South to West - San Nicolás de Tolentino
The twisting road to the next point of interest on this west tour leads us through a fertile valley, criss-crossed with ravines, to the small town of San Nicolás de Tolentino. The first ravine we pass is the Barranco de Veneguera, a valley, which in 2003 - after years of protests by environmentalists who finally achieved that this valley was not developed into a tourism zone – was integrated in the nature reserve Parque Rural del Nublo.
The next gorge on our route is Barranco de Tasarte, where the road is a bit better, and which ends in a little, unspoilt beach – like all the Barrancos here. From the third and last ravine, the Barranco de Tasártico, on our way towards San Nicolás de Tolentino, a long and strenuous hike leads through the Reserva Natural Especial de Güi-Güi, an area covering 3000 hectares of land put under protection to preserve the vegetation clinging on the surrounding rocks.
A little bit further you will come across the nature attraction of La Fuente de los Azulejos – named after the blue tiles that often adorn Portuguese houses – where oxidation has turned the rocks bluish green, an amazing and unusual sight to see.
We finally arrive at San Nicolás de Tolentino, which is officially known as ‘La Aldea de San Nicolás de Tolentino’. This is the agricultural centre of the region, where – apart from plantations of orange, papaya, banana, mango and avocado - tomato growing used to be the main income. Even if the tomato production has gone down due to a strong competition led by Moroccan growers, annual exports still reach about 100,000 kg.
Surrounded by slopes overgrown with cacti and bamboo, this little town has not much to offer and the only building worth visiting is the Igreja de San Nicolás Church. Built in 1972 on the site of an old chapel from the 18th century, it features some interesting sculptural works created by Luján Pérez.
A very popular tourist attraction is the nearby Cactualdea, a cacti park with thousands of cacti imported from countries like Mexico, Madagascar, Guatemala and Bolivia, set between palms, dragon trees and aloe. There is also a Guanche Cave and a nice restaurant serving typical Canary dishes. Another point of interest is a large amphitheatre used for ‘Luchas Canarias’ wrestling matches.
You are here: 
