The abandoned Western town on Tenerife is a paradox of cinematic grandeur and desert desolation, frozen in time on a volcanic island. While the set was never completed, its skeletal streets and weathered facades have become a magnet for explorers, photographers, and history buffs alike. Ready to step into a ghostly frontier and test your navigational skills? Here’s a practical guide to the ten most compelling aspects of this untouched relic—each one offering a glimpse into the past and a challenge for the present.
1. The Main Street – Where Dust Meets Dream
The central thoroughfare stretches approximately 150 meters, lined with faux wooden storefronts that proudly display peeling paint and broken signage. Original set pieces, such as a saloon swing and a broken hitching post, remain in their original placements. Take note of the faded “Sheriff” sign—its letters have eroded to the point of illegibility, inviting you to decipher the original name and perhaps restore a piece of lost history on your own.
2. The Saloon – Echoes of Imagined Showdowns
At the heart of the town stands a partially collapsed saloon, its battered doors still hung on rusted hinges. Inside, you’ll find a long, scarred bar counter and remnants of a once‑bright chandelier, now reduced to twisted metal. The challenge: locate the hidden compartment under the bar that once stored prop whiskey bottles. Many visitors overlook it, but a keen eye can spot the faint outline of a wooden panel still attached to the floor.
3. The Jailhouse – A Cell Without a Prisoner
The two‑cell jail is a compact stone structure with iron bars that have rusted into a deep orange hue. One cell door remains ajar, providing a perfect spot for a dramatic photo. Inside, a solitary, dented lantern still hangs from the ceiling. A playful question to ask yourself: if a wanted outlaw were to escape today, which route would they take—through the broken window, or the hidden tunnel rumored to run beneath the town?
4. The Water Tower – A Tall Mystery
Rising above the rooftops, the rusted water tower reaches roughly 12 meters into the sky. Its metal tank, stripped of paint, is filled with rainwater, offering a temporary oasis for wildlife. The tower’s ladder is precarious, but climbing to the top rewards you with an unobstructed 360° view of the surrounding volcanic landscape. The challenge: take a panoramic photo without a tripod—a test of balance and timing against the island’s occasional gusty breezes.
5. The Old Mine Shaft – Dark Secrets Beneath
Just beyond the town’s perimeter lies the mouth of an abandoned mine, a reminder that the set was intended to double as a mining town. The shaft is partially blocked with wooden beams, but a narrow passage remains accessible. Inside, walls are still marked with period‑appropriate graffiti, such as “Gold Rush ’78.” For the adventurous, the task is to trace the original mining cart path without disturbing the fragile structural supports.
6. The Dusty Corral – Ranch Life Frozen
The corral, once meant to house horses for stunt scenes, now contains only weather‑worn fencing and a few rusted stalls. Scattered horse shoes and broken reins litter the ground, hinting at the chaos of imagined cattle drives. Visitors often wonder whether the corral was ever used for real horses—your challenge is to locate the lone, intact horse shoe positioned near the eastern corner, a small but significant artifact.
7. The Abandoned Church – Silent Sermons
One of the most surprising structures is a small wooden church, its stained glass windows cracked and its wooden altar overturned. Even in decay, the building retains an aura of solemnity. A handwritten dedication on the back wall reads “In memory of the frontier spirit.” The playful question here: can you read the faded Latin inscription, then translate it into English? This linguistic puzzle adds intellectual intrigue to the visual decay.
8. The Overgrown Garden – Nature Takes Over
Behind the saloon, an intended garden plot now hosts a tangle of native Canary Island grasses and wildflowers. The original landscaping plan was to feature desert‑type succulents, but local flora have claimed the space. Scouting the garden, you’ll discover a solitary cactus that survived the transplant—an unexpected oasis. The challenge: capture the contrast between the imported desert aesthetic and the indigenous vegetation in a single photograph.
9. The Movie Posters – Faded Dreams
Scattered throughout the main street are weathered movie poster boards, each originally meant to display fictional film titles. Over time, the paint has peeled, leaving ghostly silhouettes of western heroes. One poster, still partially legible, reads “The Last Outlaw.” Your task is to reconstruct the missing text using contextual clues, turning a fragmentary artwork into a complete story.
10. The Sunset Vista – A Perfect Ending
At the western edge of the set, a low hill offers an unrivaled view of the sun sinking behind the island’s rugged horizon. The interplay of golden light on the rusted structures creates a cinematic tableau that no camera can fully capture. The challenge: time your visit so that the sun aligns perfectly with the water tower, producing a natural frame that highlights the set’s silhouette—a photographer’s ultimate reward.
11. The Hidden Trail – The Path Less Traveled
Beyond the main attractions lies a narrow, unmarked trail that winds through scrubland, leading to a small clearing where a solitary windmill once stood. The windmill’s blades are gone, but its base remains, offering a quiet spot for reflection. The playful question: how many steps does it take to reach this secluded spot from the main gate? Count them, and you’ll have a personal metric of the site’s scale.
12. The Conservation Sign – A Call to Action
At the entrance, a modest sign warns visitors about preserving the site’s integrity. It outlines a simple challenge: refrain from removing any artifacts and leave the environment as you found it. This is not just a rule but an invitation to become a steward of this unique piece of cinematic history. By following the guidelines, you ensure that future explorers can experience the same haunting beauty you do today.
