Tenerife is the perfect island for those who want to combine beach life and hiking. I have been to Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos twice with small children. Therefore, I have only explored the hiking opportunities in the area here, but Tenerife also has other areas. Look below. Tenerife is very varied, with lava landscapes, desert landscapes and pine and laurel forests. The height of the island causes the clouds to stop and give off water in the form of dew and rain, so there is a green belt around the island in the height.
If you live in las Américas or Los Cristianos I would also recommend a trip out to La Gomera by boat. It only takes 40 minutes. La Gomera is perhaps the most beautiful of the Canary Islands in terms of hiking. You should set aside a few days if you are going to see some of the island, for example by crossing it on foot. It works well with an overnight stay. See La Gomera hiking
All maps are taken from Locus Maps / openandromaps.
Red are national trails (GRnnn), yellow, green and orange are alternative local trails.
Down from Teide to Vilaflor, GR131
Perhaps the most spectacular trip is from the lunar landscape around Teide, Las Cañadas. Take the bus from the bus station in Las A. or Los Cristianos up to Paradores Cañadas del Teide at about 2100 meters altitude and follow GR131 down. Las Cañadas is in itself worth a visit, a wild lava landscape. The first part runs flat through Las Cañadas, but as you pass the edge you get a fantastic view of the landscape down with the sea far down there. Then it just goes down through rugged valleys and eventually pine forest. You pass among other places Paisaje Lunar, which the name indicates appears as a lunar landscape with fairy-tale-like rock information. They look like tall towers of volcanic rock and are known as Tenerife’s foremost natural sight.
You end along a dirt road to Vilaflor which is a small village with a shady square with outdoor seating where you can enjoy an ice cold reward far from the hustle and bustle down in the tourist ghetto. Vilaflor is Spain’s highest situated village at 1,420 meters. The church from the 18th century is also worth a visit. The bus takes you back to the city. Check the times in advance, the buses do not run often.
Alternatively you can also continue GR131 down to Arona. The trip is suitable for children from 10 years.
Barranco del Infierno
Barranco del Infierno by Adeje is a narrow gorge that ends in a waterfall after 6 km. It is a nature reserve with access restrictions so you must reserve a permit. The trip inland is easy even for the little ones. There is a rich plant and bird life.
Booking: https://www.barrancodelinfierno.es/en/
Around Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos
Las Galletas
There are several opportunities for shorter trips near the city. A nice little walk is from Los Cristianos to Las Galletas over the cliff Montaña de Guaza. It runs partly along the sea and is also great for a run. From Las Galletas you can possibly take the bus back.
Roque del Conde
Another possibility is a small summit hike to Roque del Conde which can be seen behind Las Americas, direction Teide. Take the bus to Arona, it goes quite often. Then follow GR131 some distance up, and then the yellow path to the top.
Canal Intermedio
If you stand in Las Americas and look in the direction of Roque del Conde, you can see a horizontal line along the mountainside. This is Canal Intermedio. It can be followed a long way north and offers a nice view. Take the bus in the direction of Arona, but get off two stops before, at Bar Gela. Walk a little back and follow the dirt road to the right and cross the gorges Baranco De la Arena and del Ray. Then follow the path further on. You will meet the canal when you get around the corner of the hill in front of you.
Tenerife North
Just north of the capital Santa Cruz and La Laguna is a mountainous area that offers the best hikes on Tenerife. Here the climate is far wetter than at the southern end of the island, which makes this part much greener. Among other things, you can find laurel forest as at La Gomera. Many hiking opportunities.
Reed more: Tenerife North– Hiking
West, Santiago del Teide
Here it is and a hilly, forested area with many hiking opportunities.
Other Canary hikes:
Hiking on La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, Tenerife: /canaryislands/
Other hikes:
Mallorca hiking
Madeira Levada hiking
Viñales Cuba, tourism and hiking
Hiking Peru – Inka Trail to Machu Picchu
Phong Nha National Park Vietnam
