Playa Antequera - Hiking to Tenerife's Secret Beach

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.

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.

A Signpost points the Way

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.

Roque de Antequra

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.

Playa de Antequera

Starting the precarious cliff path from the beach

Looking back on the climb in the Barranco Zapatera

The Steep descent to Igueste

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.