The Ravines (Barrancos) of the South

As we soar above the southern slopes of Tenerife, your attention will inevitably be drawn to the dramatic verticality of the 'barrancos'—the deep ravines that carve through the volcanic landscape. To an analytical observer, these…

Let us examine the walls of the ravines more closely. The visible layers, or 'strata,' provide a visual record of the island's eruptive history. …

The history of human habitation in Tenerife is inextricably linked to the barrancos. For the indigenous Guanches, these ravines provided natural defenses and caves for habitation and burial. …

As the deep shadows of the ravines give way to the bright expanse of the coastal plains, take a final look back at the jagged terrain we have traversed. The barrancos of southern Tenerife are a powerful reminder of the relentless…