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We kicked off our sandals and walked along the beach with the waves gently breaking to our right. Towards the end of the beach we climbed back up to the track on the cliff top and continued south. (You may choose to stay on the top track and not drop down to the beach, it’s your choice but we thought it was a good way to start with a stroll along the beach on a sunny day in mid November at 24 degrees).

After approximately 1 ¼ hours (6 kms) we arrived at Playa de Esquinzo, a popular haunt for the surfers. Here we witnessed 15 – 20 surfers out at sea waiting for the next big one!! We are now forced around the first barranco (a ravine or dry riverbed), Barranco de Esquinzo. When it rains here on the island (a few days in the winter months) this is fed from the mountain range of La Oliva, Montana Prieta and Montana Blanca.

About 2 ¼ hours into the walk we came to Los Caletones, a large U shaped bay carved into the rocks by mother nature. Over the edge of the cliff top ahead you will spot a concrete post, which is the survey trig point at Paso Chico, which is approximately half way into our walk.

Looking over to our left (east) you get a great view of Montana Tindaya (401m). This is also known as the sacred mountain as is is said to have magical powers. You need advanced permission to climb this as it is a protected area and is a natural monument. You will also see the village of Tindaya in the distance.

The track now has taken you slightly inland but if you head over towards the sea and look over the edge you look down on a small bay with a sandy beach. (Playa de Tebeto). We thought this was the lost beach of Tindaya. This is not easily accessed so we returned to the track and round the barranca and continued south with the sun beaming down in front of us.

With approximately 6 kms to go we pass through the remains of a rusty old fence which runs from the sea disappearing up into the hills. We can see a couple of 4X4 vehicles parked up ahead and soon realise why! As we draw close we realise that we have now arrived at the real beach of Tindaya, Playa de Jarugo, although it is a fair distance away from the village. We watched a small group from a safari surf school enjoying the area all to themselves.

You can head down to the beach or follow the track as it snakes down, round and through the large barranco, Barranco de Jarugo. This barranco has lots of vegetation growing up to waist height and it feed straight across Tindaya beach and into the sea. We spotted a couple of surfers who had made camp on the rocks in the barranco, safe enough when the sun is out but heavy rains will wash this away very quickly.

Our track heads further inland now and the scenery changes slightly as the mountain range , Morro del Espino Gordo (266m) now shows a roundness and smoother landscape. This indicates this range is considerably older than the others we passed on our route.

The track is a little more dusty now and if we look over to the southeast we can see the village of Tefia. Eventually we see the final Barranco of our journey, Barranco de Los Molinos and the road ahead.

As you keep on the track you need to lookout as it splits and we take the right hand fork down towards the sea. As you drop down the track you start to see various buildings ahead. Further down the track we see a small hamlet of houses with a delightful little church.

Amongst these houses is the odd caravan which may be temporary homes for locals that act as summer houses. A couple of new Mercedes cars suggest they ain’t all poor little fishermen.

The rooftop of the restaurant now appears and is in a lovely setting with several ducks nestling in the water running off the barranco and a rocky beach leading to the sea. Our eyes are drawn to two birds, a pure white bird and also a Guirre (a type of Egyptian vulture and on the endangered species list). It flaps it’s huge wings and hops from rock to rock.

The restaurant serves great food and drinks so treat yourself whilst you are here before heading to the busy town life.