Cruz del Carmen Viewpoint

At about 920 m, cloud drifts straight through the viewpoint. Sometimes you stand and wait for it to pass, and then the island opens out below with Teide on the skyline. The air is cool and damp, the slopes are green with forest, and the coast you drove up from feels a long way off.

Cruz del Carmen is also the way into the Anaga laurel forest. Waymarked trails start beside the information board, and the Path of the Senses (Sendero de los Sentidos) leads through misty, moss-covered laurel on a route suited to families with children.

• The road up is paved but full of sharp bends; anyone prone to motion sickness should come prepared.
• The weather turns fast. Fog, chill and damp can arrive on a hot beach day, so bring a jacket.
• There are no bins at the car park or along the trail. Carry your rubbish out in a bag.
• Free public toilets are about 70 m from the viewpoint.
• Wear walking boots if you head into the forest.

The last stretch is a winding mountain road into the Anaga mountains, paved all the way and taken in one tight bend after another. The free car park sits about 70 m from the viewpoint, beside the visitor centre. It does not hold many cars and fills when the viewpoint gets busy. A second car park, about 130 m away, is for customers only.

By bus, get off at the Cruz del Carmen stop, about 130 m from the viewpoint.

Best: early morning on a clear, sunny day.

Avoid: rainy days, when the road is slippery and cloud hides the view.

An early start gets you a parking space before the car park fills, and sun gives the best chance of a clear line across the island to Teide.