8-day Tenerife Walking Holiday

A private transfer of 30min leads to Vilaflor. This is the highest village of Tenerife, located at 1414m above sea-level, on the Southern side of the Teide National Park. A quaint mountain village surrounded by Canarian pine forests. Legend says that the current name of the town comes from a Spanish Captain who said "Vi la flor" ("I saw the flower") when he came to conquer the town and saw a beautiful "guanche" native girl. A free afternoon to wonder around the town and then relax at our comfortable Hotel in Vilaflor with its spa and outdoor pool.

You travel further north in the morning to start a nice walk through a volcanic lunar landscape with strange rock formations. Walking along part of the Camino de Chasna, a five century- old trade trail, discover the dreamlike rock formations called "fairy chimneys". The walk ends in the center of the village of Vilaflor.

Challenge: 14.5 km / 9 mi, 5 - 5.5 hrs, 475m ascent, 675m descent.

Moving location, the day starts with a morning transfer to the Cañadas del Teide. This is an 18km / 11 mi wide old crater left after the first volcano eruptions on Tenerife; the ones that originated the upheaval of the island. At the edge an impressive peak attracts your attention: El Teide (3718m),  the highest mountain of Spain and your goal today. Enjoy the cable car drive up to 3200m and walk there and back to the Vista Point of Pico Viejo. If you want to see stunning views overlooking the island and  - on clear days - some of the other Canary islands, you can ask for a special permit (via website of the National park) to extend the walk with another 1,5km / 1 mi to the top of the Pico Teide. Finally, walk 5km / 3 mi, after your cable car drive, to the iconic Parador de la Cañadas. A good option for the afternoon is exploring the surroundings of the Parador, visiting the interesting formations of the “Roques de Garcia” (5 km / 3 mi, 1.5 hrs, 250 m ascent and descent)

Challenge: 3 km / 2 mi, 1 hr, 100 m ascent and descent.

Plus 5 km to the Parador (1.5h, 20m ascent, 250m descent)

A challenging, but also very rewarding, ascent to Montaña Guajara (2730m), the second highest peak on Tenerife. At the summit, breath fresh air and enjoy the superb views across the huge Cañadas del Teide Crater, towards the peak and across the southern part of the island. After a good hike and back to the Parador you can relax enjoying its swimming pool, sauna and private gardens.

Challenge: 16 km / 10 mi, 5 hrs, 500m ascent and descent.

A relatively easy walk, as it is mostly downhill, from the feet of Chinyero Volcano to the seaside village fo Garachico. If you think it is much descent, don't worry! You can ask your taxi driver to drop you off at la Montañeta instead saving thus half of the distance and much descent. At the end of the walk you arrive in your charming hotel in the old town of Garachico. This quaint and beautiful historical town was the capital of Tenerife before its was damaged by a lava stream in the important eruption of Volcán Trevejo in 1706. Don´t miss swimming at the natural swimming pools near the harbor! 

Challenge: 16 - 7.5 km / 10 - 5 mi, 6 hrs, 1600 / 600 m descent.

After a short transfer to the village of El Palmar, in the barren western part of the island, you enter an area of open woodlands and farmed areas, ascending to a vista point higher up and from there, along steep barrancos to the tiny village of Teno Alto. Traversing a high plateau with bizarre vegetation of giant euphorbia plants, get to Punta Teno and enjoy the lovely views that on clear days show all the way to La Gomera.

Alternative route: for very windy or warm days we suggest doing a circular hike from Las Portelas, which is better protected and has more shade but equally good views.

Standard routes: 8 - 11 -15 km / 5 - 7 - 9,5 mi, 3.5 / 4.5 / 5.5 hrs, 400 / 500 m ascent and descent. 

Alternative routes:  7 - 10 km / 4,5 - 6 mi, 4 hrs, 525 / 650 m ascent and descent.

During your last day you will explore the rain forest ecosystem in Tenerife, the laurisilva woods in the Nature park of Anaga. Located above the cliffs of the North-Eastern corner of the island it shows  a completely different landscape of lush green vegetation, deep ravines  and steep cliffs. With a choice of two walks today, a shorter and steeper route or a longer but more gentle one. In the afternoon, the taxi will pick you up and drive you to the hotel in San Cristobal de la Laguna. There will be enough time to explore this beautiful historical town founded more than 500 years ago and now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre due to its multicultural roots and influences and its authenticity. Its lively center is fun to visit, with many shops and restaurants.

Short route: 9 km / 5,5 mi, 4 - 4.5 hrs, 650 m ascent and descent.

Long route: 11.5 km / 7 mi, 4.5 hrs, 400 m ascent and descent.

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. A transfer to Tenerife South is included.