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The “ghost town” of Abades
Map
The never inhabited and therefore lonely town of Abades is situated on the south-east coast of Tenerife near the small village of Los Abriguitos. This in turn is located in the municipality of Arico between Porís de Abona and La Jaca. Originally, Abades was to be used as a leprosy station.
Divers off Los Abriguitos
In 1943, construction began on the “Sanatorio de Abona”. There is the Sanatorio de Abona church, a hospital, administrative buildings, a crematorium and many buildings intended for housing. As leprosy was successfully controlled on Tenerife, the town built for this purpose was in fact never used.
View of the "ghost town" Abades
The area was used by the Spanish army as a military area for training purposes until 2000. In 2002, Italian investors bought it. Below Abades, the small village of Los Abriguitos was formed, which was initially only used as a weekend colony. In the meantime, it has grown more and more. During my last visit there, I also saw a large new construction area. In Abades itself, however, nothing has been built. But there seem to be some visitors. The many colourful graffiti on the walls of the houses are proof of this. These make a walk through the village a very special colourful hiking experience.
Graffiti Abades
A short coastal walk near Abades
That’s why I’m presenting a short coastal hike near Abades today. Actually, this little hike is more like a longer walk. I often get emails that the hikes on the Seven Islands are quite exciting, but for many readers much too strenuous or challenging. So today I’m going to do a really short walk that anyone can do. The exciting thing about this really small coastal hike is that it also leads through the uninhabited town of Abades. Here you have a lot to look at, explore or – if you like – even play hide and seek ().
Graffiti Abades
I am always fascinated by the large, colourful graffiti in Abades, which are constantly being added. When you’re done with Abades, you continue on to the small town of Punta de Abona. If you fancy more, you can of course walk further along the coast to Porís de Abona. From Punta de Abona, you walk back along the coast in a gentle uphill and downhill course. You have beautiful views of the sea, the coastal region and Abades. Since you will pass beautiful sandy beaches shortly before Abriguitos, you can round off your visit here with a swim in the sea.
Track of the small hike at Abades
General information about the short coastal walk near Abades
Starting point and directions
The starting point for the short hike is the car park by the sea in Los Abriguitos on Avenida La Marina.
Starting point of the hike in Los Abriguitos
How to get there by car
Leave the TF-1 motorway at exit 42. Continue on Avenida Ocira down through the entire village of Los Abriguitos until you reach Avenida La Marina by the sea. There you will find ample parking.
Getting there by bus
You can take the Titsa 430 bus directly to the starting point of the walk on Avenida La Marina. You can find more information on the Titsa homepage.
Time
I don’t like to give general times for walking tours, as the times are very individual. I needed just under 2 hours for this short tour with enough breaks to look around and explore. If you like taking pictures and want to see all the buildings, you can easily spend twice that time in Abades.
Difference in altitude and length of the route
The difference in altitude is about 70 metres, which makes it the tour with the smallest difference in altitude on the Seven Islands. The route is about 5 kilometres long and is also well suited for jogging.
Requirement
This tour is really easy and anyone even with little fitness should be able to walk it.
Refreshments
There are restaurants and bars in Los Abriguitos and Porís de Abona. But if it is very hot, you should still have some water with you.
Variants
The tour can be combined very well with other coastal walks. You can follow the coast further north and south and thus adapt the coastal hike to your individual wishes.
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Abades ruins
Coastal walk near Abades
Route section Los Abriguitos Avenida La Marina to Punta de Abona
You start your little round tour below Abades in Los Abriguitos on Avenida La Marina. A few steps will take you to the beach of Los Abriguitos. Walk only a few metres. Then keep to the left. A path leads away from the beach and up to Abades. You can already see the church above you. Here the path climbs a little over wasteland, sand and rocks. You will quickly reach the church of Abades and can easily start your walk from here. On my track you will see a straight path through Abades. You don’t have to follow it. It will be interesting if you have enough time and go into all the side streets and look at the different houses and the graffiti. I also wandered off the streets a bit.
Ruin near Abades
Church interior Abades
Finally, when you have looked at everything carefully, you come to a large closed gate at the other end of Abades on a wide driveway behind a house. Pedestrians can continue along the road. This path will take you to Punta Abona in a short time. This is a small village with a pretty church. Behind the church square and the houses you can walk down to Playa Grande. If you like, you can also walk a little further from here to Porís de Abona, which is already in sight.
Church in Punta de Abona
Punta de Abona to Los Abriguitos section
For the short round trip, keep to the right along the coast. Whether you take the small coastal paths or the Carretera El Faro road, you will soon reach the Punta de Abona lighthouse. From there, the route goes gently up and down along the coast. You have beautiful views of the sea and, if visibility is good, of the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. On the other side, you look out over the wide coastal region and the ghost town of Abades.
Punta Abona Lighthouse
Finally, you will descend over some high cliffs to Playa Cueva de la Arena. Cross this and you will find another ruined house. The path continues to the two sandy beaches of Playa Abades and Playa Cardones. Divers will find a good diving area here. A short detour is worthwhile from here up to the abandoned house on the hill above Playa Abades. Then continue along the coastal path to the beach of Los Abriguitos. From there you will be back at the starting point in no time.
Punta de Abona with a view of Porís de Abona
And finally
I hope you enjoyed this little round tour near Abades. It’s not a big challenge for hikers, but it’s a great walk with lots of colourful graffiti. Have fun with it,
Dagmar from Seven Islands
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