Many people come to Tenerife expecting beaches and sunshine, but one of the island’s most unusual and beautiful landscapes is found in the north — the laurel forests. These ancient forests, known as laurisilva, are a reminder of what much of southern Europe looked like millions of years ago.
The laurel forests of Tenerife are mainly found in the Anaga Rural Park in the north-east of the island, where the mountains, trade winds and clouds create a completely different environment to the dry south of Tenerife.
For visitors who enjoy nature, walking and scenery, the laurel forests are one of the most unique places to visit in Tenerife.
What Is a Laurel Forest?
Laurel forests, or laurisilva, are humid subtropical forests made up of evergreen trees such as laurel, tree heather and moss-covered woodland. These forests once covered large parts of southern Europe and North Africa, but today they only survive in a few places, including the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores.
Because of this, the laurel forests of Tenerife are considered very important from a natural history point of view, and parts of Anaga are protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Walking through a laurel forest often feels completely different to the rest of Tenerife. The air is cooler and more humid, the trees are covered in moss and ferns, and the light filters through the canopy, creating a very quiet and atmospheric landscape.
Trade Winds, Clouds and Microclimates
The reason these forests exist in Tenerife is because of the trade winds and the island’s mountains. Moist air from the Atlantic is carried towards the island by the trade winds and is forced upwards when it reaches the mountains in the north of Tenerife.
As the air rises, it cools and forms clouds, often creating what is known as the “sea of clouds”, which can often be seen in the Orotava Valley and the mountains of Anaga. These clouds provide constant moisture, which allows the laurel forests to survive.
This is also why north Tenerife is green, with banana plantations, vineyards and forests, while the south of the island is much drier and more desert-like. You can read more about this in the Tenerife microclimates guide.
Anaga Rural Park
The best place to see laurel forests in Tenerife is Anaga Rural Park, a protected natural area in the north-east of the island, not far from Santa Cruz and La Laguna.
Anaga is known for its sharp mountain ridges, deep valleys, small villages and ancient forests. Many of the walking paths here pass through laurel forest, and it is one of the most popular areas in Tenerife for walking and nature.
Some of the most well-known walking routes pass through the forest near Cruz del Carmen and the village of Taganana, where the landscape changes quickly from forest to mountain to coastline.
Walking in the Laurel Forest
Walking in the laurel forest is very different from walking in the dry south of Tenerife or in Mount Teide National Park. The paths are often shaded, the air is cooler, and the scenery is constantly changing as the clouds move through the trees.
Many walks are suitable for people who enjoy gentle walking rather than steep hiking, although some paths do include uneven surfaces and steps. The forest walks are often combined with visits to La Laguna, which is a UNESCO World Heritage town.
For many visitors, the laurel forests are one of the most surprising parts of Tenerife, because it is a landscape they were not expecting to find on a volcanic island.
Part of a Very Different Side of Tenerife
The laurel forests are just one part of what makes north Tenerife so different from the south. In the north you will also find historic towns, botanical gardens, old estates, vineyards and banana plantations, all supported by the island’s unique climate and geography.
This combination of scenery, history and culture is why many visitors choose to stay in places like Puerto de la Cruz, where it is easy to explore the Orotava Valley, Mount Teide, La Laguna and the Anaga mountains.
Exploring Tenerife Beyond the Resorts
Some visitors explore these places independently, while others prefer to discover them as part of a small group with local guides who can explain the history, geology and landscapes along the way.
Our hosted experience in north Tenerife includes guided visits to several of these landscapes, including the historic towns, gardens and mountain areas that many visitors never see when staying in the resort areas of the south.
You can read more about what is included here: What’s included in the experience.
Some women explore places like this independently, while others prefer to experience north Tenerife with gentle structure and local context. Our hosted Tenerife experience is designed for women who want that balance.