The northeastern tip of Tenerife is a completely different world. Forget beaches and all-inclusive resorts, friends. Hiking Anaga. Here begins true wilderness. It stretches from the village of Tegueste through the dense rainforests of the Anaga mountains to the very edge of the island in Chamorga. During two intense days in the rainy mountains of Anaga, we traversed several mountain trails that tested our legs and attention. As a reward, they offered us raw beauty that you won’t find elsewhere in the Canaries.
Anaga
If you’re looking for the most beautiful hikes in Tenerife (with respect to El Teide), the Anaga mountains are the right choice. This green northeast of the island offers wild ridge trails, ancient rainforests, isolated villages, and incredible views of the Atlantic.
Getting to Anaga is an adventure in itself. By car from Santa Cruz, it takes about an hour, but prepare for winding roads and stunning views. If you prefer public transport, buses run from the capital, but check the schedule – they run less frequently than tax refunds.
We spent two days of pure hiking here – from El Bailadero through Roque Negro, Taborno, to Chamorga, practically the very end of the island. No signal, but with a good dose of nature, adrenaline, and silence.
From El Bailadero to Roque Negro via Taborno
At the beginning of our journey, we thought: “How hard can it be?” But nature laughed at our optimism. Taborno trail? More like a “Tab-oh-no” path! But every stumble was worth that view of the “Canarian Machu Picchu”. Who needs Peru when you have this?
Anaga has its own microclimate. While you’re sunbathing in the south of the island, here you can experience all four seasons in one day. Dress like an onion – layers were our best friend.
Guidebooks claim that Anaga is home to many endemic species. If you’re lucky, you might spot Canarian pigeons or lizards. And if you’re a botanist, you’ll be in seventh heaven – you’ll find plants here that don’t grow anywhere else in the world. We couldn’t name any, but we’re not botanists either. The trek was extraordinary.
- Route: El Bailadero → Taborno → Roque Negro
- Length: approx. 12 km
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Difficulty: medium rare (like a steak)
- Highlights: ocean views, rainforest, “Canarian Machu Picchu”, locals transport everything by hand cable cars, it’s easier than a car
The Taborno trail is one of the most iconic routes in Anaga. Although not long, every hour in this terrain is worth it. Fog, damp trees covered with moss, narrow paths along cliffs. The viewpoint at Taborno (Mirador de Taborno) offers an exceptional view of Roque de Taborno – a lonely peak jutting out of the ocean.
Top routes in the Anaga mountains
- El Bailadero – starting point for several routes
- Taborno – scenic circuit + passage to Roque Negro
- Roque Chinobre – short but steep ascent with a view
- Chamorga – easternmost point, start of Las Palmas / Faro de Anaga circuits
- Las Palmas de Anaga – old stone road through forgotten settlements
Hiking Anaga
- Go early in the morning. More fog and rain come in the afternoon.
- Offline maps are a must. Signal disappears quickly. Apps like Mapy.cz, AllTrails, or Gaia GPS work great if you have maps downloaded offline.
- Quality trekking footwear. Slippery stones and long stretches without civilization can surprise you.
- Take water. Lots of water. You’ll sweat more than a politician during a lie detector test.
- Leave no trace. These places are clean, wild, and should remain so. If Mother Nature wanted trash, she would have invented biodegradable tourists.
Hiking Anaga: Chamorga hike trail, the wildest trail of Tenerife >
