11 BEST HIKES IN ANAGA RURAL PARK + NORTHERN TENERIFE
Tenerife is a top spot for year-round hiking in Europe and can surely be described as the most diverse hiking paradise of the Canary Islands. Not only does it feature the highest point in Spain – Teide Volcano (3718m), but this stunning island also offers a range of diverse experiences. Anaga Rural Park is without a doubht one of the most interesting features this island has to offer and it is also my personal favourite area to hike in Tenerife. From lush Laurisilva Forests, serene black sand beaches to steep trails in Anaga Rural Park. The 11 Best Hikes in Anaga Rural Park in Tenerife is a very detailed guide that covers a wide variety of awesome trails suitable for all levels in Anaga Rural Park + 2 bonus hikes located in the North.
I lived and worked on this island for three months, hiking nearly every day. I’ve explored over 70 trails to bring you an ultimate guide – highlighting the top 30 best hikes in Tenerife. This guide is dedicated for my favourite part of the island where you can find some of the best hikes in Anaga Rural Park. Each guide has a detailed description including the distance, difficulty, gear needed and everything else needed to complete the hike successfully. If you happen to notice any changes on the trail that should be updated – please drop the comment below so I can keep this guide up to date.
11 BEST HIKES IN ANAGA RURAL PARK – ESSENTIAL INFO
This detailed guide is based on my actual experience. That means I have hiked all below trails by myself or with friends I met throughout my stay in Tenerife. In this guide, you’ll find a blend of official, clearly marked trails along with my unique combinations of routes and some hidden paths that only locals know about. Here’s some essential information to keep in mind as you explore my 11 Best Hikes in Anaga Rural Park.
WHERE TO STAY IN TENERIFE?
- SOUTH: For my first stay, I chose El Medano, a surfers paradise with a very nice beach. It’s well connected with Teide National Park and Teno Mountains (1-1,5h drive) and not so busy like other popular tourist towns like: Los Cristianos, Adeje or Playa de Las Americas. Las Galetas is another alternative to choose from.
- EAST If you like city vibes with all the shopping around, it’s probably best to stay in the capital – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Bear in mind that its famous beach – Playa de Las Teresitas is located outside of the city, in San Andres – that’s where I decided to base myself for almost a month. It’s a cute little fishing village with great restaurants and friendly people.
- NORTH You can either choose Puerto de la Cruz – very popular destination among digital nomads or for the most authentic experience – La Orotava with stunning architecture but further away from the coast. Otherwise any of northern towns like Punta del Hidalgo will be a great choice for a quiet stay.
Check out the rates at booking.com below:
Booking.comBest season – Tenerife is an all-year-round destination, but the weather is less stable between November and April. During this time, heavy rain and snowfalls (above 1500m) are not uncommon. In the summer season, temperatures can rise up to 40°C, so keep that in mind when planning your hikes.
Gear – Hiking shoes or boots with good grip are a must. Don’t forget a sun hat, sun cream, and protective gear for wind and rain. Also, ensure you have enough food and water for the duration of your hike. Read my guide related to that topic.
Grading – Difficulty grading is subjective and can largely depend on your fitness level. Always consider your own physical abilities and fitness level and check if you’re comfortable with trail’s distance and elevation gain.
Apps – The apps I’ve been using to navigate trails in Tenerife:
- mapy.cz – I’ve been using it for years now and (except for Norway) they never failed me. Big plus for offline download option.
- maps.me – light app with offline download option
Guide – There are two reasons when hiring a guide might be useful. One: if you’re not comfortable or experienced enough to tackle higher altitudes in Teide National Park or perhaps would like to spend a night there. Two: If you’d like to experience hiking some off-beaten paths in Tenerife.
Transport – There is a fairly good bus network operated by Titsa, but the easiest way to get around the island is by car. I’ve been booking my cars mostly through discovercars.com.
11 BEST HIKES IN ANAGA RURAL PARK + NORTHERN TENERIFE
Here it is. Guide for the best hikes Anaga Rural Park. My personal favourite place to hike in Tenerife. Lush greens, spectacular light plays in Laurisilva Forests and beaches that can only be accessed by foot. If there was only one area I could choose to hike in Tenerife that’d be Anaga Mountains. I am beyond happy to be finally publishing this guide. I put a lot of effort and explored dozens of trails to bring you this guide. I hope you’ll find my “11 Best Hikes in Anaga Rural Park” valuable. Have fun!
AN OLD LINEN TRAIL FROM PUNTA DEL HIDALGO TO CHINAMADA VIA BATAN VILLAGE
This hidden trail from Punta del Hidalgo to Batan and Chinamada is my number one hiking adventure in the Anaga Mountains, and maybe even on the whole island. The whole journey is full of beautiful views of the northern part of the island and the coast. The route takes you through an old linen route from Punta del Hidalgo to Chinamada, passing through the village of Batan where time seems to have stopped. This is a great way to forget about the world for a while.
I was invited to go on this loop trail by a good friend of mine who is an experienced hiker and mountain guide from Tenerife (thanks Sara!). The trail is an old path that is still used by locals from Punta el Hidalgo. It follows a riverbed all the way to the villages of Batan and Chinamada. I recommend starting this adventure in the afternoon, around 3-4 PM, so you can see the sunset on the way back like I did. The route starts near the Mirador Punta del Hidalgo and follows the riverbed all the way to Batan village.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: PUNTA DEL HIDALGO – CHINAMADA
PLAYA DE IJUANA – THE HIDDEN GEM OF TENERIFE
Playa de Ijuana is a true hidden gem of Tenerife. Not only does it offer spectacular views of the Anaga Mountains and surrounding villages, but it also leads to one of the most amazing beaches I’ve ever seen. What makes this place so unique is the fact that it can only be reached by foot. You can’t even get close there by boat, because the tides are strong. On top of that, this remote black sand beach is unknown to both tourists and many locals, making it a true “hidden gem.”
Playa Ijuana trail is a must-do for for everyone who likes challenging trails and remote places. The hike can be demanding, but the reward at the end is well worth the effort. Fall in love with Playa de Ijuana just like I did!
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: PLAYA DE IJUANA
GRAND FARO DE ANAGA
Welcome to Grand Faro de Anaga! Starting in the beautiful village of Chamorga in Anaga Rural Park this hike offers spectacular views of Northern coast of Tenerife. This loop trail will take you through couple of landmarks such as El Draguillo village, Roques de Anaga, and the Faro de Anaga – the famous lighthouse.
There is a reason why Grand Faro de Anaga is so popular, in my personal view it is one of the top hikes on the island. It was actually my first hike I’ve done on the island and I had a lot of fun doing this loop. If you love diverse coastal walks, I’m sure you’re going to love it too.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: GRAND FARO DE ANAGA
MONTE AGUIRRE AND THE MAGICAL LAURISILVA FOREST
Monte Aguirre is the most magical forest experience you can find in Tenerife. I came up with this route by combining a few trails so I could reach the Monte de Aguirre, Pico del Ingles and experience the magical Laurel Forest in the Zona de Exclusion. This short adventure is a must do for all Laurisilva Forest fans.
This is my favourite short hike on the island. It’s not demanding at all, is short, beautiful and not too busy. It seems that that limiting number of tourists in this area works well as I haven’t encountered any crowds, litter or queues. I recommend it especially if you’re into a fairytale-like Laurel forests, this one seriously blew me away.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: MONTE AGUIRRE AND THE MAGICAL LAUREL FOREST
AFUR HIKE IN ANAGA MOUNTAINS
This Afur hike is a beautiful loop trail located in the Anaga Rural Park in Tenerife. This guide is for one of the less-known trails on the island, so you will often have the beautiful views all to yourself. Hiking Afur from Casa Carlos is a serene experience plus it’s also a great introduction to the Anaga Mountains in Tenerife. This trail goes along many different sights including the village of El Fronton and Roque Negro. If you’re looking for alternative and more quiet experience hiking in Anaga Mountains, this one’s for you.
Overall, Afur hike is a great adventure for hikers with good fitness level. I loved it mainly because it was very quiet and most of the time I had the views for myself. The way back might be tricky for some but I enjoyed it anyway.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: AFUR HIKE IN ANAGA MOUNTAINS
PLAYA DE ANTEQUERA – A HIDDEN PARADISE
Playa de Antequera hike is one of those places where you can escape the crowds. This beautiful black sand beach is a hidden paradise since it can be only accessed by foot or a boat. It is also a great alternative to other busy beaches around the island.
This full day hiking adventure has everything I could’ve asked for. Beautiful coastal walk, a serene beach of Playa de Antequera and as always – breathtaking views of the Anaga Mountains. Playa de Antequera hike should be a must do for everyone who appreciate hiking and swimming in remote areas.
FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: PLAYA DE ANTEQUERA HIKE – A HIDDEN PARADISE
ROQUE DE TABORNO
Roque de Taborno is one of the coolest short hikes in Tenerife. This striking basaltic rock, rising 706 meters above sea level, is one of the most characteristic geological features of the Anaga Massif. Despite its relatively short distance of only 6 kilometers, this hike offers awesome views of the northern coast and is a great introduction to the beauty of Anaga Parque Rural. The trail is relatively easy, making it a great warm-up hike for those looking to explore the area.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: ROQUE DE TABORNO
PLAYA TAMADITE HIKE
This guide is for a very beautiful loop hike in the greenest part of Tenerife – Parque Rural de Anaga. This awesome route starts from the village of Afur and goes along a beautiful gorge Barranco de Afur leading to the black sand beach – Playa de Tamadite, followed by the charming town of Taganana, surrounded by a natural landscape with great views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Playa de Tamadite hike through Taganana village is a unique and rewarding experience that lets you explore the real Tenerife. The trail is not very touristy and offers stunning views, unique landscapes, and endless hiking opportunities. It is however quite long and will definitely require some fitness level.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: PLAYA DE TAMADITE HIKE
BARRANCO DE RUIZ – SAN JUAN DE LA RAMBLA COASTAL WALK
Barranco de Ruiz – San Juan de Rambla is one of the most diverse short hikes I did in Tenerife. Although short, this hike offers great views of Barranco de Ruiz gorge and goes along picturesque villages. San Juan de La Rambla is a beautiful town that has one of the best coastlines in the north of the island.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: BARRANCO DE RUIZ – SAN JUAN DE LA RAMBLA COASTAL WALK
CAMINO DE CANDELARIA NORTH
Camino de Candelaria trail has a very rich history, dating back to the early settlers of the region who used it as a way to travel and trade between the various villages. Hiking Camino de Candelaria allowed me to do a little discovery of the history and natural beauty of Tenerife.
This pilgrim route is approximately 27 kilometres long and can typically be completed in one day, however, many hikers or pilgrims choose to break up the journey and stay in one of the towns or villages along the route. This guide is for the first half of Camino de Candelaria starting in Aguamansa.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: CAMINO DE CANDELARIA NORTH
LOS ORGANOS HIKE
Los Organos high mountain trail is one of my favorite hikes in Tenerife. Not very popular, yet demanding and offering some beautiful views. I was lucky enough to do this hike on a day when the clouds were chasing me the whole time.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: LOS ORGANOS HIKE
MONTANA DE LIMON
Montana de Limon is a great warm-up hike before tackling higher altitudes in Tenerife. This 5-hour hike is perfect for forest lovers, as the majority of the climb takes place in a pine tree forest. The trail ends in a lunar-like landscape, offering incredible views of Mount Teide and its neighbours.
Montana de Limon is a quiet trail that is not featured on any of the ‘top 10 hikes’ lists out there. It is a long hike mostly through the pine tree forest and it’s a great workout overall. We were happy with the views we had and enjoyed being alone on the trail.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: MONTANA DE LIMON
I lived and worked in Tenerife for three months, hiking nearly every day. I’ve explored over 70 trails to bring you an ultimate guide – highlighting the Top 30 Best Hikes in Tenerife. Each guide has a detailed description including the distance, difficulty, gear needed and everything else needed to complete the hike successfully. If you happen to notice any changes on the trail that should be updated – please drop the comment below so I can keep this guide up to date.
If you prefer easier hikes that can be completed under 3 hours, check out Top 12 Short Hikes in Tenerife guide. Also check out my guide dedicated for Teide National Park – Top 10 Hikes in Teide National Park.
