This island of eternal spring offers much more than just beaches and all-inclusive resorts. It is an island where you can climb the highest peak in Spain, get lost in ancient laurel forests, and traverse canyons that transport you to another world. Based on our personal hiking experiences, we have put together a comprehensive 7-day itinerary for you. Tenerife Hiking: This guide combines majestic El Teide, wild Anaga, and breathtaking ravines, including all our personal tips and recommendations you need when planning your Tenerife holiday.
Tenerife Practical Travel Tips
✈️ Flight to Tenerife and Transport
A flight to Tenerife takes approximately 4–5 hours from surrounding airports. Renting a car is key for hiking in Tenerife, as public transport does not allow for flexible exploration of Anaga or El Teide, which is confirmed by our personal experience. Book your car in advance!
If you plan to explore Anaga, the parking spaces and roads here are extremely narrow. We recommend a smaller, yet powerful car (even with a manual transmission) that can handle steep climbs. Full coverage insurance is almost a necessity. The roads are often lined with stone walls, and driving past them is risky. Investing in no-deductible insurance will save you potentially high fees for scratches that are hard to avoid on the narrow roads of Anaga. We also had this experience.
If you want to climb El Teide, don’t forget to book the cable car in advance.
☀️ Tenerife Weather and Microclimate
The weather in Tenerife is diverse thanks to the microclimates. While the South (beaches) is usually sunny, the North (Anaga) is often humid and cloudy. When packing, remember that on El Teide, temperatures can be around freezing even in the summer. Always pack a windbreaker, no matter when your Tenerife holiday takes place. (You can find the current weather here.)
🛌 Tenerife Accommodation
Where to Stay Strategically? Choose your Tenerife accommodation based on what you plan to do. The South is for beaches, the North (Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna) is for hiking in Anaga and on Teide. If you’re focused on hiking and trails, stay in the North to minimize time spent in traffic. Accommodation here is also slightly cheaper than near the beach resorts.
Tenerife Hiking
🌋 Iconic El Teide: On the Roof of Spain
El Teide is not only the highest peak in Spain but also an iconic symbol of Tenerife and a must-see for every tourist. You need a permit to climb the Pico del Teide summit. But nothing prevents you from using the cable car to explore the unique formations that the volcanic lava created in the national park. Don’t miss the rock formation La Catedral when exploring.
- Ascent and permits to volcano ➡️ El Teide: To the Roof of Spain
- Unique volcanic formations ➡️ El Teide: La Catedral
🌲 Anaga Rainforests: The Wildest North
The Anaga region is the exact opposite of the southern beaches – it is mystical, eternally green, and shrouded in fog. We recommend climbing with a group. Embark with us into the millions-of-years-old forests and discover which trails in this area were among the wildest, yet most beautiful, that Tenerife offers.
- Two days in the mystical laurel forest ➡️ Hiking Anaga: Two days in the rainforests
- The wild trails of Anaga ➡️ Hiking Anaga: Chamorga a Roque Chinobre
⛰️ Ravines and Canyons: Barranco del Masca and Infierno
Tenerife offers some of the most dramatic descents in Europe, leading through deep canyons to the coast. Prepare for the adrenaline-pumping Barranco del Masca, which will test your knees, and the exclusive Barranco del Infierno route, for which you now need a special permit. The Guimar Windows are a hidden delight, although currently illegal to access. Don’t take a step without a headlamp and helmet.
- Masca Trail: A descent that is no cakewalk ➡️ Barranco del Masca
- The road to hell ➡️ Barranco del Infierno
- The mysterious trail in the mountains ➡️ Guimar Windows
Santa Cruz and the South Coast
The contrast between the North and South captivated us. Especially the wave-shaped opera house in Santa Cruz; the art and architecture here breathed like the Sydney Opera House.
- Capitol, Beaches and an investment story ➡️ Santa Cruz and South Coast
Tenerife is an island that offered us unexpected diversity, and a holiday full of hiking exceeded all expectations. Tenerife hiking: If our detailed 7-day plan inspired you, don’t hesitate. Explore our entire journey step by step with rich photo documentation!
