In Madrid this Wednesday, the City Council of La Laguna was honoured with the award accrediting the Punta del Hidalgo Coastal Trail, also known as the San Juanito Trail, as a Blue Trail. This recognition highlights the environmental values of this pathway along the lagoon coast. The Environmental and Consumer Education Association (Adeac) bestows this award to trails and landscape features across Spain that contribute to sustainable coastal use. The Coastal Path is the sole trail in the Canary Islands, alongside El Time in La Palma, to receive this recognition, making it the only award-winning route on the island of Tenerife.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, the mayor of La Laguna, expressed his delight at “the fourth consecutive renewal of a banner that acknowledges our commitment to conserving and managing our natural and cultural heritage. This recognition celebrates the stunning landscape of our coast and encourages us to continue safeguarding biodiversity while promoting responsible and respectful use of this area by the public.”
The awards ceremony was held in the municipality of Las Rozas in Madrid, attended by Angel Chinea, the Councillor for Works and Infrastructure, Beaches, and Swimming Pools. Chinea expressed gratitude for “this acknowledgment of the efforts from various municipal departments, in collaboration with other authorities, towards conserving and raising awareness about this highly popular trail in the northern region of the island.”
The Coastal Trail spans approximately 2.7 kilometers, following a 450-meter extension completed last year. Starting from Roquete beach, the trail passes through the natural pool at Arenisco and the Punta del Hidalgo Lighthouse before concluding at the San Juanito hermitage. The walk takes around 45 minutes to complete, offering views of the shoreline and its distinctive volcanic formations teeming with biodiversity. In recent years, birdwatching spots have been set up, along with updated informational signposts along the trail, amongst other enhancements.
Furthermore, the City Council, through Urban Planning Management, has designed a plan encompassing six distinct actions to reinforce the regeneration and conservation of the coastal area’s natural resources. This project entails an investment of 3.5 million Euros aimed at enhancing the landscape and biodiversity values present along the trail. The primary intervention will involve removing all deposited material in the area, creating a slope of spills. This will elevate the marine level covered by the spills, aiding in the ecosystem’s evolution.
Other planned measures include refurbishing and compacting the promenade pavement to enhance accessibility, improving and replanting the inner edge with native flora, burying parts of the existing power lines, enhancing and beautifying the space around the lighthouse, and constructing a small square adjacent to the San Juanito hermitage.
Blue Trail Programme
ADEAC is a non-profit association in charge of the Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) international programs in Spain, including Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, and Green Key. The Blue Trail program aims to reward the restoration and elevation of trails and routes nationwide, transforming them into valuable resources for environmental interpretation and nature enjoyment. Blue Trails serve as excellent venues for environmental awareness, acting as a catalyst for societal transformation.
In 2024, ADEAC has granted awards to a total of 128 Blue Trails in Spain, with 30 first-time recipients, amounting to a network of nearly 860 kilometers. The year saw the highest number of applications, of which 76% were renewals and 24% were new candidates.
This recognition underscores the commitment of municipalities and public administrations to restore and enhance trails and routes that promote environmental education and sustainable environmental enjoyment. The program acknowledges the conservation and regeneration of trails and routes, transforming them into valuable resources for interpretation, environmental education, and nature enjoyment through sustainable recreational, sports, and tourism activities.
