Welcome to Tenerife, one of the most popular Canary Islands that came to life thanks to a volcanic eruption! This island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is famous for its unique nature, the tallest peak in Spain (El Teide volcano), stunning beaches and MUCH MORE. Hiking in Tenerife is one of the best ways to explore the island! Trust me, this island will make you fall in love with it faster than you could have imagined.
I set my foot to Tenerife for the first time in 2021 and spent about 2 months discovering the beauty of this island. In fact, I went through my photos for this post and I can’t believe how many hikes I did throughout this time! But since then I’ve been back to the island to complete my Yoga Teacher Training. It’s safe to say that Tenerife holds a special place in my heart.
So.. you have your flights booked and bags packed. You’re ready to go. Well… almost. Now you’re only missing some hike recommendations for Tenerife. Don’t you worry, I got you covered! I present to you – a guide for hiking in Tenerife. Here’s a selection of most amazing hikes in Tenerife.
hiking in tenerife: Top 3 hikes to do
1️⃣ Punta del Hidalgo to Chinamada
WOW! It’s been some time but I still can’t stop thinking about this hike. I happened to be staying in Punta del Hidalgo and discovered this hike in Alltrails. As soon as I saw photos from fellow hikers, I decided to go and discover this part of Anaga Rural Park!
The hike starts in a cute little town called Punta del Hidalgo and will take you to Chinamada. Beware that from the very beginning of the hike you’re just going upwards. Not going to lie, it can be pretty tiring. Moreover, if you’re afraid of heights, it might not be the best hike to do. I’m personally not afraid of heights but some parts of the hike made my heart beat faster for sure.
However, this hike offers INCREDIBLE views! Most of the time I was in awe to be witnessing this. As for the crowd, I wouldn’t say it was a lot of people but there definitely was some light traffic. Probably also due to the fact that this trail can be reached with public transport, which I think is good. Oh and as a treat, there’s a small bar/restaurant in Chinamada so that you can relax, grab a drink and rest before heading back.
Hike: Punta del Hidalgo to Chinamada
Length: 9 km
Elevation: 607 m
Type: Out and back
General recommendations for this hike: use sunscreen, bring a hat, water and snacks; and start earlier in the morning to avoid midday sun.
I’ve done plenty of hiking in Tenerife and can say that this was one of my favorite trails! Highly recommend!
2️⃣ Taganana to Playa de Tamadite
Another fantastic hike in Anaga Rural Park! As a huge fan of water (i.e. ocean, sea, lake, etc), I love myself a trail that goes along the ocean. This is one of them!
If you want to experience breathtaking views of the coastline, do not miss this hike! You will start in a small town called Taganana. From there you will start walking towards a beautiful beach called Playa de Tamadite. Throughout the whole hike you can enjoy spectacular views of surrounding mountains and Atlantic Ocean. Arriving to the beach is like a treat – make sure to take some time to enjoy the serenity there.
Hike: Taganana to Playa de Tamadite
Length: 8.5 km
Elevation: 427 m
Type: Out and back
I must warn you that the wind can be very strong there, so be careful. Otherwise, as you can see from the photos – the hike is GORGEOUS. Hiking in Tenerife is just magical.
3️⃣ Montaña Roja
Last but not least, I have a special treat for you – Montaña Roja (or Red Mountain). It is very different from other hikes mentioned above but has its purpose, I will get to that soon!
Montaña Roja is situated in the south of the island and therefore the nature instantly looks different and rather dry. This hike can easily be done without the need of having a rental car which makes it accessible. The whole purpose of the hike is to reach the top and enjoy the magical 360° view. Ps. If you’re a sunset lover like me, I HIGHLY recommend you to enjoy the sunset from there, it’s breathtaking!
Pro tip: If you happen to be staying in a cute surfer town El Medano, you can just easily start the hike from there!
Hike: Montana Roja
Length: 4.7 km
Elevation: 152 m
Type: Loop