A Canary Island pine more than 300 years old, the Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol and a 1.4-kilometre hiking trail give Las Cuevecitas De Candelaria a character shaped by nature, local history and outdoor activity. The area also offers viewpoints over the Valle de Güímar and historical traces of wine-growing in the surrounding area. This combination gives you more to consider when choosing a destination than a single keyword: you can focus on cultural heritage, scenery or a short, waymarked hike, without all the experiences having the same character.
Landscape and viewpoints
El Pino de Cuevecitas is a Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), more than 300 years old and protected by the local authority. Its age and protected status make the tree a distinctive part of the area’s natural heritage. Agriculture also shapes the landscape: Las Cuevecitas has small family-run farms, many on terraces and plots adapted to the complex terrain, which is cut through by several ravines. The terraces and ravines are therefore part of an interconnected landscape in which farming and the terrain are closely linked.
From higher points in Las Cuevecitas, you can look out over the Valle de Güímar; these points are close to the Parque Natural de la Corona Forestal. Nearby, the Mirador de Chivisaya offers another vantage point. It is in the Paisaje Protegido de Siete Lomas protected landscape. From there, the panorama takes in the surroundings of Chivisaya, the Media Montaña volcano and the Valle de Güímar—from the coast to the summit. The viewpoints offer different geographical perspectives: the valley from higher ground and a broad vista from the mirador.
Church and festivals
The Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol in Las Cuevecitas houses depictions of the Virgen de la Rosa and San Andrés. These two religious subjects provide a specific cultural point of interest alongside the landscape and agriculture. If you are interested in local heritage, you can consider the church as a distinct part of the area’s character.
Around 30 November, Las Cuevecitas celebrates a festival in honour of San Andrés Apóstol, with various artistic events. Events for the Fiestas de Las Cuevecitas take place in Plaza de Las Cuevecitas and the surrounding areas; they are organised jointly by the Ayuntamiento and the Asociación de vecinos. The programme, venues and organisation may vary from one edition to another. If you would like to plan a visit for this time, check the specific event dates.
Hiking trail and historic terraces
The SL-TF 296.1 Barranco El Rincón is an officially certified, linear hiking trail of low difficulty. It is 1.4 kilometres long and ends in Las Cuevecitas. It starts at Plaza de Las Cuevecitas via Calle La Hoya; initially, a narrow, winding path heads towards the Barranco de El Rincón. Its length, route and stated difficulty offer clear guidance for deciding whether to take this hike, without implying a walking time.
The final section passes abandoned terraces, evidence of the area’s significant agricultural activity in the 20th century. The trail thus combines a walk through the landscape with a glimpse of its agricultural past. Trail conditions may change after bad weather, so check them before setting out. If you are looking for a short hike with a connection to the landscape, it offers a different perspective from the mirador: there, the panorama takes centre stage; on the trail, the route through ravines and terraces is the focus.
Traces of history in the surrounding area
The now-disused Bodegas de Chivisaya lie by the Media Montaña volcano. In the 18th and 19th centuries, they were known for white and rosé wines that were renowned across the island and even exported to the United Kingdom. This history adds wine-growing to the area’s story without presenting the former bodegas as a visitor attraction today.
Las Cuevecitas itself also played a part in routes through the Valle de Güímar: historically, it was a regular stopping point for residents of the higher settlements. Together with the abandoned terraces, this offers a view of the cultural landscape across time: farming and routes are not just subjects for an excursion, but also shape the history of the village and its surroundings. Depending on whether you are more interested in nature, church heritage, hiking or historic landscapes, a stay in Las Cuevecitas can offer a different focus.
Discover more destinations: Igueste De Candelaria, Malpais.
Return to the wider travel guide: Candelaria.
