Barranco de Acentejo
This deep ravine running down from the highlands toward the northern coast is the historical heart of the municipality: here, in May 1494, the First Battle of Acentejo was fought, where the Guanche troops of Mencey Bencomo and his brother Tinguaro inflicted on Alonso Fernandez de Lugo's army one of the greatest defeats of the conquest of the Canary Islands. The dense woodland and the rugged terrain made possible the ambush that gave its name to "La Matanza" (The Slaughter). Today its slopes, dotted with vineyards and vegetation, still carry that epic resonance handed down by the chronicles and by tradition for centuries.
The site was declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 2007 for its historical value, and exploring its surroundings means stepping into one of the founding episodes of Tenerife's identity.
Essential information
Accessibility
The ravine marks the boundary between La Matanza and La Victoria de Acentejo, and several trails converge along its course; there is no single marked access or specific parking next to the ravine, so it is advisable to approach by car via the municipality's roads and start from the rural paths or from the PR-TF trails that run through the upper area (Las Lagunetas area), where there are parking spaces in the Las Lagunetas center and around Camino La Vica. No bus lines or PMR accessibility are confirmed.
Risk Level
Rugged ravine terrain with steep sections and uneven ground: wear mountain footwear, avoid the course with rain forecasts due to the risk of flash floods, and do not venture off the trails.
