Walking the trails of Tenerife

Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only as you are staying at one location and there are more options available in our route notes.

Transfer from Tenerife South airport to Puerto de la Cruz (included if flight booked through us, optional extra if own flights). Alternatively hire a car and self-drive.

This walk is one to undertake after your arrival, as it will give you a feel of the town and take you past some key locations which you will need to know. If you were to do this as a non-stop march it would take about 2 hours – but there are so many opportunities to stop and relax, shop, take refreshment or sunbathe, that you will want to take your time. No public transport is required, but be warned – this is not a flat town, so what could be a better way of preparing for the hills?

This linear route can be walked as either an ascent or descent of El Teide, depending on time, your breathing and your knees! The walk up gets increasingly hard, with the last 90 minutes from the refuge hut to the cable car station being very strenuous indeed. However, the reward of the views at the top, followed by a swift return to the bus stop by cable car makes it a genuine mountain challenge – well worth achieving. Total ascents of over 1000m and a maximum elevation of 11,670 ft make this walk the most challenging and arguably rewarding, in the programme. For today’s walk, a public bus required to start and from end ( payable locally, not included). A 7-day bus pass can be purchased for 50 Euros and gives unlimited travel on buses around the island.

On your recommended rest day, there are plenty of things to see and do in Puerto del la Cruz. Visit the historic botanical gardens, built and opened in the late 18th century, take a dolphin / whale watching excursion from Los Gigantes (Nov to Feb is best time to spot whales), or perhaps a more gentle walk to Bollullo Beach from Puerto del la Cruz (6.5KM/4MI/2.5HRS return).

Today’s recommendation is a circular walk around the upper slopes of the Orotava valley in the Corona Forestal – popular and easy walking country. Cool and calm in hot weather, and with easy gradients, these slopes are ideal for a less challenging route. Public bus is required between Puerto del la Cruz and La Caldera (payable locally, not included and a journey of approx. 1 ¼ hrs each way).

This is an old mountain trail, leading to a remote hamlet and quaint museum of the Guanches. From the panoramic viewpoint of Pico del Ingles, an ancient mule track leads down a scenic ridge, through laurel woods, past rocky outcrops, to a hillside of cacti and agaves. The remote farmsteads below, with rooms and stables cut into the rock, are still only accessible by mule. Crossing two passes, a descent is made to Catalanes, a small village with a museum exhibiting remains of the ‘Guanches’ – aboriginal people who lived here before Europeans first arrived. After a short ascent along a road, the path climbs steeply to the ridge, giving views of the north coast. It is possible to take refreshments here and wait for an earlier bus or return to Pico del Ingles mirador and catch a later bus beyond there. For today’s walk, a public bus required to start and from end (payable locally, not included).

A long walk almost entirely downhill through the dispersed settlements, gardens and intensive farming of the eastern side of the Valley of Orotava. Most of the route is on ancient lanes, many now tarmacked but still largely traffic-free. The route ends with a coastal stroll back to your hotel in Puerto de la Cruz. Never very wild, this is a great walk to consider if weather prevents doing anything in the interior of the island. For today’s walk, a public bus required to start (payable locally, not included).

Transfer Puerto de Cruz to Tenerife South airport (included if flights are booked through us, optional extra if own flights). Alternatively return hire car to airport.

OR: Optional extension to Canadas del Tiede.

Why not extend your stay on Tenerife with 3 nights at the Parador Canadas del Tiede. n.b. in order to climb Mount Teide, a permit must be obtained. The places are limited so we suggest you do this as soon as possible, and might be wise to check availability before booking the extension.