The Santa Margarita Los Valles walk is about 8.5km and usually takes between 2 and 3 hours depending on breaks and photo stops. There are some great views down into the Tenegüime ravine (or Barranco) and the whole of the north eastern coastline. The path is well marked, but there is a steep ascent in the second quarter of the route.
Click the image above to open the area in Google maps.
If you wish to avoid the ascent, then there is a shorter option of about 4km, starting from the same place, You still get the views down into the Tenegüime barranco, but miss out the ascent to Los Valles.
Click the image above to open the area in Google maps.
Directions
Follow the LZ-1 out of Arrecife, right at the round-a-bout in Tahiche. Continue on the LZ-1 past Costa Teguise and take the exit for Guatiza. Take the first left off Av. Garafía onto Av. Alfonso Tolosa. Continue until the junction with the LZ-405, turning right and parking at the Guatiza Cemetery.
The Walk
Find the small path behind the cemetery at the north east corner. Follow this path north up the hill, the Teneguime ravine gradually opens on your right hand stide. Once on the top lip of the ravine, bear left and look for a track passing behind the small hill on your left. The Tenegüime ravine has two branches that forms a rough letter ‘Y’. for this walk we want to follow the left branch (as you face north).
There is a dirt track that brings up up onto the shoulder of the mountain. Here you can opt for the short or long route. For the short route simple stay on the path, up and over the ridge and back to Av. Alfonso Tolosa and the Santa Margarita Cemetry.
For the longer route bear right further up onto the shoulder of the ridgeway and make your ascent to the top. This section is quite steep, but look out for the zig zag path to the left of the main path. There are some stunning views from the top and you have the option here to take a small detour for lunch or a coffee and cake break.
If after a break at Restaurante Mirador de Los Valles, retrace your steps to the top of the ridgeway and start your descent back to the valley floor. Turn left as you re-join Av. Alfonso Tolosa and head back to Santa Margarita Cemetry. Look out for the short cut past the water depository.
History – Santa Margarita – Los Valles
To read more on the history of the area you can checkout the following sites:
The sites are in Spanish, so if it helps I have made an attempt to summarise a few topics of interest in the History section. For instance, did you know that Guatiza isn’t where it used to be and isn’t what it used to be called.
Other walks in this area are Guatiza Montaña Calderetas, Guatiza, Los Valles & Majon, Teneguime 1 & Teneguime 2