GRAND ROUTE OF FLORES DAY 1: SANTA CRUZ TO PONTA DELGADA
Day 1 of the Grand Route of Flores is an adventure from the start. Steep climbs, hidden jungle trails, and Atlantic views so wild they don’t feel real.
Guides to the places I’ve wandered through, from Norway’s wild fjords to volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic.
Day 1 of the Grand Route of Flores is an adventure from the start. Steep climbs, hidden jungle trails, and Atlantic views so wild they don’t feel real.
The Grand Route of Flores is the wildest long-distance hike in the Azores, stretching 52 km through waterfalls, jungle trails, dramatic cliffs, and remote villages. This multi-day trek is the ultimate way to experience Flores’ raw beauty, from misty forests to rugged coastal paths. Whether you’re camping under the stars or pushing through steep jungle descents, this adventure is as wild as it gets.
Discover my 6 top hikes on Terceira Island This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know to explore Terceira’s best trails, plus tips on where to stay, how to get around, and what to pack!
Hiking Rocha de Chambre (PRC04TER) in Terceira is a mix of lush jungle trails, rope-assisted climbs, and breathtaking viewpoints. This guide covers everything you need to know, including the best time to visit, difficulty, and gear recommendations.
Masca Gorge is one of the most popular hiking trails in Tenerife. This stunning canyon route runs through a gorge surrounded by high, several hundred meter-tall rocks, all the way to the Masca Beach.
Looking for a short but rewarding hike on Terceira Island? The Baias da Agualva trail delivers lush jungles, volcanic rock formations, and dramatic coastal views – all in a family-friendly package.
Discover the top 5 hikes on Pico Island, showcasing its volcanic beauty, lush landscapes, and the iconic Mount Pico. Adventure awaits on Portugal’s most dramatic island.
Renting a car in the Azores is the best way to explore its volcanic landscapes, hidden lagoons, and dramatic coastlines. Public transport is unreliable, and taxis are expensive. So if you want freedom, a rental is a must. This guide covers everything you need to know: where to rent, how much it costs, and why booking early is essential. 🚗
Let’s face it: Tenerife might be paradise, but getting around without a car? Often, a nightmare. Sure, there’s public transport if you’re into waiting ages for buses or limiting your adventures to touristy spots. But if you’re serious about exploring this island properly by finding hidden beaches like this one, epic mountain roads (like the…
Climbing Pico Mountain is an unforgettable adventure—steep grassy climbs, volcanic craters, and summit views that make every step worth it. Despite the price and crowds, it’s a must-do for anyone visiting the Azores. Next time? I’m bringing a tent to camp under the stars!
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…
Embark on the Santo Amaro to Miradouro Terra Alta trail on Pico Island, where coastal beauty meets jungle paths, and a hidden natural pool awaits at the end, making it the perfect hike for all adventurers.
Los Organos high mountain trail is one of my favorite hikes in Tenerife. Not very popular, yet demanding and offering some beautiful views.
Experience the Furna de Frei Matias Cave to Madalena trail on Pico Island, a hike that combines coastal views, lush forests, and a peaceful journey with a hidden gem at the end—making it the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Discover São Miguel’s top 10 hikes in this detailed guide, offering stunning trails suitable for all levels. From Sete Cidades to lush forests and waterfalls, explore the island’s natural wonders.
The 30 Best Hikes in Tenerife is a very detailed guide that covers a wide variety of stunning trails suitable for all levels. From the lunar landscape of Teide National Park to the lush Laurisilva Forests and steep trails in Anaga Rural Park, the majestic Teno Mountain Range and beautiful coastal paths.
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.
Top 10 Hikes in Teide National Park guide is meant to inspire you to experience some of the best hikes in the lunar landscape of Teide National Park.
Welcome to Lagoa do Fogo, where emerald-green hillsides meet the deep azure waters of a volcanic crater lake. This hidden gem in the Azores offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Venture to the summit of São Miguel’s tallest peak, Pico da Vara, at 1103m. Delve into lush forests and enjoy incredible panoramas on this unique hiking journey.
Welcome to Lagoa do Fogo, where emerald-green hillsides meet the deep azure waters of a volcanic crater lake. This hidden gem in the Azores offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
From the lunar landscape of Teide National Park to the Laurisilva Forests and steep trails in Anaga Rural Park. Top 12 short hikes in Tenerife is a very detailed guide that covers a wide variety of interesting trails that are easy and can be completed just under 3 hours!
Starting the Salto do Cabrito waterfall hike in São Miguel was an adventure I eagerly looked forward to. This trail, beginning at the Caldeiras in Ribeira Grande, perfectly combines moments of peace with a sense of exploration. With its inviting hot springs and a comfortable area to relax, it sets the stage for an unforgettable journey.
Janela do Inferno trail is one of my personal favourites and without a doubt – a hidden gem of São Miguel in Azores. This short adventure is packed with incredible experiences including a remarkable stroll through a dense jungle, traversing and on top of that, an unforgettable cute, little lagoon. It’s a rewarding challenge for everyone who is willing to explore the path that’s a little bit less traveled.
The Lagoa das Furnas trail offers a nice exploration through São Miguel’s vibrant landscape, mixing cultural landmarks and natural wonders. This circular path, starting at Furnas village, unveils the island’s geothermal activity and lush scenery which is perfect for a leisurely hike.
Rocha da Relva hike is my personal hidden gem of São Miguel in the Azores. This unique trail: PRC02 SMI, winding through one of São Miguel’s majestic cliffs offers a blend of cultural heritage, incredible landscapes and a close encounter with the island’s rich biodiversity. The town itself is also a very cool sight and a great addition to this island’s itinerary.
Lomba da Fazenda hike in San Miguel Island’s northeast offers an awesome 7.5 km long adventure. Starting at the historic Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, this circular path PRC31 goes through the town, past an ancient watermill and along river beds to the bathing spot – Boca da Ribeira. It’s a nice blend of a few viewpoints, coastal paths and a local flora and fauna.
Caldeira das Sete Cidades is a great loop hike around the whole Sete Cidades. It’s a longer alternative to Lagoa das Sete Cidades hike.
In this guide, I’m taking you on a straightforward 13km route around Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Here’s where you can also visit the small town inside the crater and exploring two beautiful lakes: Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde.
Punta de Teno hike is one the most memorable hiking adventures I had in Tenerife. This very challenging, but rewarding trail has everything Teno Mountans have to offer.
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.
Pico Verde (1318m) hike is an awesome hiking adventure away from the crowded tourist routes in the area. Also known as Montana de las Rosas, it is the second highest peak in the Teno Mountain range.
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.
The Roques de Garcia trail and its scenery reminds of the iconic landscapes from the movie “Planet of the Apes.”
Explore volcanic landscape around Mirador de Samara. This short hike takes you through the unique terrain of the Teide National Park.
Chinyero Volcano hike (Volcan Chinyero) is a an awesome hiking adventure taking you on a journey through the volcanic legacy of Tenerife.
Camino de Candelaria South is a demanding route that’s perfect for those who like challenges as it offers over 1500m of elevation gain on the total distance of 18 kilometres.
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.
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.
Monte Aguirre hike is the most magical forest experience you can find in Tenerife as it leads to a magical Laurel Forest in the Zona de Exclusion.
Sombrero de Chasna is one of the coolest half day hikes in Tenerife. This short but rewarding route takes you to the top of the peak, which resembles a hat.
Welcome to Grand Faro de Anaga! This loop trail will take you through couple of landmarks such as El Draguillo village, Roque de Anaga, and the Faro de Anaga – the famous lighthouse.
Barranco del Infierno is an awesome ravine trail located in the municipality of Adeje in the south of Tenerife.
Las Ventanas de Güimar is one of the coolest adventures in Tenerife. This unique tunnel route takes you through dozens of windows made by nature and provides a magical hiking experience.ju
Montana de Limon hike is perfect for forest lovers, as the majority of the climb takes place in a pine tree forest ending in a lunar-like landscape.
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.
This guide is for a challenging route that combines a few different trails around the area. The trail winds its way up the steep slopes of the Teno Mountains, reaching an elevation of 1,350 meters.
Playa de Tamadite hike is a great adventure starting from the Barranco de Afur leading to the black sand beach – Playa de Tamadite and Taganana village.
Welcome to my guide for hiking El Teide (3715m), the highest point of Spain and the holy grail of all the hikes in Tenerife, Canary Islands. This guide is about a true hiking experience without using a cable car.
In this guide, I combined a few different trails and came up with this awesome adventure featuring two summits of Roque del Conde (1001m), Roque de los Brezos (1108), stunning Barranco del Rey Ravine and on top of that – the fascinating archeological area of mysterious Guancha Caves.
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.
Welcome to the moon! 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.
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.
Alto de Guajara (2718m) is one of my favourite hiking adventures in Tenerife. In fact, that was my first hike in the Teide National Park I chose to acclimatise before going after higher elevations on the island.
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.
Welcome to Los Gigantes! This hardcore trail can be classified as an extreme adventure and one of my personal favourites when it comes to hiking in Tenerife.
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