Charco del Pino

Discover Charco del Pino through its landscape, local history and the Camino Real del Sur. If you are looking for a hotel in Charco del Pino, considering your travel interests can help narrow your search: would you like to focus on mountain scenery and views, the route of the historic path, or local customs? The following sections show the role these themes play in Charco del Pino.

Landscape and views around Chiñama

Montaña de Chiñama is a volcanic cone in the Charco del Pino district and is significant for its history, culture and landscape. The mountain is therefore interesting not only as a landform, but also for its connection to the history and culture of the area.

From Mirador de Chiñama, views extend across the peaks, mid-altitude areas and coast of the municipality to neighboring San Miguel de Abona. The viewpoint is ideal for experiencing nature, photography and walks. You can plan your trip around different interests: Montaña de Chiñama offers a connection to the landscape and history, while the viewpoint looks across several elevations all the way to the coast.

Church and Camino Real del Sur

The parish church of San Luis Rey de Francia stands at the northern foot of Montaña de Chiñama. On the Camino Real del Sur, a short detour in Charco del Pino to the Iglesia de San Luis de Francia and its square is recommended. This means that when finding your way, you can consider both the church’s location on the mountain and a specific recommended stop along the route.

Charco del Pino lies approximately halfway along the Camino Real del Sur. This approximate position helps you place the area along the route; the recommended detour to the church adds a specific local point of interest. The historic Camino Real del Sur can still be walked today. Local access conditions may change, so check them before setting out.

Place name and cultural history

Charco del Pino takes its name from a small “Ere”: water hidden beneath the sandy bed of a ravine, which could be obtained by digging. The story behind the name thus points to a specific way of obtaining water and connects the place name with the sandy ravine bed.

Archaeological sites in the area around Montaña de Chiñama show that the Guanches used this area as a place of cultural and spiritual expression. In addition, Eres del Charco is designated a “Bien de Interés Cultural” (Asset of Cultural Interest). The cultural perspective thus encompasses both the use of the area in Guanche times and the designation of Eres as a cultural asset.

Traditions and festival dates

The traditional Danza de Arcos is performed every August in the square of the Iglesia de San Luis de Francia. If you would like to plan your trip around this custom, check the current festival dates in advance. A 2019 festival program also listed the 15th edition of the Baile de Taifa for Saturday, August 10, from 9 p.m. at the Polideportivo de Chiñama.

These two details provide different kinds of timing information: the Danza de Arcos is described as an August tradition, while the Baile de Taifa date was part of a specific 2019 festival program. When planning your trip, you can therefore make the landscape, route and dates of local customs separate points of focus.

Discover more destinations: El Fraile, Los Rechazos, Aldea Blanca, Buen Paso, El Rio, Teno, San Marcos, San Juan del Reparo

For the full travel overview: Tenerife.