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| Heading into the Hills from Igueste |
At the end of the road that runs along the coast from the island's capital Santa Cruz, lies the isolated village of Igueste and it was from here that I started my hike to the 'secret' beach of Antequera. This sandy beach is only accessible on foot through the mountains or by water taxi, so I wasn't expecting much company when I finally arrived at my objective.
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| Ascending to the head of the Barranco de Antequera |
Leaving Igueste, I followed a narrow lane into the mountains before turning onto a signposted path that climbed steeply uphill, revealing more and more of the stunning scenery of the Anaga Mountains as I gained height. The low gloomy clouds threatened rain but a little light drizzle was all that I had to contend with and as I reached the top of the first climb at the head of the Barranco de Antequera, it was the wind that became the predominant factor but even this abated as I passed a sign declaring ˋAntequera 3.2 kmˋ and began the descent into the barranco.
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A Signpost points the Way
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As I neared the beach, I heard on the wind the slightly eerie sound of a tin whistle floating on the wind around the hills and, looking across the opposite side of the valley, saw a lone walker climbing along my return route playing as he walked.  |
| In the Barranco de Antequera |
Rounding a bend, I had a stunning first glimpse of Antequera beach and the Roque de Antequera below me as the sound of the waves crashing on the shore drifted up the barranco.
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| Roque de Antequra |
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| Playa de Antequera |
Soon, I was on the sand and apart from handful of hikers, the only others I saw were a few adventurous souls who had taken the opportunity to arrive by water taxi to sunbathe and swim at this near deserted beach. After a break enjoying the sun and the sound of the waves, I eventually located the return path that clung precariously to the cliff-face above the beach before turning into the mountains once again to climb the Barranco de Zapata.
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| Playa de Antequera |
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| Starting the precarious cliff path from the beach |
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| Looking back on the climb in the Barranco Zapatera |
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The Steep descent to Igueste
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The long, arduous climb was accompanied by the haunting sound of the tin-whistle, but though I heard it throughout the climb, I never again saw the walker/musician responsible and I eventually hauled myself to the top of the seemingly never ending climb before beginning the knee-crunching descent back into Igueste with spectacular views to the village and Santa Cruz.
