Las Caletas lies on the western slope of the municipality of Fuencaliente. Rugged terrain, small houses scattered across the area, and wine cellars define the place. Its rural character is particularly evident in the traditional winegrowing: the cultural landscape ranges from narrow terraces on the slopes to facilities along the coast associated with the harvest.

Winegrowing between the slopes and the coast

The narrow wine terraces of Las Caletas are considered a traditional cultural landscape of ethnographic interest. The name Las Caletas is also associated with a cultivation method in which narrow trenches between stone walls are filled with soil. Stone walls and narrow growing areas are therefore not merely individual features of the landscape, but part of the local winegrowing method described here.

On the coast, there are drying areas associated with the cultivation of chocho, or lupins, as well as percheles for drying or preparing the harvest. These places complement the terraces with the work steps associated with the harvest. Those interested in rural culture will find a tangible way to explore it here through cultivation methods and harvesting, rather than solely through the landscape.

Hikes and access

Access to the Bajada a El Puertito hike is via the road from Las Caletas (LP-207) at kilometre 3; from there, follow the track to El Puertito. As access conditions may change, check them before setting out.

The final section of the Bajada a El Puertito hike has a steep gradient; it offers wide panoramic views, including the silhouette of Azufre on the rugged coast. The extent of the views depends on the weather. Keep the steep gradient in mind when assessing the hike.

An older official brochure describes the Los Canarios–Playa de la Zamora Chica route as 6.24 km, with a walking time of two hours one way and a moderate difficulty level. The hiking portal currently lists Route 2 as closed. Route 5, Los Canarios–El Puertito, is also currently closed there; its route description gives a distance of about 1.5 km for the descent from Los Canarios to Las Caletas. Take both closures into account when planning, and do not treat the distance information as an indication that the routes are currently accessible.

Getting your bearings locally

Near Las Caletas is the Llano del Tanque recreation area, with a picnic area, parking, a children’s playground, toilets, barbecue facilities, and drinking-water connections. Check the information about these facilities locally before your visit so you can plan around the amenities that are actually available.

A municipal report dated 8 July 2020 places the start of the rehabilitation of the local historic trail network in the Barrio Las Caletas and on the path to El Puertito. A Cabildo report dated 19 April 2024 announced the resurfacing of the Las Caletas section between the Teneguía junction and El Faro.

Las Caletas may be a destination to consider if you are interested in traditional forms of winegrowing; the terraces and harvesting areas offer a tangible local connection. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can make this choice of location separately from deciding which hikes to take: their access and status should be checked independently before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Las Indias, Los Quemados.

Return to the main travel overview: Fuencaliente De La Palma.