Walking Enjoyment For Everyone In Tenerife

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It's funny the way history can change. Historically, La Gomera was the primary Canary Islands destination for walkers and hikers. However, in 2015, Tenerife really stepped things up when it launched its Walking Festival.

Today visitors from all over the world are discovering the varied landscapes of the island are a true wonderland for hiking and walking.

When the Tenerife Walking Festival was first launched in 2015, around 150 outdoor enthusiasts attended from across Europe.

The second annual festival was held March 20 to April 2, 2016 and featured 15 guided, organised tours that were designed to showcase the breathtaking beauty and diversity of the island - which is particularly magnificent during the spring with the countryside coming alive. Depending on the part of the island that you are on, you will see anything ranging from fields full of flowers, small hamlets, dense laurel forests to beaches with pounding surf, lunar-like lava fields, and dramatic cliffs.

Complementing the hiking opportunities of the festival are numerous other activities, including stargazing, kit surfing, diving, cycling, and of course, relaxing with a nice glass of sangria at the end of your day.



However, it isn't necessary to visit the island while the Walking Festival is taking place in order to enjoy a great hike. Tenerife features 932 miles worth of trails and tracks, which accommodates all experiences levels and challenges.

There are guide tours that are available on a year-round basis throughout the year, and you can also set off on an adventure of you own, whether you happen to be interested in a gentle family walk or rigorous climb.

With all of the plentiful hiking and walking options that are available, we will just mention a few of them. Mount Teide is the top attraction of the island as well its most popular place to hike.



Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide ) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - as well as being one of Spain's best walking areas. A trail that connects Pico Teide with Montana Blanca is the most popular one in the park - maybe because it is among the easiest ones as well. Enjoy the Las Canadas mountains from Montaña Blanca's peak, as well as the lunar landscape and views of the this gorgeous park.

There is also a cable car you can ride up to Mount Tide. Hiking to Pico Viejo will offer you views of its volcanic crater as well as El Hierro, La Palma, and La Gomera islands. Walking through La Fortaleza will provide you with a closer view of the crater.

La Orotava Valley is situated in the central area of the island, featuring a carpet of clouds, stone cottages, and pine forests. From the peak of Montan de Limon, the snowy peak of Mount Teide can be seen. Or you can start halfway in between La Orotava and Teide in Aguamansa village where there are several gentle walking trails that are well marked and suited for the entire family.

On the north coast of the island, Teno Rural Park is a popular hiking area. The mountainous area is almost completely surrounded by the ocean, where you will see cactus plants, leafy forest, and the Masca Gorge, that provides an exhilarating descent for you to enjoy.

The Anaga Peninsula is another good hiking area on the north coast, where volcanic ridges provide thick vegetation and amazing sea views. A circular route in between Chinamada and Cruz del Carmen is frequently cited as the best walk on the island. In Chinamada, you can see houses that have been dug into the mountain directly, and you might pass goat herds as well.

The southern coast of Tenerife also provides great walking and hiking opportunities. The Adeje mountain range isn't too far away from the most popular resort areas of the island. A route that runs in between Adeje and Arona and follows goat-herding track is an ideal option for beginners, while the trail that lead from Ifonche over to Adeje might be of interest to more experienced hikers.

There are also several trails radiating out from Vilaflor, which is a picturesque mountain village, which include ones leading to pumice lunar-like rock formation called Paisaje Lunar.

Maybe you will arrive earlier in the year to get a jump ahead on the festival. If so then you can almost be guaranteed that you will get to experience the almond blossoms and their amazing scent, since almond trees bloom starting in mid-January through mid-February.

The best options for enjoying the beautiful pinkish-white almond blossoms is the Almond Route (Ruta del Almendra) running from Arguayo to Santiago del Teide as well as Volcan de Garachico and Chinyero route starting in San Jose de Los Llanos.

Take a look at the Tenerife Forum site for more in depth information about the island of Tenerife.

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