LAS VENTANAS DE GUIMAR
Las Ventanas de Guimar is one of the coolest adventures in Tenerife. The name, “Mil Ventanas de Güimar,” translates to “A Thousand Windows of Güimar,” and it’s easy to see why. This unique tunnel route takes you through dozens of windows made by nature, is easy and provides a magical hiking experience that can’t be found else where. It is a must do when visiting Tenerife.
LAS VENTANAS DE GUIMAR FACTS
Total distance: The total distance for this hike was 13km for (almost) a loop trail ending in the town of Güímar.
Hike duration: This hike’s duration was 4,5h. Adding a lunch break, this hike should take no more than 5-6 hours.
Elevation gain: The total elevation gain for this hike was 275m.
Difficulty: This hike is moderately easy. Difficulty will of course depend on your experience and fitness level. There is no real danger on this trail (if you stay away from ‘windows) however the 13km distance might be challenging for some people. Not recommended for people with vertigo or fear of heights.
Gear needed: Although Tenerife is warm all year round, you should always remember to check the weather forecast. The highest point of this trail was 1070m. Wearing shorts and t-shirt felt perfectly fine. Nevertheless it’s always a good idea to carry additional layers in your bag, I explained how it works in this article. Due to the nature of this hike and 10 very long and dark tunnels you’re going to need a headtorch. Can you get away with just a phone? Sure. It will just take way longer. Some of the tunnels have very low ceiling so watch your head and be careful!
No strava upload this time since it suddenly stopped working.
My GPS upload can be found here: Windows of Güimar GPX
GETTING TO LAS VENTANAS DE GUIMAR
By car: The starting point for Las Ventanas de Güimar hike is located in Ladera de Güimar. You have to take the Road TF-28 and take a turn on 29.9km. It’s a 2,5km steep and narrow road all the way up to the first Radio Masts “Antena de Comunicaciones”. Here’s a google pin for you.
By bus: The closes bus stop “Marrera” is 2,5km away from the starting point. Lines: 033, 035 and 037 stop there. Check current schedules at Titsa website.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING LAS VENTANAS DE GUIMAR
Las Ventanas de Güimar is a popular hiking trail in Tenerife. You’ll likely encounter many other hikers on the trail, but most people turn back after the first few tunnels. In this guide, I will show you that this hike has much more to offer and the adventure doesn’t end where most people think it does. The trail starts at the radio masts and leads to Pino de don Tomas.
At the start of the hike, you may see a confusing warning sign. Although the hike is not dangerous as long as you stay away from the windows, it’s important to remember that hiking on a closed trail is at your own risk. The trail starts in a forest and leads along a water channel, which can be narrow in some places. Be sure to watch your step and maintain your balance. After about 15-25 minutes, you will reach the first tunnel, located behind a wrecked excavator.
The first tunnel is 210 meters long, and at the end of it, you’ll be treated to incredible views of the mountains and forest below. After about 10 minutes, you’ll reach the second tunnel, which is slightly shorter at 140 meters.
Tunnel number five is my favorite. It’s 115 meters long and filled with dramatic views. Everything around is illuminated in red, creating an interesting illusion from the mix of sunlight and the color of the rock.
The entrance to tunnel number seven looks like the entrance to a dwarf cave. At first, I thought I’d have to crawl to get inside, but it wasn’t as bad as it looked (although I still had to duck). This was one of those moments when you feel like a character from your favorite film (for me, it was Legolas from Lord of the Rings) on a journey through a challenging road to help your friends complete the quest. Weird I know, but hey, lemme be a kid!
As I made my way through the final tunnel, I suddenly realised that I was completely alone. The stunning views of the valley and the Atlantic ocean that surrounded me took on a magical quality in the solitude. I felt awed and privileged to be the only one there to experience those views.
LAS VENTANAS DE GUIMAR HIKE DOES NOT END WHERE EVERYONE THINK IT DOES
At the beginning of this guide, I mentioned that most people turn back after seeing all the windows. But the journey doesn’t have to end there! If you look carefully, you’ll see another tunnel (number 9, 200 meters long) with a low ceiling that might seem short and dark. This tunnel will take you to my favorite part of the trek: a little spot that feels like it’s straight out of a fairytale. In the middle of nowhere, you’ll find a simple tree, that almost does not belong there and much more!
After passing the tree in the fairytale-like spot, you’ll come to a fork in the road. To continue on the second part of the journey, you’ll need to turn left and enter tunnel number 10, which is the longest at 500 meters. This tunnel can be a bit unsettling, as it is very dark, humid, and seems to go on forever. I recommend whistling or playing some music from your phone to stay sane 😀
After passing through tunnel number 10, the trail continues along the channel until you reach Galeria el Aculadeo. Along the way, you’ll often have to walk along the edge of the channel, where a large water pipe runs. The path can become overgrown in spots, but it is not difficult to pass through. The walk along the edge of the Pine Wood forest offers incredible views of Güimar and its surroundings, making it a pleasant and rewarding part of the journey.
After about 30 minutes, you’ll come to another fork in the road where you’ll need to turn right. From here, you’ll enjoy a long descent on a tarmac road that will take you past several fincas (small farms) and other rural properties. The views of Puertito de Mar and Santa Cruz along the way are stunning and provide a great reward for all the hard work of the trek.
After a longer walk through El Riego and La Hoya you’ll find yourself in the colourful town of Güimar. You can enjoy your well deserved coffee or a meal in numerous cute little cafes.
After completing the trek, you’ll probably want to arrange for a second car to be waiting for you at the end point, or you can take a taxi back to the starting point. Taxis can be found in the center of town on the main road, and you can try to pre-book one by calling +34 922 51 36 96.
I hope this guide has been helpful and that you enjoy the Las Ventanas de Güimar hike as much as I did. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Happy and safe hiking!
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!
