El Llano de Ucanca is one of the most peculiar scenic spots in Tenerife that you can enjoy on your visit to the island and you should take the opportunity to visit it.
Martian landscape
It is because the Llano de Ucanca, by its characteristics and nuances, can be said that it is the closest experience that we can have at present on Planet Earth to walk around something similar to the surface of the Martian planet.
It was precisely in this place that at the end of the 80’s around ten thousand people were called by a radio program called “UFO alert” that made a live broadcast in this place, being considered one of the places in Spain where could be seen more sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects. This event that was organized by National Radio of Spain, the Civil Government, the Cabildo of Tenerife and some local entities, was a success as far as the call is concerned, but a failure when it comes to UFO sightings. However, the call was used to carry out collective relaxation exercises between people who joined together in the Cañadas del Teide and the Llano de Ucanca, as well as sending positive energies to the planet.
It is also the perfect place where dozens of people gather every year to see astrophysical phenomena such as the Tears of San Lorenzo and other extraordinary space phenomena. The night sky can be seen here with perfect clarity, without light pollution This has been worth for the Teide to become Destination Starlight, along with the municipality of Granadilla de Abona.
Place of spirituality
The highest mountain in Spain, is not far from the many myths and legends that attribute to Teide, a divine character. Within the myths and legends of Tenerife, we have already commented on the legend of Guayota, the supposed devil who is locked inside the volcanic cavities waiting to be untied.
The plain of Ucanca is a place that invites to meditation and that some consider favored for the connection with other entities and the spiritual development.
The most picturesque print
Although most of the year, the panoramic view of the Llano de Ucanca resembles an arid landscape that looks like a movie about Mars. But some days in the spring you may find water covering part of it, after the winter snowfall, since the terrain that forms it sometimes needs time to filter the water that is in it.
How to get to Llano de Ucanca?
El Llano de Ucanca is very close to the National Parador on the TF-21 road, on the road that connects La Orotava with Granadilla de Abona.
Departing from Puerto de la Cruz, to reach the Llanos de Ucanca, it will take you just over an hour by car.
If by chance coincides bad weather during your visit to Tenerife or the day that you planned to visit the Llano de Ucanca, do not be discouraged as long as the weather is not extremely bad, since surely, once you pass the cloud cover, you are likely to meet again with a clear sky and leave bad weather under you.
Anyway, before visiting the Teide, extreme precautions, consult the meteorology and do not go into it if it is discouraged by public services.
Mirador del Llano de Ucanca
Although in Tenerife it is usual that when you arrive at a viewpoint, enjoy the landscape that you can see both in front and down, in the Mirador del Llano de Ucanca you will have in front of you a perfect panoramic view of the Teide to its highest point. To see it you will have to incline the head upwards.
The Mirador has multiple car parkings and is perfectly equipped to enjoy the “Martian landscapes” that can be seen in the Llanos de Ucanca.
Roques de García
The emblematic Roques de García, the most known rock formations of Teide, are also very close to Los Llanos de Ucanca, and you should not miss the opportunity to photograph them with the majestic Teide in the background, which will put the perfect brooch to a photograph that you will keep in your memory.
Trails from the Llanos de Ucanca
There is a trail that leaves from the parking lot of Mirador del Llano de Ucanca, about 14 kilometers away. It is suitable for experienced hikers, since sometimes this route can be quite hard.
You can find all the information on the trail from the Mirador de los Llanos de Ucanca on the Wikiloc website.
Experiences at the Teide
Visiting and enjoying the picturesque Marcan landscape of the Llanos de Ucanca is just one of the many experiences that you can enjoy in Teide.
On other occasions, we have discussed some other experiences that you can perform on the highest mountain in Spain: enjoy spectacular panoramic one of its viewpoints, hop on the Teide cable car to climb as quickly as possible to the top, enjoy a snowfall in Tenerife, or see the cloud cover from above, something that in most cases you only have the privilege to see from the airplanes.
It’s time for you to walk on Mars on Earth
If you want to feel like you are on another planet, you have to take a walk on the Llanos de Ucanca on your future visit to the island of Tenerife. You know that if you stay in Puerto de la Cruz you will be just over an hour away and also you can see at the same time some of the most beautiful villages on the island.
Get to know the newly renovated Apartments Ambassador that will be at your disposal, if you wish, on your future vacations in Tenerife, and book now if you are anxious to know this scenic beauty called Llanos de Ucanca.