Walking on Tenerife

Tenerife is far more than a beach destination — the largest of the Canary Islands offers a dramatic variety of walking landscapes, from the lava fields and volcanic peaks of the Parque Nacional del Teide to the ancient laurisilva cloud forests of Anaga, the rugged peninsulas of Teno, and the deep ravines of the Barranco de Masca and Barranco del Infierno. With Spain's highest mountain at its heart, Tenerife rewards walkers with scenery found nowhere else in Europe.

Now in its third edition, this Cicerone guidebook by prolific author Paddy Dillon describes 40 day walks ranging from 3 to 26km (2 to 16 miles) and taking 2 to 10 hours, plus the 5 Tenerife stages of the long-distance GR131. It combines clear route descriptions with detailed planning information to help walkers of all abilities explore the island's remarkable landscape diversity with confidence.

• The 40 day walks are organised across six areas covering Anaga, Teno, Arona and Guía, the Valle de la Orotava, the Parque Nacional del Teide, and El Teide itself, with three separate ascent routes to the summit described, each requiring a free permit obtained in advance
• The Tenerife section of the GR131 is described in 5 stages covering 94km (58 miles) between Arona and La Esperanza, making it ideal for walkers seeking a multi-day crossing of the island
• Every walk is illustrated with 1:50,000 maps and supported by detailed information on planning, facilities, and public transport, helping you navigate the island from bases in Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, or Costa Adeje
• GPX files are available to download for all 45 routes, enabling easy digital navigation through the volcanic terrain, cloud forests, and coastal paths of Tenerife
• Early spring is the ideal season for walking on Tenerife, though winter also offers pleasant conditions at lower altitudes, making this a popular destination for walkers escaping the northern European winter

With three ascent routes to El Teide, the full GR131 Tenerife section, and day walks across Anaga, Teno, and the Parque Nacional del Teide, this guidebook gives you everything you need to explore Tenerife's walking landscapes with confidence.

Part of the 5-volume Cicerone series covering walking across all of the Canary Islands.

Seasons

Ideal in early spring, but may be too hot for summer or autumn visits. Winter can be pleasant, but expect some cloud and rain, with the possibility of snow on the very highest mountains.

Centres

Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, Costa Adeje, Garachico, Santiago del Teide, Arona, Vilaflor, La Orotava, La Esperanza

Difficulty

The routes range from high and remote mountains to easy paths wandering from village to village. Many feature rocky or stony paths, though none of them are technically difficult. El Teide is the highest mountain on Spanish territory and requires cardiorespiratory fitness and a permit to reach the summit.

Must See

The peaks of El Teide, Pico Viejo and Guajara; the Parque Nacional del Teide and Corona Forestal; the peninsulas of Anaga and Teno; the long-distance GR131 trail; Barranco de Masca and Barranco del Infierno

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Location

Geology

Wildlife

National parks

The Fortunate Isles

When to go

Accommodation

Health and safety

Language

Money

Communications

Walking on Tenerife

Getting there

Getting around

Planning your transport

What to take

Waymarking and access

Maps

Food and drink

Tourist information offices

Emergencies

Using this guide

Anaga

Walk 1 Mirador del Pico del Inglés to Valleseco

Walk 2 Igueste de San Andrés to Chamorga

Walk 3 Chamorga, El Draguillo and Almáciga

Walk 4 Taganana, Afur and La Cumbre

Walk 5 Afur, Taborno and Mirador del Pico del Inglés

Walk 6 Cruz del Carmen, Chinamada and Punta del Hidalgo

Walk 7 Cruz del Carmen, El Batán and Punta del Hidalgo

Teno

Walk 8 Cueva del Viento to La Vega

Walk 9 Los Poleos and Montaña de Chinyero

Walk 10 Garachico to San José de los Llanos

Walk 11 Santiago del Teide, Chinyero and Erjos

Walk 12 Erjos to Punta de Teno

Walk 13 Erjos, Las Portelas and Masca

Walk 14 Barranco de Masca

Arona/Guía

Walk 15 Boca Tauce to Guía de Isora

Walk 16 Camino de Las Cocinas

Walk 17 Las Lajas to Adeje

Walk 18 La Escalona, Ifonche and Adeje

Walk 19 Barranco del Infierno

Walk 20 Roque del Conde and Roque Imoque

Walk 21 Vilaflor and Montaña de la Vica

Walk 22 Vilaflor and the Paisaje Lunar

Valle de la Orotava

Walk 23 Las Raíces and Las Lagunetas

Walk 24 Camino de Candelaria – Aguamansa to Arafo

Walk 25 La Caldera and Camino El Topo

Walk 26 La Caldera and Ruta del Agua

Walk 27 El Portillo to Realejo Alto

Parque Nacional

Walk 28 Izaña and Volcán de Fasnia

Walk 29 El Portillo and Alto de Guamaso

Walk 30 El Portillo and Arenas Negras

Walk 31 El Portillo and Montaña Blanca

Walk 32 El Filo to Parador

Walk 33 Parador and Guajara

Walk 34 Parador and Roques de García

Walk 35 Parador and Montaña Majúa

Walk 36 Parador to Las Lajas

Walk 37 Parador to Villa de Arico

El Teide

Walk 38 El Teide via Montaña Blanca

Walk 39 El Teide via Pico Viejo

Walk 40 El Teide via Roques de García

GR 131 – Arona to La Esperanza

Walk 41 GR 131 – Arona to Vilaflor

Walk 42 GR 131 – Vilaflor to Parador

Walk 43 GR 131 – Parador to El Portillo

Walk 44 GR 131 – El Portillo to La Caldera

Walk 45 GR 131 – La Caldera to La Esperanza

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Topographical glossary