Contrary to popular belief, Tenerife is not just an island of sun, sand and sea. Travel away from the familiar holiday resorts of Costa Adeje, Las Americas, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes and Puerto de la Cruz and you’ll discover incredible UNESCO heritage sites, a fascinating history, and natural beauty like nothing you’ve seen before, as well as a unique gastronomy, exciting activities and so much more.

Trekking is extremely popular, and for me some of the best hiking routes in Tenerife are in the Anaga Rural Park. This 14,000-hectare biosphere reserve full of peaks, valleys and forests is located in the northeast corner of the island. With an almost magical beauty, it’s no surprise that stories of witches, spells and mystical healers are still told in some of the villages and hamlets that dot the area.

There are many routes and marked trails to explore, from short and simple to long and (sometimes) demanding. The Interpretation Centre at Cruz del Carmen is a good starting point, offering plenty of information on routes such as ‘the path of the senses’ and ‘the enchanted forest’. If you can only walk one trail in the Anaga rural park, choose the path of the senses. For me it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

We arrived early in the morning, with the fog still creeping lazily among the trees and the sun’s rays just beginning to break through the dense forest canopy. It’s at this time that ‘the path of the senses’ truly earns its name. All your senses are heightened as the forest wakes up with the sights, sounds and smells of Mother Nature. It’s also a time when you’re reminded of another world, and your mind conjures up the childhood memories and imagination of fairy tales.

Despite its billing as a short walk, allow more time than you think because like me, you won’t be able to avoid stopping every few steps to soak in the magic as more and more light filters through the moss-cloaked tunnels of trees and bushes.

Afterwards, take a seat at one of the many local restaurants in the rural park and allow time to absorb the experience over warming plates of chickpea stew, gofio and rich mojo sauce, making this day out a truly two-in-one magical treat of natural beauty and local flavours.