Paisaje protegido de Las Lagunetas

Paisaje Protegido de Las Lagunetas is a large protected landscape on the island of Tenerife, covering the slopes of the Dorsal de Pedro Gil mountain ridge in the north of the island. Spanning more than 3,800 hectares between roughly 700 and 1,900 meters above sea level, the area stretches across seven municipalities: El Rosario, Candelaria, El Sauzal, La Matanza, La Victoria, Santa Úrsula and Tacoronte. Its coordinates sit at approximately 28.417°N, 16.417°W.

Why was this area protected?

Las Lagunetas lies on a slope directly exposed to the trade winds, which carry moist Atlantic air that condenses against the mountains and forms the "sea of clouds" so characteristic of the Canary Islands. This orographic cloud cover is what gives the area its hydrological importance: trees and shrubs trap moisture from the fog, and the water dripping from their leaves feeds the island's underground aquifer. Protecting this landscape is therefore not only about conserving nature, but also about safeguarding Tenerife's water supply.

What grows in Las Lagunetas?

The landscape is dominated by extensive Canary pine forests, an endemic species well adapted to the local climate. Equally significant are the transition zones where pine forest meets the monteverde — the humid laurel and tree-heath forest typical of the higher reaches of the Canarian mountains. These transition areas host endemic plant species, some of which receive additional protection under regional regulations.

The Las Palomas Special Nature Reserve

Within the protected landscape lies the Las Palomas Special Nature Reserve, covering around 584 hectares across the municipalities of Santa Úrsula and La Victoria. This reserve preserves small but valuable remnants of laurel forest interwoven with pine stands along the numerous ravines (barrancos) on the island's northern flank. These laurisilva relicts are among the oldest and most distinctive ecosystems of the Canary archipelago.

Getting there

Paisaje Protegido de Las Lagunetas lies on Tenerife's northern slope, close to municipalities such as La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula and Tacoronte, making it relatively easy to reach from the island's main road network. Its altitude and dense vegetation make it a popular destination for visitors seeking contact with nature away from the tourist beaches of the south.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Las Lagunetas protected area? The protected landscape spans more than 3,800 hectares across seven municipalities in northern Tenerife.

Which tree species dominate this landscape? Mainly Canary pine, with laurel and tree-heath forest (monteverde) species appearing in the transition zones.

How does Las Lagunetas differ from the Las Palomas reserve? Las Palomas is a smaller special nature reserve (584 ha) nested within the larger Las Lagunetas protected area, safeguarding particularly valuable remnants of laurel forest.

Why is this area important for water supply? Its vegetation captures moisture from the orographic clouds generated by the trade winds, which recharges the island's underground aquifer.