TOP 10 HIKES IN TEIDE NATIONAL PARK IN 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. This is where you can find the highest point of Spain – Teide Volcano (3718m). I created this Top 10 Hikes in Teide National Park guide hoping to inspire you to experience some of the best hikes in the lunar landscape of Teide National Park. Top 10 Hikes in Teide National Park is a very detailed guide that covers a wide variety of interesting trails suitable for all levels.
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. Today, I’m sharing a new guide that focuses on Top Hikes in Teide National Park. Hope that you’ll find a few that catch your eye, and experience those amazing routes that will make you feel like walking on another planet. 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.
TOP 10 HIKES IN TEIDE NATIONAL 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 Top 10 hikes in Teide National Park.
WHERE TO STAY IN TENERIFE?
- SOUTH: For my first stay, I chose El Medano – surfers paradise with a very nice beach and a great vibe overall. 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 interesting town to consider (much more quiet).
- EAST If you like city vibes with all the shopping available, it’s probably best to stay in the capital – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the only thing is that the city beach – famous Playa de Las Teresitas is located 20 mins away, in San Andres – that’s exactly where I decided to base myself for almost a month. It’s a cute little town with great restaurants, friendly people and an awesome beach.
- NORTH You can either choose Puerto de la Cruz – a busy town full of internationals or if you prefer a bit more authentic experience – La Orotava with its 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.
TOP 10 HIKES IN TEIDE NATIONAL PARK
There we go. I am very excited to publish this guide. Hikes in Teide National Park are simply unforgettable. Many times I felt like walking on another planet. Some of them are very demanding, other ones not so much. Whichever hike you decide to tackle, I am 100% sure you’ll remember hikes in Teide National Park forever. I sincerely hope you find value in my “Top 10 Hikes in Teide National Park.” Have fun!
MOUNT TEIDE (3718M)
Mount Teide standing at 3,715 meters, isn’t just the tallest mountain in Tenerife. This gigantic volcano also claims the title of Spain’s highest point, making it the ultimate hiking destination in Europe. Thousands of hikers are drawn to Teide for its demanding ascent, lunar-like landscapes, and unforgettable views on the way. This guide promotes an authentic hiking experience without using the cable car. I strongly believe that climbing Teide is achievable for most, but it does demand proper preparation and a bit of determination.
Climbing Teide marked my first hiking adventure above 3,000 meters. I can’t stress enough how excited I was to experience such elevations and to see how my body responded to the thinner air. It is a memory for the ages. Honestly, if you’ve never reached such altitudes before, Teide provides an ideal ‘playground’ for a test run.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: HIKING TEIDE
PICO VIEJO SUNSET HIKE
Pico Viejo (3135m) is the second highest peak in Tenerife. This sunset hike is a great alternative to its famous neighbour, Mount Teide. It offers a quieter experience, a challenging ascent and if timed right, offers one of the most spectacular sunset views on the entire island. Don’t tell anybody, but I found climbing Pico Viejo more challenging and interesting than Teide. Probably because not many people decide to go after this huge caldera.
If you enjoy physical challenges and love exploring less popular trails, hiking Pico Viejo should be your next move. Not gonna lie. It’s tough, the trail is often hard to find and the descent is simply brutal but I loved it anyway!
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: PICO VIEJO
ALTO DE GUAJARA
Alto de Guajara (2718m) is one of my favourite hiking adventures in Tenerife. The trail to the top of the mountain is full of great sights, with beautiful views of the Teide (3715m) and the ocean of clouds below. It’s a great intro to Teide National Park and if hiked anti-clockwise it presents a good physical challenge as well.
Alto de Guajara was my first hike in the Teide National Park I chose to acclimatise before going after higher elevations on the island, such as Pico Viejo or Teide. It’s an awesome adventure and a great place to spend some time, appreciating the surrounding Teide Park around.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: ALTO DE GUAJARA
PAISAJE LUNAR – TWO DIFFERENT ROUTES
Paisaje Lunar is one of the most interesting natural wonders in Tenerife. This unique hiking trail takes you through a lunar landscape created by volcanic eruptions, with lava that has hardened into striking rock formations.
My initial plan was to hike Paisaje Lunar only once, taking the longer route from Cruz de Tea. The whole journey was really beautiful, leading through pine tree forests and up to the peak of Montaña Bermeja (1883m). Unfortunately, the weather on that day was not cooperating, and I was unable to see much of the lunar landscape due to fog and clouds. As a result, I decided to come back the next day and take a different route to Paisaje Lunar. This allowed meto see Paisaje Lunar in all its glory and take some great photos. In this guide, I’m sharing both of these routes so you can choose the one that best suits your hiking abilities and preferences. Whether you want a shorter, easier hike or a longer, more challenging trail, Paisaje Lunar has something for everyone.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: PAISAJE LUNAR
CHINYERO VOLCANO
Chinyero Volcano hike (spanish: Volcan Chinyero) is a unique adventure that takes you on a journey through the volcanic legacy of Tenerife. This trail holds significant historical and geological importance as it leads through landscapes shaped by the last volcanic eruption on the island in 1909. Read my guide for this stunning hike featuring some fascinating lava formations and the rich historical significance of the Chinyero area.
Hiking Chinyero Volcano is definitely an extraordinary experience. I mostly loved the diverse venture through pine tree forests, traversing black sand paths, and walking on hardened lava. Basically with each step, I was reminded of the historical significance of the 1909 eruption and the impact it had on the landscapes we can explore today.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: CHINYERO VOLCANO
LA FORTALEZA
La Fortaleza is one of Tenerife’s remarkable natural landmarks located within Teide National Park. Known for its breathtaking views, this unique geological formation stands as a testament to the island’s volcanic history. Although, there are many trails with different difficulty level leading all the way up to La Fortaleza, this guide is for an easy hike that begins in El Portillo Visitor Center and is a great intro to the diverse landscapes of Teide National Park.
It’s an easy hike with various, changing landscapes and a diverse flora that highlights the charm of Tenerife. I’d say it’s perfect for all nature lovers that for some reason can’t cover longer distances or elevation, it’s pretty much doable by everyone, even kids. It’s a great place to start exploring Teide National Park. I hope you enjoyed reading this guide, if you have any questions just drop a comment below.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: LA FORTALEZA
ROQUES DE GARCIA
The Roques de Garcia trail is one of the best short hikes you can do in Tenerife. Located within the Teide National Park, this trail stands out as a prominent attraction with its bizarre rock formations. The scenery along the hike reminds me of the iconic landscapes from the movie “Planet of the Apes.” On top of that, this famous route offers an opportunity to see the rock formation called “Roque Cinchado” or the “Finger of God.”
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: ROQUES DE GARCIA
MIRADOR DE SAMARA LAVA WALK
Mirador de Samara is short but very cool hike located in Teide Park. Not only it is less popular among other trails in Tenerife, it also allows you to walk on lava fields as well as (after a short detour) seeing Cuevas Negras. Very interesting set of caves carved inside of the volcanic grounds. If you’re looking for an easy, short yet rewarding adventure in Teide Park, Mirador de Samara is what you’re after. I promise!
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: MIRADOR DE SAMARA LAVA WALK
SOMBRERO DE CHASNA
Sombrero de Chasna (2407m) is one of the coolest short hikes in Tenerife. This short but rewarding route takes you to the top of the peak, which resembles a hat, and offers panoramic views of Mount Teide, the Las Cañadas National Park, and the south coast of Tenerife. At just 8 km in distance, this hike is a great way to explore the higher elevations of Tenerife in just a few hours. Of all the short hikes I’ve done on the island, this one is definitely one of my favourites.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: SOMBRERO DE CHASNA
HAVE YOU SEEN MY OTHER HIKING GUIDES FOR TENERIFE?
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.
Wish you safe and happy hiking!
