Camino de El Ciprés

Camino de El Ciprés is a mere 800-metre stretch of old cobbled road in La Orotava, Tenerife, yet it carries a history that reaches back to the earliest days of the nearby port of Puerto de la Cruz. Today this modest stone track runs almost unnoticed between banana plantations and residential development, but for centuries it was a vital economic artery of the La Orotava valley.

Where does this road come from?

The history of Camino de El Ciprés dates back to the 16th century and the early growth of the port at Puerto de la Cruz. The road takes its name from the nearby El Ciprés plantation and, for centuries, served as the transport route linking the fertile La Orotava valley with the coast. It was along this very path that hundreds of carts loaded with barrels of wine from the Valley made their way down toward the port, from where the cargo was shipped onward to England.

Why does this place matter historically?

Among the exported drinks, one held a particularly prominent place: Malvasía, the sweet Canary Islands wine that gained fame across Renaissance Europe and was even referenced by William Shakespeare. Camino de El Ciprés was, quite literally, the road by which this legendary wine left the island on its way to European tables. Because of this role in the valley's trade and agricultural history, the Government of the Canary Islands formally declared the path a Historic Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2008.

What does it look like today?

Camino de El Ciprés is entirely paved in stone and is considered one of the few surviving examples of a traditional cobbled road in the municipality of La Orotava. Its value lies not in scale or grandeur but in authenticity — it stands as a living sample of centuries-old road engineering, built by hand from local stone without modern materials. The uneven, rough stone surface, while not the easiest for a casual stroll, is precisely what testifies to construction techniques from another era.

The road lies between Villa de La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz, surrounded today by banana plantations and expanding housing developments that have gradually closed in around this historic route. As a result, Camino de El Ciprés remains a rarely visited spot — almost forgotten within the everyday landscape of the valley — despite its legally protected heritage status.

Who is this place for?

The path is of particular interest to anyone drawn to the economic history of the Canary Islands, the old wine trade, or traditional road-building techniques. Walking Camino de El Ciprés means literally setting foot on the route once used to carry one of the most celebrated wines of the Renaissance era, while also witnessing how historic heritage now coexists with the agricultural and urban landscape of the La Orotava valley.

Frequently asked questions

What is Camino de El Ciprés? It is a historic, fully stone-paved road roughly 800 metres long, which once connected the La Orotava valley to the port at Puerto de la Cruz.

Why is the road legally protected? In 2008 the Government of the Canary Islands listed it as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Historic Site) in recognition of its role in transporting goods, including wine, to the port.

What was its historical importance? It served as the main route by which carts carrying wine barrels, including the famous Malvasía, were transported from the La Orotava valley to the port for export, notably to England.

Is it worth visiting today? It appeals mainly to those interested in history and authentic remnants of old infrastructure — the rough stone surface makes it more of a historical-educational stop than a typical leisurely walking trail.