Route 7: Pared Vieja – Túnel Viejo
PARED VIEJA – TÚNEL VIEJO
Round trip
- Distance: 14,78 Km
- Maximum height: 1215 m.
- Minimum height: 1025 m.
- Height of the exit: 1208 m.
- Height of the arrival: 1208 m.
- Accumulated descending level: 189 m.
- Accumulated ascending level: 174 m.
- Maximum speed: 2163 m/h
An accessible path suitable for the entire family. The advantage given by the comparatively level ground is joined by the fact that it goes through a cool environment, enjoyable on even the hottest summer days.
This path runs along the eastern side of the island in its entirety, taking advantage of the paths drawn decades ago for a very different purpose: charcoal burning and cutting poles from the laurel forest for export agriculture.
The starting point is the La Pared Vieja picnic area, which has a spring, BBQ fire places, tables, benches, a kids’ play area and even a self-guided footpath (Atravesando el mar de nieblas – Going through the Clouds), an interesting complimentary activity with kids.
The end of the route is the Túnel Viejo de la Cumbre, the first tunnel built for the LP-3 in the middle of the 19th century. It took all the traffic between the two sides of the island until another, more modern tunnel (which prohibits bicycles), was opened lower down in 2003.
Upon arriving at the tunnel entrance, we’ll have to decide if we want to use it to return to the Valle de Aridane (and even connect to the Refugio del Pilar through the secondary road LP-301) or if we would rather go back the way we came. In the former case, there are a few warnings to take into account: the tunnel has no pavements; its use is shared with the rest of traffic (including heavy vehicles) and can only be used from east to west.
