El Lagarito Viewpoint

Garachico lies below, its rooftops spread over the flat tongue of old lava that pushes the town out into the Atlantic, with the Roque de Garachico standing offshore. Inland, on a clear day, Teide rises above the slopes.

Those two views are the reason to stop: the town seen whole from above, and the volcano behind it. The deck sits on the Garachico road itself, so it works as a pause on the drive down to the coast as much as a destination in its own right. It all depends on the weather. When cloud rolls in over this side of the island, the view goes with it.

• There are no toilets or drinking water at the viewpoint, and none nearby. Bring water with you.
• The view needs clear air: cloud on the north side of the island can hide Garachico and Teide alike.
• A guidepost for the SL-TF 151.2 Ruigomez-La Atalaya path stands about 560 m away in a straight line.

The viewpoint stands on the Garachico road in El Tanque, above the town. By bus, the nearest stop is Tanque Bajo, about 221 m away in a straight line; the Mirador de Garachico stop is about 511 m away.

By car, the nearest car park is about 475 m away in a straight line. A second one, at about 484 m, is reserved for customers. The Mirador de Garachico information board is about 477 m from the viewpoint.

Best: a clear morning.

Avoid: overcast days, when cloud sits on the northern slopes.

Trade-wind cloud gathers on this side of Tenerife and tends to build as the day goes on, and the whole point of the stop is a clear line of sight to Garachico and Teide.