El Batán

1 This trail starts in the area of Cruz del Carmen, which you get to along the TF- 12, beyond the settlements of Las Canteras and Las Mercedes. There is a look out spot, restaurant and visitor centre, as well as being the setting for the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, built in the late XIX century. The trail starts to the right of the restaurant, up some stone steps, then it follows a dirt track through the dense vegetation of Canary Island wax myrtle, tree heath and other typical laurel forest species. From this point on, do not take any turnings that lead off to the left. After a gentle incline, the trail continues until the path forks. Take the right fork down to the Las Hiedras track. Once you are on the track, turn left and continue along for a few metres until you come to some steps and a stone wall to the right. The steps will lead you to the El Batán trail, which you follow down hill until you come across a newly built path, which has buried the original path. You then take the next turning to the left and follow the trail until you reach the El Batán road (TF-143). 2 Follow the road for about twenty minutes until you get to the hamlet of El Batán. There are excellent views to be enjoyed from the church square.

Interesting details

El Batán.

After the death of Tinerfe, the last great Mencey, or King, of Tenerife, his younger son Beneharo I inherited the kingdom of Anaga. At this time in aborigine history, Anaga was a district of abundant water and grazing, where the Guanches could find everything they needed. With the end of Spanish conquest, around 1495, a process of pacification and settlement started, in which Anaga was part of the land that was shared out by the leader of the Spanish conquest, Fernando de Lugo. In 1501, the first settlement was founded in the district, the village of Taganana, which later became the district capital. Sugar was the driving force behind the settlement of Taganana, and the catalyst of the valley economy. One of the area´s most urgent needs was to open up communications and put an end to its isolation, as the paths and grazing trails used by the aboriginal Guanches were obviously going to be insufficient. That is why steps were taken to have new trails built like the Camino Real de las Vueltas

Flora

Canary Island Ebony, Laurel, etc.

Values

Fauna: Bolle´s laurel pigeon, white-tailed laurel pigeon, etc

Heritage

The church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen (XIX century). Cruz del Carmen Information Centre.

Protection

In the Anaga Rural Park. Useful telephone numbers Rural Park Information Centre 922 633 576 La Laguna Local Police 922 601 175 Red Cross 922 259 626 922 281 800 City/Highway Police 922 259 416 TITSA (Bus company) 922 531 300

Route details

Position	Borough of La Laguna
Start point	Cruz del Carmen
End point	Church of Virgen de CandelariaIn Casas del Batán de Abajo
Distance	4,5 Km.
Duration	1h. 30 min.
Difficulty	Low
Accessibility	TITSA bus routes
Slope	500 m.