Tenerife is preparing for the pilgrimage to Candelaria. The Cabildo will allow the route along the Camino Viejo and the TF-28 road on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria, Patroness of the Canary Islands. However, due to the risk of wildfires, access through the mountain—especially the Crown Forest—and the TF-1 motorway will be prohibited for safety reasons.
The Camino Viejo de Candelaria is a route of great historical and ethnographic value that corresponds to the ancient path connecting the city of La Laguna with the coastal area of Candelaria. For a long time, it was the main route linking these two locations. Since 1499, it has been recognised as an annual pilgrimage route associated with devotion to Our Lady of Candelaria and her sanctuary, which has endured through the centuries.
The path is set within an agricultural landscape that transitions from the lush fields surrounding La Laguna to the increasingly arid, windy slopes facing southeast, leading down to the Güímar Valley. In late 2008, the five well-preserved sections of this path were declared a Cultural Heritage Property (BIC) with the status of Historic Site.
Spanning 21.2 kilometres, this ancient royal road is linked to the cult of Our Lady of Candelaria, Patroness of the Canary Islands, making it a route of pilgrimage for the faithful and users since the 16th century. Over the centuries, it has become one of the main references for the Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria, celebrated on 15 August.
Special Titsa Arrangements
Interurban Transport of Tenerife (Titsa), a company of the Cabildo of Tenerife, will enhance some of its services to facilitate the travel of pilgrims for the Candelaria festival on 14 and 15 August. Thus, all services in Candelaria will operate from Avenida de los Menceyes next to the old Station, from Thursday, 14 August at 14:00 hours until Friday, 15 August at 17:00 hours. As a result, stops from C/ Bélgica to Plaza de Teror will be out of service.
According to the planned arrangements, line 122, in addition to its usual route between Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Caletillas and Candelaria, will have its regular service reinforced according to passenger demand from 18:30 hours on 14 August until 23:00 hours on 15 August, aiming to facilitate mobility during these very busy times in the municipality. Meanwhile, line 120 (Santa Cruz-Güímar, Candelaria, Puertito de Güímar) will have more departures starting from 17:25 hours.
Furthermore, Titsa will provide a special service for line 522, which will cover the route La Laguna-Motorway-Candelaria, between 18:30 hours on Thursday, 14 August and 21:30 on Friday, 15 August. The last departure from Candelaria to La Laguna will be at 23:30, following the same route in both directions: La Laguna-North Motorway TF-5-Link Road TF-2-South Motorway TF-1-Candelaria.
Available Links
Pilgrims wishing to start their journey on the General Road of the South will have several lines available with their usual schedules throughout Thursday, 14 August, serving as connections at the following points: Santa Cruz-Cruce de La Cuesta: lines 014 and 228; Santa Cruz-Cruce de Taco: lines 232, 233, 934, 936, 937, and 238; and Santa Cruz-University Hospital of the Canary Islands: lines 015, 102, 103, and 108.
Additionally, those travelling from the South of the island can use lines 111 and 711, which connect Santa Cruz de Tenerife with Costa Adeje via the TF-1 motorway, both outbound and inbound.
Moreover, pilgrims who have used the bus to travel to Candelaria will have free parking at the Interchange car parks in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, from 18:00 on 14 August until 23:00 on 15 August, upon verifying a journey on lines 120, 122, and 522. Users must go to the central parking booth to validate their use of the mentioned lines.
Over 150 Civil Guards
The Civil Guard from the Command of Santa Cruz de Tenerife will deploy more than 150 personnel between Wednesday and Friday, 15 August, to ensure safety during the pilgrimage to Candelaria.
Members of the Provincial Maritime Service, Citizens’ Security Unit of the Command (USECIC), patrols from the Territorial Units of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Company, Explosive Search and Deactivation Group, Weapons Intervention and Explosives, Nature Protection Service (Seprona), Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM), Canine Service, Judicial Police, Traffic Group, Pegasus Team (drones), and the Helicopter Unit (UHEL) of the Civil Guard Zone in the Canary Islands will be involved.
Agents from the Local Police of various municipalities in Tenerife, Civil Protection, Firefighters, Red Cross, and other bodies of the Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands will also participate in their respective competences.
The ultimate goal of the deployment is to guarantee safety and ensure a “peaceful and orderly” celebration of an event of unique characteristics that is in the spotlight of both the island’s and regional attention, where a large influx of people is expected.
