Maria Jimenez: Nature, Hiking Trails and History

Maria Jimenez lies along the shores of the Barranco del Bufadero, which runs for 7,642 metres through the valley of the same name before reaching the district. When the waves are strong, water bursts out with great force through an opening at the mouth, forming spectacular fountains and creating a loud rumble; this is what the name Bufadero refers to.

Landscape and Nature

María Jiménez is located within the Macizo de Anaga Biosphere Reserve, which was recognised by UNESCO in 2015.

History and Architectural Heritage

María Jiménez was formerly known as El Bufadero. The name María Jiménez became established thanks to a resident named María Jiménez Ravelo, who ran a highly popular fonda in the area towards the end of the 19th century.

The Batería del Bufadero is classified in Santa Cruz de Tenerife as protected military architecture; these monuments are protected because of their importance to the city’s history, as well as their technical and architectural quality. The Batería del Bufadero is a now severely deteriorated military fortification dating from the late 19th century; a plot of land on El Bufadero beach borders the state-owned Batería de Bufadero to the east and María Jiménez beach to the south.

The former Balneario de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located on the Autovía de San Andrés at the level of María Jiménez and has considerable historical, social and symbolic value for the city.

Hiking Trails

Hiking trails lead from María Jiménez towards Casas de La Cumbre or Taganana. The PR-TF 3 Casas de La Cumbre–Valle Brosque–Casa Forestal trail is 7.2 km long; the estimated duration is 5 hours.

Access to the Valle Brosque section of the PR-TF 3 hiking trail is via Carretera TF-11, the turn-off at kilometre point 2, and Calle María Jiménez and Calle Viña La Cueva, continuing to the end of the road in the hamlet of El Pelotón.

For the PR-TF 03 hiking trail, line 076 travels outbound to Casas de la Cumbre and, on the return journey, from Casa Forestal to the La Laguna Intercambiador. The Valle Grande–Revolcaderos–Cumbre María Jiménez route is listed in the directory of traditional paths and hiking trails of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The combination of directions, route details and estimated duration provides an objective basis for comparing the hiking trails mentioned in terms of length and route layout.

Transport Connections

TITSA line 916 runs from the Intercambiador via Valleseco and Bufadero to María Jiménez and continues to Los Valles. TITSA line 945 runs from the Intercambiador via Valleseco and María Jiménez to San Andrés and Igueste de San Andrés.

Other places: Benijo, Cueva Bermeja, Santa María Del Mar, Igueste De San Andrés, Taganana, El Draguito, Barranco Hondo, San Andres

Festivals

The traditional festivals of María Jiménez include galas, open-air dances, sporting events, cultural performances and religious celebrations in honour of San Juan Bautista; the festival programme runs from 6 to 24 June, with the Hogueras de San Juan taking place on 23 June.

For the broader travel overview: Santa Cruz De Tenerife.