Punta del Hidalgo: Natural Pools, Coastal Walks and Hiking in Anaga
Punta del Hidalgo brings together a seawater swimming pool, a distinctive modern lighthouse and walking routes beneath the mountains of Anaga. On Tenerife’s northeast coast, this fishing settlement offers a rewarding combination of ocean scenery, local food and mountain landscapes, whether you come for a relaxed afternoon or finish a longer hike here.
In this guide
Where is Punta del Hidalgo, and is it worth visiting?
Punta del Hidalgo belongs to the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, beyond Bajamar at the coastal end of the TF-13. Often called simply La Punta, it occupies a volcanic platform below Anaga’s steep western slopes. The mountains feel unusually close to the sea here, giving the settlement a very different setting from Tenerife’s southern resorts.
Come for swimming when conditions allow, a waterfront meal and an unhurried walk. The coastline is predominantly rocky, with small beaches rather than a broad sandy bay. Visitors looking for hotel-lined bathing beaches may prefer another destination; those interested in coastal scenery and access to traditional mountain paths have good reasons to make the journey.
Bajamar is the most natural nearby combination. Its larger pool complex makes it another option for a swimming-focused visit, while Punta del Hidalgo adds the lighthouse and the dramatic backdrop of Anaga.
The natural pool and other swimming spots
El Arenisco is the main organised bathing area, with a seawater pool beside the waterfront. It is the practical starting point for visitors who want a swim without choosing an unfamiliar rocky entry into the open ocean.
The pool has showers, lifeguard provision and adapted access. The municipal beach service publishes lifeguard hours of 10:00–17:00 from October to May and 10:00–19:00 from June to September. Check current notices and service arrangements before visiting, especially if you need assisted bathing.
Elsewhere, Las Furnias has intertidal pools, while El Arenal, El Roquete and Los Troches are smaller beach areas along this coast. They do not provide interchangeable swimming conditions: exposed shores and rock pools require particular caution as waves and water levels change.
Even the main pool remains subject to the Atlantic. Follow flags, barriers and lifeguard instructions; do not enter when bathing is prohibited. Large waves can wash across surrounding rocks and walls, so a closed pool is a reason to change your plans rather than seek an unprotected alternative nearby.
Coastal walks, the lighthouse and village landmarks
The waterfront is the easiest way to appreciate La Punta. Walk past the fishing boats and bathing area, then explore the more open coastal stretches towards the lighthouse. Built-up promenade sections give way to rougher ground, so choose footwear suitable for more than smooth paving.
The Faro de Punta del Hidalgo is a major landmark even without entering it. Its angular white concrete forms resemble a cluster of crystals rising above the volcanic shore. Completed in 1992 and operating since 1994, it is best treated as an exterior architectural stop rather than a visitor attraction with an assumed tower tour.
The twin-peaked Roque de los Dos Hermanos is another defining feature of the landscape. Enjoy its profile from established paths without assuming the rocky shoreline beneath it offers safe bathing. Inland, the Church of San Mateo provides a useful village landmark, while the small San Juanito chapel adds another point of interest around the coastal area.
Allow roughly one to two hours for a leisurely waterfront outing with stops, extending it according to how far you explore. This is a flexible walking suggestion, not a single waymarked circuit. Turn back where conditions, footing or barriers make continuing inappropriate.
Hiking between Punta del Hidalgo and Anaga
Punta del Hidalgo is also the coastal endpoint of PR-TF 10 from Cruz del Carmen. This is a mountain hike with substantial descent, separate from an easy promenade walk.
Cruz del Carmen to Punta del Hidalgo
The official route description gives 10.4 kilometres, approximately four hours and medium difficulty. Starting in Anaga’s forest, the route continues through rural landscapes and Chinamada before descending towards the coast. Allow extra time for rests and photographs.
Although the overall direction is downhill, there are uphill stretches and prolonged uneven footing. Arrange transport to the start and from the finish beforehand; leaving a car at Cruz del Carmen creates a separate return problem.
The shorter Chinamada section
The Chinamada–Punta del Hidalgo section is listed at 4.7 kilometres and approximately two hours fifteen minutes. It offers a shorter mountain outing, but the steep terrain still demands secure footwear and confident footing. Walking uphill from La Punta makes it substantially more strenuous, and returning the same way doubles the distance.
Carry water, sun protection and an offline map. The full PR-TF 10 is listed as requiring no authorisation, but check Tenerife ON for current restrictions and weather-related notices before setting out.
How to plan your visit
A half-day works well for the waterfront, lighthouse and lunch. Add swimming only when conditions permit. For a full day, combine La Punta with Bajamar or the historic centre of La Laguna; keep the long Anaga hike as the main activity rather than squeezing it into a sightseeing circuit.
Restaurants around the waterfront make a convenient lunch stop, with fish and seafood characteristic choices. Ask about the day’s availability and the price of fish sold by weight before ordering.
Bring a light layer even on a bright day: wind and cloud can change the coastal atmosphere quickly. Families and visitors with limited mobility should prioritise the developed waterfront and equipped pool, assessing gradients and surfaces before extending onto rough coastal paths.
Getting to Punta del Hidalgo by car or bus
By car, follow the TF-13 through the northeast of La Laguna and continue beyond Bajamar. Use permitted parking spaces and allow time to walk to the waterfront. Avoid blocking residential entrances or stopping on narrow access roads.
TITSA route 050 connects La Laguna interchange with Punta del Hidalgo via Tegueste, Tejina and Bajamar; the published journey time is around 40 minutes. Route 105 also provides a direct connection from Santa Cruz on working days, with a published journey time of about one hour.
Check the timetable for your travel date and confirm the return stop, since services use the Altagay streets on the return journey. For a first visit, a coastal walk and lunch make a satisfying plan, with the pool as a welcome addition when the sea allows.