Discover Guaza: Nature and History

When looking for a hotel in Guaza, nature, history and individual activities can each shape your travel plans in different ways. Montaña de Guaza is central to several natural and cultural features. A hiking trail on its northern flank and an access road to the Natural Monument are practical points to consider; Golf Los Palos adds a sporting activity to the options.

Volcanic Landscape and Birdlife

Montaña de Guaza rises more than 400 metres above sea level and has two concentric craters. Lava from the eruption formed the Mesas de Guaza and a small coastal cliff. The ZEPA ES0000345 “Rasca y Guaza” bird protection area has been designated in the vicinity of the mountain; it was established by a government resolution dated 17 October 2006.

Remnants of Cardonal-Tabaibal vegetation, including Cardoncillo Ceropegia fusca and other typical lowland species, survive in the Mesas de Guaza. The mountain serves as a nesting site for, among other species, Cory’s shearwaters, yellow-legged gulls and trumpeter finches. Its desert-like vegetation also provides refuge for steppe birds such as the stone-curlew and the great grey shrike. Sightings of individual bird species may vary depending on the season.

Quarries and Archaeological Evidence

The quarries in the Mesas de Guaza date back at least to the end of the 17th century. Loza chasnera was extracted there and used for churches and manor houses in Tenerife and La Gomera. This history connects the landscape with the building history of the two islands, without requiring any particular building in Guaza to be visited.

The archaeological evidence also gives the area a distinct historical focus. Montaña de Guaza contains pre-Hispanic caves, huts and Guanche burial areas. The La Rasca archaeological zone is divided into three clearly defined areas: Malpaís, La Laguneta, and Las Mesas and Montaña de Guaza. These areas contain most of the zone’s Indigenous or pre-Hispanic remains. Access to individual remains may be restricted, so do not assume that they can be visited.

Trails and Getting Around

A hiking trail on the northern flank of Montaña de Guaza starts at the TF-6223 road and leads to the summit at an elevation of 430 metres. Check trail conditions before setting out. Another access route to the Natural Monument is an unpaved road suitable for vehicle traffic. It starts near Guaza del Medio at the TF-665; here too, it is advisable to check conditions before driving.

The TF-665 connects Guaza and Los Cristianos and is one of the main paved roads approaching the Montaña de Guaza Natural Monument. For planning purposes, it helps to distinguish between the described hiking route to the summit and the unpaved access road suitable for vehicles. These are different access routes and should not be mistaken for a single route.

Golf and Cultural Activities

Golf Los Palos is on the Guaza–Las Galletas road at kilometre 7 in Arona. The facility includes a golf school with PGA-qualified instructors. Individual and group lessons are available in several languages. If golf is a focus of your stay, this information can help you plan the activity.

Arona ArqueoViva also offers an archaeological programme that invites visitors to become archaeologists for a day in a real-world setting. A specific festival programme is documented for Guaza itself for 25–27 October 2024: the festivities in honour of Santa Teresa de Jesús and San Jerónimo included religious and popular events; a procession took place on 26 October.

When choosing a hotel, you can first decide whether nature and hiking, archaeology and architectural history, or golf lessons will shape your stay. This makes it easier to plan around your different interests without combining them into a single programme.

Discover more destinations: Los Rechazos, Ravelo, El Rio, Arico Viejo, San Juan del Reparo, Tacoronte, Oroteanda Baja, Los Silos

For the main travel overview: Tenerife.