Walk 2 - Antoncojo to El Balcon de Santa Ana walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

A linear downhill walk from the attractive hamlet of Antoncojo, using a former mule trail, earth roadways and a section of the main road to return to Balcon de Santa Ana. The widespread views include Playa de Santiago, the sea and the Barranco de los Cocos.

Start Point

Use the bus (heading for Alajero and Imada) from the square at Playa de Santiago or from the stop close to the Las Trincheras junction. Approximately 10 minutes rise to the prominent stop at the junction with the little road which is signposted into Antoncojo.
Refreshments:
None (unless a short diversion is made into the airport).

From the bus stop leave the road at once to descend a neat stone paved access drive, passing several houses and two yellow paint marks on a big stone. After the houses the track becomes a rough, stony path with the deep Barranco de las Cocos on the left and the neat Antoncojo hamlet sitting on a shelf of land at its head, with cliffs in front and cliffs behind. The path, probably a former mule track, is a little overgrown, with the remains of stone walls on each side and a large water pipe on the right.

1. Join a narrow tarmac road above a sizeable reservoir, the Embalse de Cardones, retained by a large dam. Inevitably in this part of the island, there are abandoned cultivation terraces on the valley side. Stay with this road as it bends to the right, soon reaching a large water tank on the left.

2. Forty yards past the tank turn sharp left to cross over a heap of stones and follow a faint path below the water tank with the remains of a stone wall on the right. Head for a rather dilapidated but inhabited farmhouse, bearing right to pass beside the buildings. A broad track now heads for a second dwelling; the large water pipe rejoins our route. Bear right to pass the dwelling.

3. In a further 40 yards turn left along another broad track, again rejoined by the big pipe, and continue downhill along the top of the side of the barranco, with fine views down to Playa de Santiago. Although the original path appears to be to the left of the big pipe, the wide stone/earth track is excellent as it descends steadily, aiming towards one end of the runway at the airport. Stride over a branch of the big pipe, soon joining the main road. Use the original footpath on the left for the last few yards, over loose stones.

4. Walk along the roadside for a long half mile, passing the entrance road to the airport (possible diversion for refreshments at the splendid terminal building, with bar). Pass below the towering end of the runway. Fortunately, traffic on the main road is light. Immediately after the end of the high fence on the left, turn into the top end of the old, redundant, road. This tarmac road twists and turns as it descends the hillside to a junction at the bottom.

5. Turn left to stay with the old road, running parellel with and close to the new road. Pass a ‘Las Trincheras’ boundary sign and then a ‘Playa de Santiago’ boundary sign as a few houses are reached. At the end of the road turn right, along a little path, with a few steps descending to the main road. Cross with care, then follow the approach road back to El Balcon de Santa Ana.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.