For centuries, Las Vegas (The Fields) has nurtured a rich, natural bounty from the Tenerife soil. That affinity with nature may soon stretch out to the stars, with the municipalty of Granadilla announcing the 181,000 euro first stage of plans for an Astro Mirador.

Finishing another 9.2 km walk through the undulating hills and trails, brought me back to the small hamlet surrounding its church square. Looking down to the coast, other Granadilla landmarks caught the eye like the El Medano beaches, just along from the Tenerife south airport, and several clusters of wind turbines inland. LasVegas has always been versatile, the upward paths into the north of the island were a launch pad for crops of figs, fruit, and vines, as well as resin from the pine tres to play a vital part in ship design and repairs.

A modern road veering off from San Isidro to Chimiche, links keen walkers to a small car park before taking a choice of trails and difficulty levels. Nearly three years on from my last delve into this diverse walk, the direction posts and stone steps showed signs of good upkeep, offering several options depending on your fitness levels. As the past unfolded, little groups of other walkers of various nationalities admired the ingenuity of the water channels, and the resilience of the ancient water mill that served such a vital role in day to day lives.

The plans for an astro mirador are well timed. There have been concerns over the increase of commercial night sky trips, but several unused shallow ravines could make fine bases for star gazing. They would be following in noble foot steps. British (of Italian Family) pioneer Charles Piazza Smyth spent many years at Edinburgh University, and Bedford before his final days in Ripon. Smyth explored much of the high ground of Tenerife, and built the first observatory, paving the way for later explorers to capture photos of Halley´s Comet as it passed over Mount Teide.

Birds of many species can be spotted on the walk, and it is criss crossed by other established trails like Vilaflor, higher up. Whether you´re dipping into Las Vegas or taking your time, be careful and go prepared for testing terrain and possible rapid changes of weather.

Las Palomas mirador (viewing point) between La Caleta and Fañabe has always drawn walkers up the modest mount in the south of Tenerife. Swirling paragliders, sea views across to La Gomera, and a clear stretch of coast, and inland vistas of Roque de Conde entice many a visitor to raise their sights, but now a new facelift have given the vantage point a new smooth concrete path, and lights for the later hours.

I found myself wondering if the new iron gates, night lights, and smoother lines had changed the character of the landmark. Thankfully it is still free to head up but with a 10 pm lock up and closer controls on litter, it seems to have diluted its natural footprint, and must cost more for upkeep. A new slogan reminding people of the Adeje setting could have been less intrusive but the disabled access is a big positive. Bikes and scooters are prohibited but sadly there were already people breaching that rule.

Looping around to the pebble beaches heading to Fañabe, cairns of piled rocks still dominated a section of the waters edge. Some people object to these small towers but the designs, originally intended as landmarks, also encourage people to linger a while. It all adds to a bracing coastal walk, have a look at the new mirador as it adds the finishing touches, and you can make up your own mind.