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WALK 4

Almáciga, Benijo and El Draguillo

Start/Finish	Almáciga
Distance	10km (6¼ miles)
Total Ascent/Descent	500m (1640ft)
Time	3hrs
Terrain	Easy coastal road and hillside paths that can be steep and rugged.
Refreshment	Bars at Almáciga and Benijo.
Transport	Regular daily buses serve Almáciga from Santa Cruz.
Waymarked route(s)	Route uses PR TF 6, 6.2 and 6.3.

This short circular walk links the coastal villages of Almáciga, Benijo and El Draguillo, then climbs to a junction where scrub-covered slopes meet the fringe of laurisilva forest. There is an option to cross a gap to reach Chamorga; otherwise the walk descends to return to Benijo and Almáciga.

Buses run to and from Almáciga but terminate there, so the coastal road must be followed eastwards on foot. There is no need to follow its bendy course beyond the black ash beach of Playa de Benijo. Use a combination of coastal path and beach walk to cross the mouth of the Barranco de Benijo. Watch for a path on the right to climb to the Restaurante El Mirador and rejoin the road. Turn left to leave the tarmac road and follow the Pista al Draguillo, PR TF 6.2, away from Benijo. The road is mostly concrete, and apart from a stretch of dirt road over a rise, it is mostly uphill to the hamlet of El Draguillo, at 170m (560ft). Follow a track to a junction where there is a signpost near a dragon tree.

Turn right and follow a path signposted as the PR TF 6 up past old terraces, becoming more rugged on a steep, scrub-covered slope. Keep climbing to reach a signposted path junction at the lower edge of laurisilva woods. Keep left and keep climbing to follow the PR TF 6 over a well-wooded gap to Chamorga. Turn right as signposted for the PR TF 6.3 to Benijo.

The path runs gently downhill then rises over a rocky notch beside a rock outcrop. Head generally downhill along an airy path that may be stony, stone-paved, rock or earth as it zigzags. There is a view of villages ahead, and a wealth of wonderfully fragrant scrub. A short, steep, stone-paved climb leads through a makeshift gate at El Paso de Jediondo, then the descent continues. The path winds down below rocky outcrops, then follows an arid crest dominated by tabaibal. The path later drops onto Lomo Bermejo and a right turn leads down to a road junction beside the bar, Restaurante El Mirador, at Benijo. At this point, retrace the earlier steps of the day back to Almáciga.

An awesome cliff coast, seen after stormy weather, near Almáciga