CANARY ISLANDS – TENERIFE

6 days
couples, w/ older kids
year-round

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The Canary Islands are a great place for hiking all year round. In the case of Tenerife, however, you should expect a bit more challenging hiking involving considerable elevation changes. Of course, everything can be easily adapted to your needs and wishes. Tenerife is a really beautiful island! In less than a week you will get to know its eastern and southern parts. You will visit wonderful trails, including the legendary Masca trail. You can easily manage without a car here as the bus connections work very well. But it takes some planning. Ppack your comfortable hiking shoes and get going!

4.7 / 5

Your holiday starts with a car rental at Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur Airport. Immediately afterwards, you'll move to beautiful accommodation in a secluded mountain village with few inhabitants. This place is the epitome of tranquillity. On the second day, you'll start the morning with the beautiful Barranco del Infierno trail, then head out to see Los Gigantes and finish the day with a beautiful 9km hike.

On the third day, you will take on the legendary Masca trail. In the evening, on your way to dinner, stop at a viewpoint to watch a spectacular sunset. On the fourth day, you'll climb Pico del Teide; the experienced can walk, while others can take the comfortable cable car almost to the top. A permit is required to climb the last section from the top of the cable car station to the summit. Be careful to get the permit long in advance; you will find further instruction in the detailed description of the day.

You will then take a walking circuit to Los Roques de García and then a beautiful and easy circular route around Chinyero Volcano. In the late afternoon you can relax on one of the local beaches. The next day you can choose from several options, either to take a very nice sightseeing tour seting off from your accommodation, take a car and explore one of the local major towns, or head off to the north of the island where the landscape is again quite different. The last day is spent relaxing and lounging on the beach.

Author: Jirka Maleček

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Guides

For additional info click Travel Info Process

Travel Info

Plane tickets – use your favourite flight search engine. If you don't have a favourite, try kiwi.com.

Car rental – use the local CICAR car rental company. Don't rent a big car; you'll find it easier to park a small one and you'll be glad you had a small car on the way to Masca, for example.

Entrances and hikes – BEWARE some paths and places require prior permission for entry. Very often well in advance! This applies to entry to the Pico del Teide and subsequently to cable car tickets. Then the Masca trail and the Barranco del Infierno trail. They won't let you go anywhere without permits.

Prices at the destination – as can be expected, nice accommodation isn't exactly cheap. Otherwise, prices are similar to mainland Spain.

Calls and data – for EU citizens, everything is the same as at home. WiFi is common in hotels and restaurants and is free.

When to come – you can travel to the Canary Islands at almost any time of year. Just don't count on swimming in the winter months, not even in the heated pools.

Specifics of the weather – the Canary Islands are characterized by very frequent and strong winds.

Process

Buy plane tickets
Book your accommodation
Arrange your car rental
Make a schedule for each day, following our tips
Purchase online tickets or permits to enter the Pico del Teide mountain and subsequently tickets for the cable car, Masca trail and Barranco del Infierno trail
Pay your travel insurance
Download offline maps, for example on the Mapy.cz app

What will you see on the way?

						
Barranco del Infierno TrailBarranco del Infierno
Beautiful trek through a gorge. The path is not difficult, but it is good to come here in the morning, so that you’re not here during the biggest heat. Be sure to take plenty of water. You must always wear a safety helmet here, which they give you at the entrance. After about 3 km you will reach a nice waterfall at the end of the gorge. Return the same way. The views here are beautiful! There is a car park a short distance from the main entrance, here are the coordinates: 28.1236806N, 16.7254111W. WARNING: you have to book the entry to the gorge well in advance. Book it online.

Masca TrailMasca Trail
A beautiful path through a gorge, starting at the village of Masca and taking you all the way down to the sea. You follow the same route there and back; it is about 10 km in total. On the 5 km leading from the sea, you will climb 750 altitude meters. But both the walk down and the walk back up are challenging. Entry is possible only after prior online booking, which you must do well in advance! Before entering the trail, you have to go to the info centre where they will check your shoes, issue helmets which are compulsory for the whole trek, and give you safety information. You need to bring plenty of water and a snack, you can’t buy anything once on the trail. There is a beautiful beach down at the sea, so bring your swimsuit; swimming is not recommended but not forbidden. Children under 8 years old are not allowed on the trail. Good hiking shoes are a must, my wife had to change from her sneakers, otherwise they wouldn’t let her in. Finding parking spaces in Masca village may be a problem. There aren’t many spots, and the parking is limited to a maximum of 2 hours. Start as early as possible in the morning, preferably before 9am, when the parking spaces are still free. In case you’re afraid of getting a fine or simply don’t want to leave your car here for most of the day and the break the 2-hour rule, opt for bus service. You can easily leave your car at the Cruz de Hilda bus stop (28.3133528N, 16.8457047W) and use the bus (beware it doesn’t run very often) or try to hitchhike from there.

Circular walk at Chinyero VolcanoTrip Chinyero Volcano
A circular route around the Chinyero volcano. The easy and beautiful route leads through forest paths and lava sea. The views are perfect! Parking is available at the trailhead. Bring plenty of water and a small snack.

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Arrival, car rental and accommodation

Upon arrival and car pick-up, you will proceed to your chosen accommodation.

Detail of the day

Day 2

Beautiful and easy hike: Barranco del Infierno

Finish the morning's easy Barranco del Infierno hike with a delicious lunch. You'll go to the viewpoint at Los Gigantes and take a beautiful walk back to your accommodation in the afternoon.

Detail of the day

Day 3

Breath-taking Masca Trail

A full-day hike on the Masca Trail, combined with swimming and sunset watching in the evening.

Detail of the day

Day 4

Pico del Teide, Los Roques de García, circuit around Chinyero Volcano and swimming

Hike up Spain's highest mountain and the world's third highest volcano, Pico del Teide – more or less by cable car. Beautiful views on two walking routes: Los Roques de García and the circuit around Chinyero Volcano.

Detail of the day

Day 5

Full-day hike or tour of the city of Puerto de la Cruz

You have several options to choose from today: either go on a full-day hiking trip, go to the town of Puerto de la Cruz, or drive to the nearest beach and just relax by the sea.

Detail of the day