Here at Tenerife Guided Walks we are incredibly lucky to live and work in Tenerife with its spectacular scenery and diverse landscapes, not to mention our year-round temperate climate! This all makes the island of Tenerife ideal for hiking at any time of the year but particularly late September through to early May. Springtime hiking is a must here for flowers and bird life.
Not to brag or anything, but Tenerife is an island home to rugged coastlines, magnificent gorges, lush forests, picturesque villages, wide open moon-like landscapes, and of course our very own mountain Pico del Teide; the third highest volcano in the world and the highest mountain in Spain.
Tenerife has an 800 km network of tracks, forest trails and mountain paths there waiting to be discovered by the intrepid walker. We have 4 types of hikes for visitors to discover: coastal plains and rugged coastline, villages and surrounding countryside, laurel and pine forest and high mountain/volcanic.
Tenerife is of course surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and features a wide range of coastal trails with stunning views of the sea and the other islands, offering an irresistible attraction to hikers and ramblers. These walks offer spectacular scenery with sheer cliff drops down to the sea, and sea-level walks along rugged coastline and sandy beaches both of which give stunning sunsets from late afternoon to early evening, depending upon the time of year. These trails are ideal to enjoy the wild scenery of the island’s coastline.
Just like Spain, Tenerife has some very pretty villages, some of which are almost hidden. Until recent years, many have been almost cut off until the 1950s/1960s when roads were first introduced. Prior to this, some of these villages were only entered by a dirt track! There are many walks that can be found only a short drive from the coastal resorts which explore the small villages and the surrounding farmland, forests and hills. Many of these villages are steeped in both Guanche and post-Conquest history and are there to be discovered – if only you can find them!
3. Forest hikes:
There are basically two types of forests here in Tenerife; Laurisilva (laurel) and Canarian pine.
The laurel forests are to be found in isolated regions on the north coast of the island, predominantly in the Anaga Rural Park, Teno Rural Park and Las Lagunetas Nature Reserve. These zones are known locally as the cloud forest and consist of mainly evergreen trees and shrubs. They form a dense canopy where little light reaches the floor and so many endemic shrubs and herbs exist. The Laurel forest is a type of humid forest which was more wide spread in the Mediterranean 1000s of years ago, but it now an ecotype confined to a few Macronesian islands including Tenerife.
These forests attract the vast seas of clouds known locally as El Mar de Nubes. This amazing natural phenomenon caused by the trade winds is one of the main reasons that Tenerife has a ready supply of natural water. Also known locally as the elixir of life.
The other type of forest is the Corona Forestal that translates as the forest crown because it encircles the island and is the densest forest in the archipelago. Dominated by the Canarian pine, this forest is quite different to that of the Laurisilva in that the highest areas reach over 2,000 meters in altitude and samples of evergreen wax myrtle and heather shrubs can also be found. The entire forest is rich in endemic flora and fauna. The pine trees are home to many indigenous birdlife, namely the Blue Chaffinch and the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
4. High Mountain/Volcanic hikes:
You may not see smoking volcanos ready to expel lava since the last eruption in Tenerife took place in 1909 from a volcano called Chinyero. However, you can trek through Mars-like environments such as Teide National Park. Tenerife is a unique environment for volcanism; a corner of the planet gathering all the known manifestations of this phenomenon. Film Directors regularly take advantage of this stunning scenery, and many famous films have been shot on location here such as Clash of the Titans to name but one.
For those looking for more challenging hikes there are a range of walks for the adventurous that will take you into the high mountains, along spectacular ridges and through dramatic lunar landscapes. You also have the opportunity to ascend to over 2,500 meters walking at high altitude enjoying some of the most spectacular views available on the Island. Also, of course, there is the Teide 2 Day Trek to hike Spain’s highest mountain, Mount Teide, to witness the longest sunrise shadow in the world.
Hiking is an incredible way to keep fit, get a workout and experience something both beautiful and exhilarating. A hike is a very enjoyable way to experience Tenerife’s great outdoors.
Why not come and explore it with me?
Andy Tenerife Walker
