Mirador de Chimague

Mirador de Chimague is a viewpoint in the municipality of Arafo, Tenerife, tucked high on the Dorsal de La Esperanza ridge at roughly 1,830 metres above sea level. It's one of the island's lesser-known lookout points — tour buses skip it, so visitors get a quiet spot where the loudest sound is usually the wind moving through the pines.

How do you get there?

Access is via the TF-24 road, which connects La Laguna with El Portillo de la Villa (the gateway to Teide National Park). The turn-off for Mirador de Chimague sits around kilometre 26 of that route — a short side road branches off and leads directly to the lookout. It works well as a stop on the way between the north of the island and Mount Teide; from Arafo or Candelaria the drive usually takes no more than 30–40 minutes.

What will you see from the viewpoint?

The lookout sits inside Corona Forestal Natural Park, surrounded by Canary pine (Pinus canariensis) forest covering the island's central ridge. From here the view stretches over the Güímar valley, the municipalities of Candelaria and Arafo, and the southeastern coast of Tenerife. On clear days you can pick out the Anaga Rural Park to the northeast, and occasionally even Gran Canaria on the horizon.

The signature phenomenon at Chimague is the sea of clouds — a blanket of cumulus that settles over the Güímar valley while the peaks and pine forest rise above it. The sight of treetops poking through the clouds like islands in an ocean is one of the most photographed scenes in this part of the island.

Worth knowing: the pine forest in this area was damaged by a major wildfire in the summer of 2023. Canary pine, however, is famous for its resilience to fire and its ability to regenerate — trees sprout new growth even from heavily scorched bark, so visitors can watch the forest's recovery unfold in real time.

When is the best time to visit?

The clearest views of the sea of clouds usually appear in the morning, when moist air rolling in from the ocean pools in the valleys while the sun already lights up the peaks. By afternoon the clouds often clear, making it easier to spot distant landmarks like Gran Canaria. Bring warm clothing — at nearly 1,800 metres it gets cool even in summer, and strong wind makes it feel colder still.

Mirador de Chimague makes a good base for continuing on to the nearby Chipeque and Cumbre viewpoints, also perched on the La Esperanza ridge, or for travellers heading further toward Teide.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Mirador de Chimague? No, access is free, as with most viewpoints on Tenerife.

Is there parking available? Yes, there's a small parking area right at the turn-off from the TF-24 road.

Is it suitable for a visit with children? Yes, the access road is easy and the viewpoint itself doesn't require any strenuous walking, making it a good short stop on a family trip.

Can you always see the sea of clouds? No, the phenomenon depends on weather conditions and time of day — it appears most often in the morning but isn't guaranteed every day.