Barranco Ruiz

Municipality: San Juan de la Rambla-LosRealejos
Aproximate Time: 3 Hours
Maximun Height: 635 meters
Minimum Height: 119 meters
Distance: 10,1 Km

Area Information

Barranco Ruiz is a depression in the area, which is used as a natural limit between the municipalities of  Los Realejos and  San Juan de la Rambla. That is a ravine.

Barranco Ruiz

It is a protected area. On the one hand, it has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (It is a law that protect buildings and objects that have been important in the history of a town such as, an archaeological, scientific or historical place, etc ...). In that case,  the protected area are San Juan cliffs and the hillsides of Barranco Chaurera and Ruiz. Due to the fact that it was found caves where it was appeared human and animal reamins. As a result it is an archaeological area.

On the other hand it is protected as a Site of Scientific Interest. It protects the wildlife and the orography of the zone. The area has successive lava streams, apart from having vegetation that has disappeared in the island.

The original vegetation of the zone has changed, due to the climate and the human intervention who used this area for different plantations. The vegetation is ascending, as a consequence, at the foot of  the ravine there are a representations of Bosque Termófilo (is a common plant formation in the Canary Island) and the formations of Tabaibal-Cardonal (mixed plant formation located in the lowland and coast area of the Canaries). Along the ascension of the ravine it is also found examples of Pinar (Pinus Canariensis), and examples of Laurisilva (it is a type of tropical forest, typical in humid and warm places) 

Speaking about the fauna, the most common animals are birds. Between them it is possible to mention El Cernícalo Vulgar (Falco tinnunculus) or Buho Chico (Asio Otus).

Finally it is necessary to emphasize that there are some traditional Canary house which are located around the path. At the beginning of the path, there is a mill which has been declared as Bien de Interés Cultural.

El Molino saw from the street

Description of the path.

                                          

The drop of the path

The path begins close to the road TF-5, in the place where is a recreational area (there are tables, grills, etc). There exist a stairs that go directly from the recreational area to the way,  known like Camino de las Pecas (a place where it was plantted different cacti, so in English it could be Cacti Way). In the recreational area is possible to leave the cars and there is also a bus stop, line 363 (from El Puerto de la Cruz).

The path is across the hillside of the ravine. A few feet from the beginning there is a junction which goes to the emplacement of the Mill.

Following the ascension for the hillside, it goes to a point of rest, a small square, Pedro Domínguez's square, wherefrom it is possible to see La Isla Baja (from Garachico to Buenavista is called Isla Baja). In that same site there are some houses. To continue, it is necessary to go cross the road, and follow the sign that indicates Barranco Ruz. This part connects both hillsides, and it passes through a forest. At the end of that part, we are situated in the other hillside of the ravine. Coming to this part, we are in the neighborhood of Icod el Alto.

Isla Baja

From the natural point of view, there are different caves and it is possible to see the different vegetation mentioned before. On the other hand, we  find the irrigated region, the water channels to supply the area and some traditional Canary houses.

It is necessary to bear in mind, that the path has not signs, the only visible signs are at the beginning and at the end. It is possible to do the path of many ways, descending, ascending or to do both directions. In that case we have started from the recreation park, finish in Icod el Alto, and  decided to descend again to go to the beginning point, before doing a stop in Icod el Alto and eating something to contribute to the local economy. 

El Teide saw from the end of the path