Exploring Walking Routes in Tenerife: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide

Tenerife walking routes

Tenerife is a paradise for hikers. The island offers you the most beautiful hiking routes you can think of. Trekking a volcano, discovering the incredible mountain trails of former inhabitants of Tenerife, beautiful walks along the coast while passing by the stunning natural swimming pools or walking the forest trails are just a few examples! Down below you will find the most popular walking routes in Tenerife. Many of them can be done with a guide.

Roy Schijvens hiking near Masca

Barranco del Infierno hike

This is a very nice walking route in the south of Tenerife starting from the town of Adeje. This walking route is well maintained on a daily basis and is easily accessible by bus, taxi or car. The complete walking route is about 6,5 kilometres and it’s not very difficult. Barranco del Infierno hiking trail allows only 300 people every day, therefore you need to book a ticket in advance. More information about Barranco del Infierno and booking can be found here. It is also recommended to visit the Otelo restaurant which is known for its spicy chicken and Canarian potatoes with Mojo sauce which you can find next to the entrance of Barranco del Infierno.

Roy Schijvens hiking in Tenerife

Walking in the north of Tenerife

North of Tenerife is known for its beautiful beaches and wonderful green nature where a hiker could never get bored. The locals can often be found outside in fresh air in villages such as Los Silos and Bajamar where you can find some beautiful walking routes. The most popular area for walking in the north-east of Tenerife is Anaga where you will find the Mercedes forest that offers you many different well marked trails. You can also book an organised Anaga hike every Monday and Friday through Club Canary.

El Teide walking routes

El Teide volcano, Tenerife’s crown jewel, captivates visitors with its unparalleled landscape. At 3,718 meters, it’s not only Spain’s highest peak but a gateway to exploring the wonders of nature. Many visitors choose to discover El Teide by car or join a Mount Teide day trip, where a professional guide shares intriguing insights. These trips often include time for a leisurely stroll through El Teide’s national park, allowing you to immerse yourself in its beauty at your own pace. The park offers numerous trails that let you experience its majesty without needing to scale the summit. Yet, for those seeking adventure, the trek can bring unexpected encounters with animals that live in volcanoes, adding a thrilling element to your exploration. If the idea of reaching El Teide’s apex calls to you, be aware that a permit is typically necessary. Dive deeper into the specifics of this climb by consulting the detailed guide provided below.

people walking on the rocks

Teide walk with permit

There are 2 different walking routes to the top of El Teide and the tours take place every week which you can book tickets to through Club Canary. You should calculate about half a day to full day for these walking routes and you can choose between an easy hiking tour using the cable lift or a more difficult guided tour where you won’t use a cable car on the way. This guided Teide hike includes permits, pick-up service, mountain guide, cable car and the possibility to borrow equipment if needed. However, please note that the hike to the summit of El Teide need to be reserved at least 1 week in advance as we need to put the permit in your name. 

Man posing in the national park of El Teide

Teide walk without permission

If you want to climb the summit of El Teide during the day, you will need a permit which you can request here. These are often fully booked many months in advance and therefore many people choose the organised hike to the top of Teide as the mountain guide has already reserved a number of permits in advance for tourists. If you want to watch the sunrise from El Teide before the cable car even starts working, you can do this without a permit. You can find two different options below.

Climbing Teide with overnight stay

Near the top of El Teide at 3260 meters high you will find a lodging called Refuge which you can access by cable car or on foot. You have to check in between 17:00 to 22:00. This small hotel on El Teide is the best place in Tenerife for stargazing and it offers bunk beds, kitchen and toilets. The Refuge has the capacity of 54 people so make sure to book your overnight stay in advance. You can leave for the last part of the walk to the summit of Teide in the morning. This is one of the toughest parts of the walk to the top so leave early. Beware that you have to leave the area above the cable car after 9:00 in the morning if you don’t have a permit! For the way back you can choose whether you want to walk all the way down (heavy) or take the cable car back.

Beautiful stars and colors in the sky

Teide sunrise without lodging

This is a challenging walking route as the temperature at Teide can be very cold in the evening and you will walk in the middle of the night. You can park at El Portilo Visitors centre and follow the route to the top of El Teide from there. You should calculate about 6 hours for the walk so try to leave 6 hours before sunrise. Be sure to bring warm clothes and enough lighting.

Sunset from El Teide volcano