and Ifonche village.  We then walked up the ridge, following the cairns, till we reached a slightly flatter area with a small semi-circular walled structure, probably a shepherd shelter.  At this point is a crossing of footpaths.  We continued straight on, slightly uphill, turning left after a few yards to follow a narrow, cairned path around the bottom of the hill, Alto de Chimoche.

The path follows a pipe from the barranco crossing till it reaches the track

After about 10 minutes walking we reached a path junction and turned left, and shortly after at a fork in the path we took the right fork.  We then continued following this path until we came to a disused water channel across our way.  This again is a crossing of paths, and again we continued straight on, over the canal and immediately descending into a barranco, the Barranco de la Fuente.  Crossing the streambed, we followed the path out the other side and continued in the same direction, following the path and its cairns until we met a track.  Here we wasted a good deal of time as the map showed the track forming a loop, both ends of which reached a track descending from Mt Teresme.  However, our investigations of the lower part of the track loop proved it did not exist.  The track ended and although there was a path continuing, with cairns, it soon died out, as did another alternative.  So we returned to the point where our path from the barranco crossing joined the track, and went along the higher part of the ‘loop’ on the map.  This did join the downhill track from Teresme and we turned left to walk down this track.

Local Tenerife endemic marguerites (Argyranthemum foeniculaceum) growing up the cliffs in the Brco de la Fuente

We continued down this track, which is easy to walk, till we reached a bar gate at a junction of tracks.  We turned left to continue downhill down the same ridge we were on, till we reached a point where the track went sharply to the left.  In the next few yards we looked to the right for cairns, which marked a footpath zig-zagging down a steep hillside to meet another path where we turned left.  We were now on the main, well-known and well-trodden footpath from La Quinta, Taucho, to Ifonche.  We continued along it, with its ups and downs around barrancos, till we reached Ifonche, near the Bar El Dornajito again.

On the way, in the biggest barranco we crossed, which was again the Barranco de la Fuente, there were some plants in flower despite the drought.  A few Roof houseleeks (Aeonium urbicum var. meridionale) were in flower on the cliffs as we entered this big and very scenic barranco, and some Tenerife Bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus campylocladus) in the path.  At the streambed crossing there were some plants of the rare endemic, Tenerife sea-kale (Crambe scaberrima) in flower hanging from the cliff on the other side, and a bit off the path up the streambed was a Poleo de Monte (Bystropogon canariensis) in flower.  In the streambed by the path exiting, a huge shrub of Shrubby burnet (Bencomia caudata) was also in flower, with its long knobbly catkins.  The other side of the barranco had the purple flowers of Palomera (Pericallis lanata) and some of the local endemic marguerites (Argyranthemum foeniculaceum), in addition to more pine forest cistus.  This floral richness even in a time of drought shows just why this is part of the Reserva natural especial del Barranco del Infierno which houses great biodiversity including many rarities.

The whole walk took us 5 hours, but that included one large and two small diversions looking for paths, so without those it would have taken about 3.5-4 hours.  It would then have been around 11km/6.9miles long and involved about 400m of climbing.

A GPS trail of this walk without our diversions can be found at this link:

http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=4189587