{"id":164513,"date":"2026-03-06T12:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T13:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canariaslife.com\/?p=164513"},"modified":"2026-10-24T08:59:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T07:59:37","slug":"big-pine-of-vilaflor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canariaslife.com\/en\/el-pino-gordo-de-vilaflor\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pino Gordo of Vilaflor: the giant of southern Tenerife"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Silent Giant of Southern Tenerife<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the heart of Natural Park of the Corona Forestal<\/strong>, just a few minutes from the village of Vilaflor de Chasna<\/strong>, stands a silent witness of centuries: the Pino Gordo<\/strong>. With a perimeter of about 9.4 meters and a height of about 45 meters, this specimen of Pinus canariensis<\/em> is the sturdiest pine in the Canaries and a living symbol of the resilience and majesty of the Canarian nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Recreational<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other natural monuments that require complicated ascents or special permits, the Pino Gordo is located just a few meters from a secondary road, accessible via a short, well-marked path. This proximity does not diminish its impact: on the contrary, it intensifies the thrill of discovering it suddenly, as if the forest decided to reveal one of its best-kept secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Witness of Centuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With an estimated age of nearly eight centuries, the Pino Gordo has survived multiple wildfires, storms, and extreme climate changes. Its thick, twisted trunk shows scars that tell of battles against fire, while its crown rises with dignity towards the sky, dominating the landscape of southern Tenerife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What distinguishes it from other Canary pines \u2014 a species that is already emblematic \u2014 is its exceptional volume<\/strong>. Just about 25 meters away stands another giant, the Pino de las Dos Pernadas, which is even taller. This record makes it a point of interest not only for botanists and ecologists but also for travelers seeking authentic experiences outside the usual tourist circuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access and Natural Environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Access to the Pino Gordo is easy: it is located next to the TF-21 road, a few minutes from Vilaflor towards Teide, with a small space to stop by the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surroundings are immersed in the Natural Park of the Corona Forestal<\/strong>, the largest forest reserve in the Canaries and one of the most significant continuous stretches of Canary pine in the world. Here, the air is cool even in summer, and the silence is broken only by the wind through the pine needles or the song of endemic birds like the Canary chiffchaff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This spot is ideal for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n