Ravines, cultivated slopes and open landscapes shape the rural character of Igueste De Candelaria in the mid-altitudes. The history of the trails is also part of the area’s character: the approximately 21-kilometre Camino Viejo de Candelaria connected Candelaria and La Laguna and passed, among other places, through Igueste de Candelaria.

The Camino Viejo and Trail Conditions

The walkable section of the Camino Viejo through Igueste is not signposted. It descends continuously and includes steep stretches. These features are more important when planning this section than the historic trail’s total length: the approximately 21 kilometres refer to the route connecting Candelaria and La Laguna, not to the section through Igueste. Anyone interested in this trail can distinguish its historical significance from the specific information about its gradient and signage.

Cultural Heritage and Settlement Traces

La Jiménez, a hamlet with traditional Canarian architecture, lies along the Camino Viejo. The hamlet has been designated an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural, BIC) in the category of “Historic Site.” Cueva de Añaco offers another cultural and historical connection to the trail: the large cave lies in the Barranco de Afirama beside the Camino Viejo. Traces found inside provide evidence of the former presence of the Guanches.

Caserío de Pasacola was the first human settlement in the mid-altitudes of the municipality of Candelaria. Today, remains of former houses, a threshing floor, livestock enclosures and agricultural terraces can still be seen there. The surviving features thus range from residential buildings to agricultural land and facilities.

Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad was blessed in 1788 and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Drago de Igueste is a Canary Island dragon tree (Dracaena draco), listed in the Catalogue of Monumental Trees and Flora of Tenerife and protected by the municipality. Together, these sites add a specific historical date and a protected tree to the picture of the area’s cultural heritage.

Casa de La Mesa is a 19th-century building comprising a residence, wine press, stable and livestock enclosures. It was used by farmers who worked the land communally. Its history includes both the combination of residential and agricultural spaces and this communal use.

Hiking Trails with Different Points of Reference

SL-TF 296.2 Barranco Chacorche is an approved, linear hiking trail of moderate difficulty. It begins at Plaza Dimas Coello in Igueste de Candelaria and ends at Galería de Chacorche. The route enters Parque Natural de la Corona Forestal, a protected natural area dominated by the Canary Island pine.

The two trails offer different information to guide planning: for the Camino Viejo section through Igueste, take into account its continuous descent, steep stretches and lack of signposts; for SL-TF 296.2, the linear route, moderate difficulty, start and end points are specified. SL-TF 296 La Mesa, in turn, offers panoramic views of Valle de Güímar. This makes it possible to distinguish the routes by their stated features without treating their descriptions as interchangeable.

Discover more destinations: Malpais, Las Cuevecitas De Candelaria.

See the main travel overview: Candelaria.