Charco Azul (Agaete)

The walls of the ravine close in as you climb, and at the very end water slides down the rock into a clear, cool pool. Mountains rise steeply on both sides the whole way, and the canyon floor is a mix of boulders, tall grass and the stream you keep crossing, so the walk in is half the reason to come.

When the stream is running the water is clean enough to swim in, and rocks above the pool tempt people to jump. Check the depth first. The waterfall itself is modest and entirely at the mercy of the weather: after rain it runs, and in a dry spell the valley can be dry from end to end. Some people turn back before the last bend thinking there is nothing there, so keep going to the end of the ravine.

• The waterfall runs on rain. After a long dry spell the ravine can be dry, with only a puddle where the pool should be.
• The lane through El Risco is for residents only: park below the houses and walk up through the hamlet.
• The path scrambles over rock and crosses the stream several times. Wear trainers or shoes with grip.
• There are no toilets and no drinking water at the pool or nearby. Bring water, and carry your rubbish back out.
• Go all the way to the end of the ravine; the pool sits at the far end, past the point where some walkers give up.

You arrive in El Risco, a hamlet in the ravine south-west of Agaete town. Buses stop at El Risco, about 900 m from the pool in a straight line, and car parks lie about 830 and 960 m away in a straight line. The lane up through the houses is closed to anyone who does not live there, so from the car park you continue on foot, past the front doors of the hamlet and out onto the floor of the ravine.

The walk in takes 20 to 40 minutes. It climbs over boulders, crosses the stream and has a few short uphill pitches that feel close to easy rock climbing. The trail is not always clear underfoot, so take your time at junctions and keep heading up the ravine to its very end.

Best: in winter or spring after a spell of rain, early in the day. Avoid: long dry spells, typically in late summer and autumn, and the ravine itself during heavy rain.

The waterfall only runs when the stream is fed by rain, so a dry season can leave nothing but rock; an early start keeps you off bare stone in the strongest heat, and a ravine in a downpour is the one place you should not be.