Anaga Mountains – the evergreen forests of Tenerife

When we think of forests on volcanic islands, we often imagine dry slopes, parched earth, or drought-adapted scrub. Meanwhile, in the northeastern part of Tenerife lies one of the most extraordinary and lush places: the evergreen Anaga Mountains, also known as laurel forests. In this post, we’ll explain why these forests remain green year-round. You’ll get to know what climatic, geological, ecological, and botanical factors prevent trees and vegetation from undergoing the typical seasonal leaf fall, and what this means for Tenerife’s nature, climate, and water.

Anaga Mountains: Location and Characteristics of the Area

The area we are talking about – Parque Rural de Anaga – occupies a large part of the Anaga massif, in the north-east of the island of Tenerife (Spain, Canary Islands).

• Extent: the park covers approximately 14,418.7 ha, which is approximately 7% of the island’s area.
• Topography: from the coast to higher elevations (over 1000 m above sea level), with deep gorges, steep slopes, exposed to winds and clouds.
• Geology: an old basalt massif that has been subjected to millions of years of erosion, creating unique conditions for the development of various types of vegetation.

Thanks to this combination of factors – altitude, exposure to wind, humid conditions – a specific type of forest develops here. We can see the laurel forest (laurisilva), which remains green all year round.

What is laurisilva and “monteverde”?

To understand why these forests are evergreen, we first need to know what type of vegetation they are.

• Laurisilva is a laurel forest, i.e. subtropical forest (or relics of such forests) dominated by trees from the laurel family (Lauraceae) or trees with similar characteristics: evergreen, broad-leaved, adapted to humid, mild conditions.
• Monteverde (literally “green mountain”) is a zone of mountain forest, often with fog, high humidity, and constant access to moisture—conditions favorable to evergreen trees.

In the Anaga Mountains in Tenerife, these two concepts are combined: on the steep, humid slopes, a Monteverde-type laurel forest develops.

Why are they “evergreen”? Main factors

These are the key reasons why Anaga forests stay green all year round.

Humidity and climate

• Firstly, on the northern and northeastern slopes of Tenerife – and especially in the Anaga Mountains – trade winds (north-easterly winds) regularly arrive. They flow over the island, encounter the mountain range and cause condensation of moisture – fog, clouds, precipitation.
• Moreover, annual rainfall in Anaga can be around 900 mm or even more if you take into account the fog drip (that is, the condensation of clouds on vegetation, which then condenses and flows into the soil).
• In addicion, the average temperature is mild – around 15°C (in the described forest area). This means there are no significant fluctuations between seasons. The vegetation experiences neither extreme droughts nor significant winter freezes, which helps the leaves remain green year-round.

Constancy and gentleness of temperature conditions

• The lack of large temperature fluctuations and the lack of frequent frosts means that trees and shrubs do not have to go into a dormant state (as in temperate forests).
• Under such conditions, plants can maintain photosynthetic activity throughout the year, which promotes the continuous maintenance of leaves.

Soil and ecosystem structure

• In the lower layers of the cherry laurel forest in the Anaga Mountains, the soils are Entisol-Orthent types — with relatively high moisture, high organic matter content (~10%) and pH around 5.5.
• Soil conditions + constant moisture mean that plants are not forced to shed their leaves seasonally to survive drier periods.

Relictness and evolutionary adaptations

• Laurisilva is a relic ecosystem – a remnant of the forests that once covered parts of Europe and North Africa during the Tertiary period.
• These plants are adapted to moist, mild conditions and maintain “evergreen” leaf characteristics – meaning they do not shed their leaves seasonally, or do so to a very limited extent.

Geographical location and influence of the ocean

• The Canary Islands are located in a zone with the influence of the ocean, maritime climate and wind. There are no very cold winters and very dry seasons – which favors trees that can keep their leaves all year round.
• In the Anaga Mountains, the altitude and exposure to the north wind mean that moisture is constantly available – even when rainfall is not extreme, fog and clouds provide a constant supply of moisture.

Why is the Anaga Mountains “green all year round” and what does that mean in practice?

The trees in these forests don’t lose their leaves en masse in one season. However, they shed their old leaves gradually, keeping the entire stand looking “green” year-round. The humid climate, however, favors lichens, mosses, epiphytes, and moist understory vegetation, further adding to the impression of “greenness.” The forest in the Anaga Mountains is climatically “closed”. Due to the mists, clouds, and humidity, this forest is sometimes described as “enchanted” or “mysterious”—for example, “Bosque encantado” (“enchanted forest”) 👉 see our video from Bosque Encantado on Instagram.

The Anaga Mountains – ecological and practical importance for Tenerife

Why does it matter that the forests are evergreen – both for nature and for the people of Tenerife?

Water retention and soil protection

The cherry laurel forests in the Anaga Mountains play a key role in water retention. A moisture from fog and rainfall is retained by dense vegetation, moss, and undergrowth, contributing to groundwater recharge. Tree roots anchor the soil, and the permanent vegetation cover limits surface water runoff, minimizing runoff and soil loss, and ultimately protecting against erosion.

Biodiversity and endemism

The permanent, humid forest zone favors the development of plants and animals, including highly specialized species endemic to the Canary archipelago. These forests provide an important habitat for species that might not survive in more seasonal conditions — for example, certain species of insects, mosses, and birds.

Value for tourism and nature education

The unique character of the forest makes it a key element of Tenerife’s tourist map. A walk in the green forests of Anaga is a completely different experience than, say, a beach trip. If you’d like to see the Anaga Mountains, join us on a guided tour with a Polish guide 👉 check out our tour options.

Local climate and microclimate

The evergreen Anaga forest influences the microclimate of the area: more shade, moisture retention, lower temperature fluctuations – it is highly valued by local residents.

Challenges and protection

While these forests are unique, they also face threats. The Anaga forests have been heavily exploited since the arrival of Europeans. As a result, only about 10% of the original Anaga laurel area remains. Furthermore, climate change is being observed: changing rainfall patterns and droughts can reduce humidity and thus affect the functioning of the ecosystem. Tourist and infrastructure pressures. Although tourism is important, overexploitation of trails, fragmentation of the forest, and footpaths can affect its condition. Therefore, free permits are issued for some trails (e.g., the Bosque Encantado) to limit tourist traffic.

Summary

The forests of the Parque Rural de Anaga are evergreen thanks to a unique combination of climate. Humidity, temperature constancy, geology, topography, and vegetation characteristics make it a special place. This ecosystem is not just a visual feast—it is an important component of Tenerife’s water cycle, biodiversity, and local climate.

If you’re planning a trip to Tenerife, a visit to Anaga offers the chance to see forests preserved as relics of bygone times. The experience is unique: walking among the evergreen canopy, moss, mist, and humidity, you’ll feel like you’re in a subtropical jungle, yet just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic coast.