MONTE AGUIRRE AND THE MAGICAL LAUREL FOREST

Monte Aguirre hike 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.

Distance: The total distance for this hike was 8km for a loop trail.

Hike duration: This hike’s duration was a little over 2h. Adding a snack break this hike should take no more than 3h.

Elevation gain: The total elevation gain for this hike was 356m.

Difficulty: This hike is easy. It’s mostly flat and doesn’t have any difficulties along the way.

Gear needed: Although Tenerife is warm all year round, you should always remember to check the weather forecast. If you’re unsure on what else to bring for a hike, read this guide.

Permit: This hike is located in a protected area and the number of visitors is strictly limited. The permit is free of charge and has to be obtained in advance (ideally 2-3 weeks). Permit info can be found at the El Monte de Aguirre – Reservas de infrastructuras website.

My strava upload can be found here: Pico del Ingles Monte Aguirre

GPS route to follow on your watch or a smartphone: Pico del Ingles Monte Aguirre.gpx

GETTING TO MONTE AGUIRRE HIKE 

By car: This hike begins in Jardina village. You get there by car driving from La Laguna. Parking should be possible here.

By bus: You can take a bus and get off at this stop although that would mean additional few km of walking. Car is a better option. You can check current bus schedules: here.

MY EXPERIENCE HIKING MONTE AGUIRRE

I began my hike at a rather wild parking spot that had some nice views of the coast. From there, the trail starts through a bush full of cactuses and immediately offers some insane views to the right. Shortly after, the trail then enters an open and exposed area with stunning views of the ocean and the neighbouring islands.

There will be two forks where I took left twice, this part of the trail leads to to the Galeria los Arroyos, where I could enjoy some spectacular views on Anaga Massif and the coast. From there, the trail crosses the Barranco de Tahodio and begins to ascend through a magical forest.

As I made my way to the Pico del Ingles, the path narrowed a bit and became quite steep. However, the effort is well worth it as I arrived at this awesome viewing point at the peak. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Teide (read my Hiking Teide guide here) and the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuertaventura, and Lanzarote. Yes, all three of them.. as long as you’re lucky with the weather of course 😀

LAURISILVA FOREST IN ZONA DE EXCLUSION

The descent from the peak is relatively flat, and you will pass through the beautiful Laurisilva forest, which feels like a fairytale. The forest plays a game of lights as the sunlight filters through the trees. Ok, I know it sounds very poetic but it really feels that way there! You will most likely pass by a little fork and a huge rock before entering a narrow, sometimes overgrown path that offers a true adventure (I promise).

At the edge of the forest, there is a little spot with insane views of the surrounding landscape. From there, the trail enters a darker part of the forest, which seems very suitable for meditation. The trail then begins to ascend again, and you will pass by a cool white dead tree before reaching the car park and completing the hike.

CONCLUSION

Monte Aguirre hike is an awesome adventure suitable for anyone visiting Tenerife. 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. If you’d like to explore Tenerife’s pine tree forests and you are ready for a more challenging hike – check out Montana de Limon hike guide. Other cool short hikes to consider are: Roque de Taborno, Sombrero de Chasna, Paisaje Lunar or Chinyero Volcano hike.

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.

Safe and happy hiking my friend!