TOP 12 SHORT HIKES 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. Not only does it feature the highest point in Spain – Teide Volcano (3718m), but this stunning island also offers a range of diverse experiences. 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. 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!
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 In this guide I’m however, I want to share the top 12 short hikes in Tenerife for all of you who don’t have much time or energy to go after more demanding hikes. 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 12 SHORT HIKES IN TENERIFE – 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 12 short hikes in Tenerife.
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.
TOP 12 SHORT HIKES IN TENERIFE
Alright, here we go! I am beyond happy to be finally publishing this guide. There were days of sheer exhaustion, moments when only massages kept me moving but I’ve put in the work so you can have the best experience possible. I truly hope you find value in my “Top 12 short hikes in Tenerife” Enjoy!
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
PAISAJE LUNAR – THE SHORT ROUTE
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.
I hike Paisaje Lunar twice. My initial plan was to hike Paisaje Lunar taking the longer route from Cruz de Tea. 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, much shorter route to Paisaje Lunar.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: PAISAJE LUNAR
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
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
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
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
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
PICO VERDE IN TENO MOUNTAINS
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, located high above the famous trail of Masca Gorge. This circular route goes through a beautiful laurel forest, panoramic summits and offers great views of La Gomera and La Palma.
This is a very pleasant and serene hike. This trail is one of the less popular routes you can find in this area, especially during late afternoon. I was lucky to be alone throughout the whole journey and I recommend hiking Pico Verde around that time.
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BARRANCO DEL INFIERNO, A STUNNING RAVINE IN ADEJE
Barranco del Infierno is an awesome ravine trail located in the municipality of Adeje in the south of Tenerife. It’s one of the most popular natural areas in Tenerife and it offers stunning views, lush vegetation, and a unique ecosystem that you can explore in more or less 3 hours. If you’re looking for an easy and short adventure, read on and learn all about Barranco del Infierno hike.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: BARRANCO DEL INFIERNO
