Macizo de Anaga Biosphere Reserve, Mountain range and biosphere reserve in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province, Spain.
Macizo de Anaga is a mountain range and biosphere reserve in northeastern Tenerife characterized by steep ravines, deep valleys, and towering cliffs. The landscape is dominated by dense Laurel forests and reaches its highest point at Cruz de Taborno around 1,024 meters.
These mountains formed through volcanic activity between 7 and 9 million years ago, making this the oldest geological part of Tenerife. This ancient origin shaped how the land developed and how people came to live there.
People living in these mountains have developed distinctive farming customs on steep terraced slopes, where they grow vegetables and grains in small plots. This way of life remains visible in how the land is shaped and used today.
Marked hiking trails connect the settlements of San Andrés, Taganana, and Igueste throughout the reserve, offering various routes for different fitness levels. Weather conditions can change quickly at higher elevations, so visitors should come prepared for shifting conditions.
The reserve is home to a remarkable number of plant species found nowhere else on earth, including rare varieties like Ceropegia dichotoma and Echium virescens. This concentration of endemic plants makes it one of the most botanically important places in Europe.
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