Description
The Arenas Negras recreational area owes its name to the nearby site of one of the last eruptions in Tenerife.
The Garachico or Trevejos volcano was formed in 1706 along a broad volcanic ridge known as Dorsal de Abeque, shared by some thirty volcanic cones that have emerged over the last few thousand years.
This tract of volcanic landscape culminates in Mount Teide and Pico Viejo, which will dominate the view as you make your way to the recreational area on a clear day.
Due to the young age of the volcanic deposits here, you will notice expanses of dark, jagged rock, known in Spanish as “malpaís”, in the surrounding area. Only lichens and some plant species with special properties, such as the Canary Island pine, grow on these lava fields.
The powerful roots of the Canary Island pine tree are able to cling to almost any terrain, from the edge of a cliff to the cracks in the lava flows. They thus retain the existing soil and create habitable spaces for other plants.
Tips
- Enjoy the local plant and animal life without disturbing it. Be curious but from a safe and respectful distance.
- Follow the rules and instructions on the signs to avoid disturbance to people and animals.
- Keep the environment clean and leave no litter behind. Rubbish and cigarette butts must be disposed of in the designated containers.
- Travel in small groups to keep noise pollution and the impact on the environment to a minimum.
- Use the water in the toilets and taps responsibly. Water is a scarce and precious commodity on our island.
