Walking in Tenerife
£12.00
80 long and short walks and 5 car tours
by Noel Rochford
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A guidebook to walking in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, featuring 80 of the best long and short day walks. This book is focused on Puerto de la Cruz, so is the best choice for those staying in the north of Tenerife.
For those who tour Tenerife by car, the drives range all over the island. Walks cover the Orotava Valley, Las Cañadas (El Teide), and the Teno and Anaga peninsulas. (Walks in the south of Tenerife are featured in our La Gomera and southern Tenerife book).
We show trekking routes of varying difficulty, all of which are mapped in detail. Many of the hikes are circular, including both coastal and inland routes.
This guide also features 5 car tours, a touring map, plans of Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz and free downloadable GPS tracks.
When to go: The best months for walking in Tenerife are from October to June.
Printed book: £14.99 / PDF book: £12.00
Purchase the complete book as a downloadable PDF using the button below:
This new 10th edition of our guidebook to walking in Tenerife has been completely redesigned in a wider format – with larger type and no mapping lost in the gutter.
Revised on the ground annually, the guide also has new topo hiking maps with contours at 25m intervals. Based on OpenStreetMap mapping, the maps now show waypoints, and free downloadable GPS tracks are available for all the treks.
Colour coding on the contents page enables you to see at a glance the grading of various walks.
This was the first ever guide for walking in Tenerife, but in recent years the island has become the most popular of all the Canaries among walkers. And for good reason.
Tenerife has something for everyone: country lanes for strolling, nature trails for hiking, and mountains to be scaled — including El Teide, the highest in all Spain.
The profusion of wild plants and flowers makes the island a botanical treasure.
The best guidebook is Landscapes of Tenerife, which shows another face of the island for walkers and picnickers, as well as those who tour Tenerife by car. (Sunday Times)
I found this book reliable and full of facts, which I expected. I’ve used other books in the series since I was a novice walker and found the walk descriptions generally sufficient. (JE, Amazon)
Invaluable historical, botanical and cultural background information… Many of the walkers we met (of various nationalities) also used the Sunflower guide, perhaps indicating that it is the most practical and definitive guide available. (MA, Amazon)
If you are taking a package tour, aim to stay in Puerto de la Cruz, from where the excellent bus connections bring most of the walks within easy reach. If you are not tied to specific accommodation, you may like to spend a couple of days at the peaceful Parador de las Cañadas or you could use hotels in La Laguna or Santa Cruz for ease of access to the superb walking in the Anaga Peninsula.
5 car tours, 80 long and short walks, 30 picnic suggestions
176 pages; touring map; plans of Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz; large-scale (1:50,000) topo maps
10th ed, Feb 2020; ISBN 978-1-85691-529-8; UK retail price £14.99 / USA retail price $20.00
Table of contents:
Preface 5
Acknowledgements; Useful books 6
Getting about 7
Plans of Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz 8
showing city exits and bus departure points
Picnicking 10
Picnic/short walk suggestions 11
Touring 19
THE OROTAVA VALLEY AND LAS CAÑADAS (TOUR 1) 20
Puerto de la Cruz • La Orotava • Las Cañadas •
Los Gigantes • Guía de Isora • Adeje • Playa de las
Américas • Playa de los Cristianos • Vilaflor •
Las Cañadas • Puerto de la Cruz
THE RUGGED ANAGA PENINSULA (TOUR 2) 25
Puerto de la Cruz • Cruz del Carmen • Pico del Inglés •
Roque Negro • El Bailadero • Chamorga • Taganana •
Almáciga • Benijo • San Andrés • Igueste •
Puerto de la Cruz
SPECTACULAR NORTHWEST SETTINGS (TOUR 3) 29
Puerto de la Cruz • San Juan de la Rambla • Icod de
los Vinos • Garachico • Punta de Teno • Teno Alto •
Santiago del Teide • Icod el Alto • Puerto de la Cruz
QUIET CORNERS OF THE ANAGA (TOUR 4) 34
Puerto de la Cruz • Tacoronte • Bajamar • Punta del
Hidalgo • Batán • Las Carboneras • Taborno •
Pico del Inglés • La Laguna • Puerto de la Cruz
THE SUN-BAKED SOUTH (TOUR 5) 37
Puerto de la Cruz • La Laguna • La Esperanza •
El Portillo • Güimar • Arico • Candelaria •
Puerto de la Cruz
Walking (see explanation of grading symbols on page 41) 40
Grading, waymarking, maps, GPS 40
Where to stay 42
Weather 43
Nuisances 45
What to take 46
Country code 46
Advice for walkers 47
Spanish for walkers 48
Organisation of the walks 49
THE OROTAVA VALLEY AND LAS CAÑADAS
1 Two coastal walks from Puerto de la Cruz 50
2 Aguamansa • Benijos • TF21 56
3 Aguamansa • La Caldera • Choza Chimoche • Lomo de los Brezos • Aguamansa 59
4 Aguamansa • Pinolere • La Florida 62
5 La Caldera • Choza El Topo • Choza Almadi • Pino Alto • La Florida 64
6 The Organos ‘high road’: La Caldera • Lomo de los Brezos • Aguamansa 69
7 The Candelaria Trail: La Caldera • La Crucita • Arafo 72
8 El Portillo • Corral del Niño • Choza Chimoche • La Caldera 76
9 Las Cañadas 79
10 EI Teide 84
11 Roques de García and La Catedral 88
12 Montaña de Guajara 91
13 El Portillo • Piedra de los Pastores • Galería La Zarza • Chanajiga • Palo Blanco 94
THE NORTHWEST
14 Icod el Alto • La Corona • Chanajiga • Palo Blanco 97
15 Icod el Alto • El Lagar • La Guancha 100
16 La Montañeta • Las Arenas Negras • Los Partidos de Franquis • Erjos • Los Silos 107
17 Erjos • Las Lagunetas • El Palmar 112
18 Restaurante Fleytas • Montaña Jala • Los Bolicos • Degollada de la Mesa • Restaurante Fleytas 115
19 La Tabaiba • Teno Alto • Buenavista 119
20 La Montañeta (El Palmar) • Teno Alto • Teno Bajo • (Faro de Teno) • Buenavista 122
21 Los Silos • Talavera • Los Silos 126
THE ANAGA PENINSULA
22 Punta del Hidalgo • Batán de Abajo • Bejía • Punta del Hidalgo 130
23 Punta del Hidalgo • Chinamada • Las Carboneras 133
24 Las Carboneras • Taborno • Roque de Taborno • Casa Carlos 136
25 Casa Carlos• Afur • Playa de Tamadiste • Afur • Roque Negro • TF12 139
26 Pico del Inglés • Barranco de Tahodio • Santa Cruz 143
27 Taganana • Afur • Taborno • Las Carboneras 145
28 El Bailadero • Chinobre • Cabezo del Tejo • El Draguillo • Roque de las Bodegas 149
29 Chamorga • Roque Bermejo • Faro de Anaga • Tafada • Chamorga 152
30 Igueste • Barranco de Zapata • Playa de Antequera • Barranco de Antequera • Igueste 155
Bus timetables 159
Index 164
Fold-out island map inside back cover
Drawings of island flora 24, 28, 129, 135
Geographical names comprise the only entries in this index. For all other entries, see Contents, page 3. A page number in bold type indicates a photograph; a page number in italic type indicates a map (both may be in addition to a text reference on the same page. ‘TM’ refers to the large-scale walking map of the Anaga Peninsula on the reverse of the touring map. See also Bus timetable index, page 159.
Adeje (Ah-day-hay) 20, 23
Afur (Ah-foor) 17, 26, 139, 140, 141, 142, 145, 147, 148, 159, TM
Aguamansa (Ah-gwah-mahn-sah) 20, 56-7, 59, 60, 62, 65, 69, 70, 159
Alcalá (Ahl-kah-lah) 23
Almáciga (Al-mah-see-gah) 25, 28, TM
Anaga Peninsula (Ah-nah-gah) 25, 34-5, 130-158, TM
Arafo (Ah-rah-foh) 72-3, 75
Arico (Ah-ree-koh) 37
Arona (Ah-roh-nah) 24, 159
Bajamar (Bah-hah-mar) 34
Barranco (Bah-rahn-koh) river, ravine
Afur de Tamadiste (Ah-foor day Tahmah-dees-tay) 140, TM
de Antequera (day Ahn-tay-kay-rah) 155, 157, TM
de Bucarón (day Buh-kah-rohn) 127, 129
de Guarda 140, TM
de Igueste (day Eeg-west-tay) 156, 158, TM
de la Arena 51, 52
de la Madre del Agua 64, 65, 66, 70
de las Cuevas (day lahs Koo-ay-vahs) 122-3, 124, 125
de los Llanos (day lohs Lyah-nos) 11, 60, 72-3, 78
de Roque Bermejo (day Roh-kay Behr-may-hoh) 153, TM
de Taborno (day Tah-bor-noh) 137, TM
de Tahodio (day Tah-hoe-dee-oh) 17, 143, 144, TM
de Valle Luis (day Bahl-yay Loois) 143, TM
de Zapata (day Thah-pah-tah) 155, TM
del Agua (dayl Ah-gwah) 42-3, TM
del Río (dayl Ree-oh) 131, 133, 134, TM
Seco 132, TM
Barranco Ruiz 30, 53, 54-5, 105, 106
Barrio de la Alegría (Bah-ree-oh day lah Ah-lay-gree-ah) 144, TM
Batán de Abajo (Bah-tan day Ah-bah-hoh) 14, 34, 130, 132, TM
Bejía (Bay-hee-ah) 130, TM
Benijo (Bay-nee-hoh) 25, 28, 149, TM
Benijos (Bay-nee-hohs) 56-7, 58, 159
Boca Tauce (Boh-kah Too-say) 22
Buenavista (Boo-ay-nah-bees-tah) 14-5, 30, 114, 115, 117, 119, 121, 122-3, 125, 127, 159
Cabezo del Tejo (Kah-bay-thoh dayl Tay-hoh) 149, 151, TM
Café Vista Paraíso 50, 51, 52
Camino de las Crucitas (Kah-meen-oh day lahs Croo-thee-tahs) 61, 69, 70
Cañada (plain of sedimentary rock) (Kahn-yah-dah)
Blanca (Blahn-kah) 82-3
de la Grieta (day lah Gree-ay-tah) 80, 82-3
de las Pilas (day lahs Pee-lahs) 80, 82-3
de los Guancheros (day lohs Goo-an-shay-rohs) 12, 76-7, 94, 95
Canal Vergara (Kah-nahl Vair-gah-rah) 107, 108-9, 110
Candelaria (Lah Kahn-day-lah-ree-ah) 37, 72-3, 38-9
Candelaria Trail 11, 72-3, 74
Casa Carlos 26, 34-5, 136, 138, 139, 140, 159, TM
Casa Forestal de Anaga 145, TM
Chamorga (Shah-more-gah) 17, 25, 27, 149, 152, 153, 154, TM
Chanajiga (Shah-nah-gee-gah) 12, 56, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99
Chinamada (She-nah-mah-dah) 16, 36, 133, 134, 135, TM
Chinobre (She-noh-bray) 149, 150, TM
Chio (She-oh) 22
Choza (shelter) (Show-thah)
Almadi 64, 65, 68
Bermeja 76-7
Chimoche (She-moh-shay) 11, 56-7, 59, 60, 62, 63, 70, 72-3, 76-7, 78
Cruz de Fregel (Crooth day Fraygayl) 94, 95
Cruz de Luis 98
El Topo 11, 64, 65, 70
Enrique Talg 98
Inge Jua 64, 65, 70
Pedro Gil 60, 61, 65, 69, 70, 76-7
Perez Ventoso (Pay-rayth Behn-toh-soh) 62, 64, 65
Piedra de los Pastores (Pee-ay-drah day lohs Pahs-toh-rays) 94, 96
Corral del Niño (Koh-rahl dayl Neenyoh) 76-7
Costa Adeje 23
Cruz de Hilda 116-7
Cruz de las Lajitas (Krooth day lahs Lah-hee-tahs) 65, 68
Cruz del Carmen (Krooth dayl Kahrmayn) 25, 26, 35, 41, 159, TM
Cuesta de la Villa (Koo-ays-tah day lah Beel-yah) 52
Cueva del Hielo (Koo-ay-vah dayl Heeay-loh) 82-3, 86
Cuevas de los Roques (Koo-ay-vahs day lohs Roh-kays) 88, 89
Cuevas Negras, Las (Lahs Koo-ay-vahs Nay-grahs) 108-9, 111
Cuevitas de Limón (Koo-ay-bee-tahs day Lee-mohn) 76-7
Degollada (pass) (Day-gohl-yah-dah)
de Guajara (day Goo-ah-hah-rah) 91, 93
de Ucanca (day Oo-kahn-kah) 92, 93
del Cedro (dayl Say-droh) 94, 95
de la Mesa (day lah May-sah) 115, 116-7, 118
El Cabezón (Ayl Kah-bay-thohn) 94, 95
El Draguillo (Ayl Drah-geel-yoh) 28, 149, 150-1, 152, TM
El Lagar (Ayl Lah-gahr) 13, 100, 101, 102-3
El Palmar (Ayl Pahl-mahr) 31, 32-3, 112-3, 114, 159
El Pijaral 24-5, 27, 150, TM
El Portillo (Ayl Poor-teel-yoh) 12, 20, 37, 38, 41, 76-7, 82-3, 84, 94, 95, 96, 159
El Rincón (Ayl Reen-kohn) 52
El Tanque (Ayl Tahn-kay) 33
El Teide (Ayl Tay-ee-day) 22, 35, 43, 58-8, 67, 78, 82-3, 84-5, 87, 88-9, 159, cover
El Turrón 115, 117
Erjos (Air-hohs) 13, 14, 33, 107, 108-9, 111, 112, 114, 116-7, 116-7, 159
Faro (lighthouse) (Fah-roh)
de Anaga (day Ah-nah-gah) 152, 153, 154, TM
de Teno (day Tay-noh) 122-3, 124, 125
Fasnia (Fahs-nee-ah) 39
Forestal Park 37
Galería (water gallery) (Gah-lay-reeah) 44
Chimoche 56-7, 60, 70, 72-3, 76-7, 78
La Fortuita 56-7, 58
La Puente 60, 70, 72-3
La Zarza 94, 96
Las Moradas 114, 127, 128
Pino Soler 56-7, 58
Vergara Alta 108-9, 110
Garachico (Gah-rah-shee-koh) 29, 30, 43
Guía de Isora (Gee-ah day Ee-soh-rah) 20, 23
Güimar (Gwee-mahr) 38, 38-9
Icod de los Vinos (Ee-kod day lohs Bee-nohs) 29, 30, 33, 43, 159
Icod el Alto (Ee-kod ayl Ahl-toh) 29, 33, 54-5, 97, 98, 100, 102-3, 104, 105, 159
Igueste (Eeg-west-tay) 17, 25, 28, 155, 156, 157, 158, TM
La Caldera (Lah Kahl-day-rah) 12, 20, 56-7, 59, 60, 63, 64, 65, 69, 70, 71, 72-3, 76-7, 78, 159
La Catedral (Lah Kah-tay-drahl) 88, 90
La Cumbrilla (Lah Koom-breel-yah) TM
La Ensillada 150, TM
La Esperanza (Lah Es-pay-rahn-thah) 37
La Florida (Lah Floh-ree-dah) 62, 63, 64, 65, 68
La Fortaleza (Lah For-tah-lay-thah) 94, 95
La Guancha (Lah Gwan-shah) 33, 100, 102-3, 104, 105, 159
La Laguna (Lah Lah-goo-nah) 7, 34, 36-7, 43, 159
La Orotava, La (Lah Oh-roh-tah-bah) 20, 159
La Siete (Lah See-ay-tay) 14, 31, 119, 120-1
La Tabaiba (pass) (Lah Tah-bye-bah) 14, 31, 110-1, 112, 114, 115, 117, 119
Las Aguas 53, 54-5
Las Arenas Negras (Lahs Ah-ray-nahs Nay-grahs) 13, 107, 108-9
Las Bodegas (Lahs Boh-day-gahs) 155, TM
Las Cañadas (Lahs Kahn-yah-dahs) 12, 20, 21, 22-3, 45, 80-1, 82-3, 92-3, 159
Parador (Pah-rah-door) 22, 43, 79, 81, 82-3, 91, 93, 159
Visitors’ Centre see El Portillo
Las Canteras (Lahs Kahn-tay-rahs) 34
Las Carboneras (Lahs Kahr-boh-nayrahs) 34, 36, 133, 135, 136, 137, 145, 146, 148, 159, TM
Las Casillas (Lahs Kah-seel-yahs) 17, 27, 155, TM
Las Lagunetas (Lahs Lah-goo-nay-tahs) 112, 114
Las Lajas (Lahs Lah-hahs) 20, 24
Las Moradas 112, 114, 127, 128, 129
Las Palmas (Lahs Pahl-mahs) TM
Las Raices (Lahs Rah-ee-thays) 37
Llano de Ucanca (L-yah-noh day Oo-kahn-kah) 82-3, 88, 90
Lomo de los Brezos (Loh-moh day lohs Bray-thos) 59, 60, 69, 70, 76-7
Los Bolicos (Lohs Boh-lee-kohs) 115, 116-7, 118
Los Cristianos, see Playa de
Los Gigantes (Lohs Jee-gahn-tays) 20, 23, 159
Los Hermanos 130-1, 133, TM
Los Lavaderos 112, 114
Los Organos (Lohs Ohr-gah-nohs) 60, 69, 70, 71, 72-3
Los Partidos de Franquis (Lohs Par-tee-dohs day Frahn-kees) 107, 108-9, 111
Los Realejos (Lohs Ray-ahl-ay-hohs) 33, 54-5, 98, 159
Los Roques de García (Lohs Roh-kays day Gahr-thee-ah) 12, 22, 82-3, 88, 88-9, 90, cover
Los Silos (Lohs See-lohs) 30, 107, 108-9, 126, 127, 128, 129, 159
Masca (Mahs-kah) 31, 32
Mirador (viewpoint) (Mee-rah-door)
de Aguaide 16, 133, 134, 135, TM
de Baracán (day Bah-rah-kaan) 14, 31, 32-3, 116-7, 119, 120
de Chimague 37
de Chipeque 37
de Garachico (day Gah-rah-shee-koh) 33
de Pico Viejo (day Pee-koh Bee-ayhoh) 79, 82-3
de la Fortaleza (day la For-tah-laythah) 79, 82-3
de la Paz (day lah Paath) 8, 51, 52
de la Ruleta (day lah Roo-lay-tah) 88, 90
de las Chamucadas (day lahs Sha-moo-kah-dahs) 27
de San Pedro (day Sahn Pay-droh) 30, 53, 54-5
El Asomadero (Ayl Ah-soh-mah-dayroh) 97, 98
El Bailadero (Ayl Bye-lah-day-roh) 25, 26-7, 27, 43, 149, 150, 159, TM
El Lance (Ayl Lahn-thay) 98, 104, 105
Fuente del Lomo 137, TM
Jardina (Har-dee-nah) 35
La Corona (lah Koh-roh-nah) 13, 97, 98, 99
La Crucita (Lah Kroo-thee-tah) 11, 12, 37, 58-8, 72-3
Las Escaleras (Lahs Ays-kah-lay-rahs) 16, TM
Minas de San José 22, 82-3
Montaña Grande 37
Ortuño (Or-toon-yoh) 37
Pico del Inglés (Pee-koh dayl Een-glays) 25, 34, 36, 143, 159, TM
Piedra La Rosa (Pee-ay-drah lah Roh-sah) 56-7, 57
Montaña (mountain) (Mohn-tahn-yah)
Baracán (Bah-rah-kahn) 116-7, 119
Blanca (Blahn-kah) 82-3, 84, 85, 86, 87, 159
de Atalaya (day Ah-tah-lye-ah) 157, TM
de Guajara (day Goo-ah-hah-rah) 81, 82-3, 91, 92-3, 93
de Guamaso (day Goo-ah-mah-soh) 76-7
de las Arenas (day lahs Ah-ray-nahs) 11, 72-3
de Limón (day Lee-mohn) 76-7
de Majuá (day Mah-hoo-ah) 79, 82-3
Jala (Hah-lah) 14, 115, 116-7, 118
Mostaza (Moz-tah-thah) 80, 82-3
Negra (Nay-grah) 107, 108-9, 110
Montañeta, La
(near Icod de los Vinos) (Lah Mohn-tahn-yay-tah) 13, 16, 107, 108-9, 159
(near El Palmar) 112, 114, 115, 117, 119, 122-3, 127, 159
Observatorio de Izaña (Ee-thaanyah) 38, 82-3
Orotava Valley 20, 45, 56-7, 58-9, 67, 71
Palo Blanco (Pah-loh Blahn-koh) 56, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99, 159
Pico (mountain, peak) (Pee-koh)
Verde 116-7, 118
Viejo 79, 82-3, 87
Piedras Amarillas (Pee-ay-drahs Ahmah-reel-yahs) 12, 79, 80, 81, 82-3, 91, 93
Pino Alto (Pee-noh Ahl-toh) 64, 65, 68
Pinolere (Pee-noh-lay-rees) 62, 63, 63, 64, 65
Playa (beach) (Ply-yah)
de Antequera (day Ahn-tay-kay-rah) 155,156, 157, TM
de Benijo (day Bay-nee-hoh) 17
de las Teresitas (day lahs Tay-ray-seetahs) 18, 28
de los Troches (day lohs Tro-shays) 16, 30-1, TM
de Tamadiste (day Tah-mah-dees-tay) 26, 139. 142, TM
del Bollullo (dayl Boh-you-yoh) 50-1, 52
de las Arenas 14-5, 122-3
Playa de las Américas (day lahs Ah-may-ree-kahs) 20, 23, 159
Playa de los Cristianos (day lohs Kreest-yahn-ohs) 20, 23
Playa de San Marcos (day Sahn Mahr-kohs) 30, 43
Puerto de Erjos (Poo-er-to day Airhohs) 14, 33, 115, 117
Puerto de la Cruz (Poo-er-to day lah Krooth) 6-7, 20, 25, 29, 34, 37, 42, 50, 51, 52, 54-5, 159
town plan 8-9
Puerto de Santiago (Poo-er-to day Sahn-tee-ah-goh) 23
Punta (point of land) (Poon-tah)
de Teno (day Tay-noh) 15, 29, 30, 122-3, 124
del Fraile (dayl Fry-lay) 15, 30, 122-3
Punta del Hidalgo (Poon-tah dayl Hee-dahl-goh) 34, 130-1, 132, 133, 159, TM
Rambla, La 13, 53, 54-5, 106
Rambla de Castro 54-5
Ramón Caminero 12
Restaurante Fleytas 14, 107, 108-9, 115, 116-7
Roque (rock) (Roh-kay)
Bermejo (Behr-may-hoh) 152, 153, 154, TM
Chiñaco 122-3, 125
Chinchado 88, 88-9, cover
de Anambra (day Ahn-am-brah) 151, TM
de Taborno (day Tah-bor-noh) 136, 138, 146, 147, TM
del Peral (dayl Pay-rahl) 76-7, 82-3, 94, 95
Roque de las Bodegas (day lahs Boh-day-gahs) 28, 149, 151, 152, 159, TM
Roque Negro 25, 26, 139, 142, 159, TM
San Andrés (Sahn Ahn-drays) 25, 28
San José de los Llanos 108-9
San Juan de la Rambla (San Hu-an day lah Rahm-blah) 29, 30, 53, 54-5, 54-5, 105, 106
Santa Cruz (Sahn-tah Crooth) 7, 43, 144, 159, TM
town plan 8-9
Santiago del Teide (Sahn-tee-ah-goh dayl Tay-ee-day) 29, 31
Taborno (Tah-bohr-noh) 16, 34, 36, 136, 137, 139, 145, 148, 159, TM
Tacoronte (Tah-koh-rohn-tay) 34
Tafada (Tah-fah-dah) 152, 154, TM
Taganana (Tah-gah-nah-nah) 25, 26-7, 28, 139, 145, 146, 159, TM
Talavera (Tah-lah-bay-rah) 126, 127
Tamaimo (Tah-my-moh) 23
Tegueste (Tay-gwest-tay) 34
Tejina (Tay-hee-hnah) 34
Teno Alto (Tay-noh Ahl-toh) 29, 31, 115, 117, 119, 122-3, 125
Teno Bajo (Tay-noh Bah-hoh) 122-3, 125
Vilaflor (Beel-yah-floor) 20, 24, 159
Tenerife, 10th Edition (2020); updated 14/12/2023
Updates for walks and car tours (drives) on Tenerife given below supplement those provided in the 8th edition of the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book you can “upgrade” to the latest edition at half price.)
Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably by e-mail, to info@sunflowerbooks.co.uk.
General
Gremlins at the printers have played havoc with the few waypoints that are identified by letters, not numbers — waypoints for short or alternative walks. If you see a red circle waypoint indication in the text with no number (the maps are correct), it is because a letter is missing. We think the instructions are clear enough without those waypoints, but if you find empty red dots too confusing, please email info@sunflowerbooks.co.uk and we will send you the offending page(s) as a pdf. Pages affected are: 56, 64, 72, 79, 85, 95, 108, 115-6, 122, 133-5, 139, 149, 152, 155. Sorry. (Sunflower)
IMPORTANT: In August 2023 Tenerife suffered the worst wildfires in 40 years. The fires started in the Arafo/Candelaria area but quickly gained the island’s spine and jumped to the north. At the very least, Car tour 5 and Walks 2-9 will be badly affected. (Sunflower, 9/23) • There’s also been a fire in October 2023. We could see that beyond Aguamansa it roughly follows both sides of the road up to El Portillo and even in patches across Las Canadas up to Montana Blanca (which we think was closed to walkers). La Caldera walks are badly affected, many tracks closed including to Pedro Gill, though it is obvious that some walkers and cyclists ignore the barriers and warning notices. (User, 12/23)
Buses: A user (3/22) has alerted us to a new bus line which runs between Puerto de la Cruz to Santa Cruz without stopping. Journey time is only 35 minutes (as opposed to 1 hour on line 102). The excellent Titsa website says: ‘On Monday, March 28, a new express line will start, Line 100, which will connect Puerto de La Cruz with Santa Cruz de Tenerife without stops. Buses leave from the station in Puerto at 09.15, 11.15 and 16.15 and from the Intercambiador in Santa Cruz at 07.15, 09.30, 10.15 and 15.15.’ Obviously the service is for working people (and it only runs on workdays), but it may well prove a boon for walkers and general tourists as well. (Sunflower 4/22)
Car tour 3: It’s not possible to drive to the lighthouse at Punta de Teno any day of the week now, but Titsa buses leave from the barrier 3km past Buenavista (as well as Buenavista bus station). They run every hour; price only 1 euro. (Sunflower, 6/23)
Walk 1a: This route is no longer passable beyond Punta del Fraile because of landslips; instead, follow Alternative Walk 1 via El Rincon. (User, 3/23)
Walk 1b: The coastal path around Playa de los Roques has been closed because of rockfalls. However, an alternative route through the housing estate to the south is clearly marked on the ground, and also shown on the maps displayed along the route. (User, 3/23)
Walks 3, 5-8: We have a report from a user that the bar/restaurant at La Caldera is no longer operating. Hard to believe; can anyone confirm this? [Sunflower, 2/20] • I told you this 2020. Now we will confirm that. We have talked with the former owner and it is finished. We meet them often when we hike in the area. There are several restaurants in Aguamansa and the one highest up the road is Restaurant Aguamansa. It is situated just before you arrive to the Trout farm, the bus stop is called Casa Forestal. There is a fire inside in the cold days and places to sit outside. The bus stop before is La Morra.
Walk 11: Spot on. (User, 1/23)
Walk 12: I did the walk in reverse to the guide – ascending from Canada del Capricho – good path & rock ledge path to Degollada de Ucanca where Walk 12 meets official waymarked route 31 – the ongoing climb is quite demanding but there is a clear route to the top. The return route – which I opted to walk via Degollada de Guajara is a gentle well marked descent back to the Parador. (User, 2/23)
Walks 19, 20: You can take bus 369 when you come down to the road. It takes 20 minutes from Buenavista to Punta de Teno. It also stops at Camino de Risco. The bus calls at Buenavista (Estación) – San Sebastián – Cruz de Toledo – Barranco Itobal – Punta de Teno
| LABORABLES // WORKING DAYS | |
| SALIDAS DEPARTURES |
SALIDAS DEPARTURES |
| ESTACIÓN DE BUENAVISTA |
PUNTA DE TENO |
| ⇨ | ⇦ |
| 10:10 | 10:35 |
| 11:05 | 11:25 |
| 12:00 | 12:25 |
| 13:10 | 13:35 |
| 14:05 | 14:25 |
| 15:00 | 15:25 |
| 16:10 | 16:35 |
| 17:05 | 17:25 |
| 18:05 | 18:25 |
| SÁBADOS, DOMINGOS Y FESTIVOS SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS |
|
| SALIDAS DEPARTURES |
SALIDAS DEPARTURES |
| ESTACIÓN DE BUENAVISTA |
PUNTA DE TENO |
| ⇨ | ⇦ |
| 10:10 | 10:35 |
| 11:05 | 11:25 |
| 12:00 | 12:25 |
| 13:00 | 13:25 |
| 14:00 | 14:25 |
| 15:00 | 15:25 |
| 16:10 | 16:35 |
| 17:05 | 17:25 |
| 18:05 | 18:25 |
| NOTES: |
| When conditions are too poor to got to Punta de Teno, the service will be suspended. |
BELOW ARE SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE WALKS, NOT CORRECTIONS TO THE TEXT
In winter the Orotava walks are at their best very early, between 08.00-11.00. After that clouds and mist hide all the views. It is often chilly and rainy, even when sunny at Puerto. In winter head for the Cañadas and coastal areas of the Anaga. Even if you stay in Puerto, pack a copy of Landscapes of Southern Tenerife and La Gomera: If the weather is bad in the north, Walks 1 and 2 in the latter book are within easy reach of Puerto and most enjoyable. (User)
Walk 6: One can continue the walk PAST Portillo del Topo mentioned on page 55. The path is similar to the rest of Los Organos in that it is on the edge of the rock face. At the beginning the path (GR131) climbs slowly; in 30min it turns inland and zig zags up steeply to go round the base of a rocky spur. It then descends and reascends past a second rocky spur. At 45 min you are on a path with trees on both sides. In 50 min you cross some stones at the top of a barranco. In 1 hour you reach a bulldozed forestry track: turn left and follow it downhill. Five minutes later you reach a junction; ignore the tracks to right and left and continue straight ahead; this track curves around and descends and you should ignore all tracks going off it and continue descending. In 1h45min you arrive, after a steep descent, at Choza Almadi. The path back to Choza El Topo and La Caldera is the one on your immediate left. (several users, 2006, who say the whole walk takes about 5h). This route is shown on our map, but not highlighted in colour. (Sunflower)
Walk 8: Another way to start is to cross the road from the Information Centre and follow Walk 9, but fork left after 5 min onto National Park Path No 2 and follow this path as it winds uphill. After about 1h the path swings north across a wide desolate plain (at this point Path No 2 goes right to join up with the Las Cañadas track). Towards the end of the plain the path gets fainter, but if you veer to the right, towards some bushes, the path becomes clear again and within 1min you reach a bulldozed track. Turn left (north) and follow this to the road. Turn right and within 15 mins you are at Corral del Nino. This adds 2mi/3km; 1h to the route in the book, but cuts out the boring walk up the road. (User) [Note: not all of this route is shown on our maps.]
Walk 13, new alternative: Here is a suggestion for second Alternative walk 13 (duration about 4-4.5hrs). Follow Alternative walk 13 to viewpoint at the end of the Canada, then almost immeadiately on turning and retracing your steps turn right onto Sendero 33. Initially this is a little tricky as it crosses and rounds blocky lava flows, but after about 15 mins becomes easy underfoot. There are a couple of short sharp ascents as the path meanders through scrub and accross small canadas. After a little over an hour the path terminates where it meets sendero 22. Turn left here. This path is a delightful easy gentle downhill stroll, initially heading towards Degollada del Cedro before veering right towards El Cabezon. As it veers there is a short sharp ascent over a lava flow, then a few minutes later it rejoins the outbound path where you turn right to return to El Portillo. (User, 11/11)
Walk 15b: The path down into and across the Barranco de Ruiz is still closed. I get the impression, speaking to some locals, that it will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to likelihood of rock falls of very large rocks. The path beyond la Vera into the barranco down to the main road ( which is the end of the 15b walk) is open and good underfoot. (User, 1/22)
Walk 16, new alternative: San José de los Llanos – El Volcán Negro – San Juan de la Reparo – (Garacico).
3 Hours (4 hours to GARACHICO)
This is a similar grade walk to Walk 16 covering the same diversity of landscape.
Instead of getting off the 360 bus at La Montañeta go to the next village higher up at San Jose De Los Llanos. The bus drops you off in front of the church. At the front of the church is a big trail map covering the area featuring the TF43 which covers most of this region. Directly opposite the church is a lane with a yellow and white TF43.1 sign to Chinyero which we follow for the first 45 minutes. The lane makes a very short climb before subsequent signs guide you right, then left at junctions. On the edge of the village 50 yards down from the final T junction the path heads off into the pine forest. It’s a steady gradual climb through the forest of about 40 minutes on a path lined both sides with stones, pine needles cover the path. You cross a couple of minor tracks and pass a shrine. Near the top the stones lining the path become more sparse but the path is well used and easy to follow. The crunch of feet on volcanic ash rather than pine needles signals you are near the top at El Volcan Negro on the main walk where the tree line disappeared. At Volcan Negro the path needlessly zig zags the last couple of minutes up to the track following the canal used by Walk 16. It’s clear that most people ignore the zig zags and just head stright up to the TF43 sign on the track suggesting you have come 2.9 Kms from the start, a climb of about 100m. At the track turn left and follow it parallel to the canal in the opposite direction to Walk 16. You leave the TF43 behind for the time being. At about 10/15 minutes along the track you come to the barrier. A few yards past and the TF43 crosses the track. Turn left here and follow the TF 43 down for about 10 minutes to Las Arenas Negras. Towards the end of this section the Pista de Canal track used to ascend by Walk 16 parallels the path to the right. The path joins the Pista Canal but just a few yards before this junction rather than ascend the last few steps up to the track continue down the natural gulley with the track up on your right. Almost immediately you are in Las Arenas Negras picnic site with a very well maintained toilet block on your left. Continue down through the picnic site to the large trail map identical to the one at the start. You now go down the track in the reverse direction of the start of Walk 16. We took about 35 minutes for this section. Almost immediately after the picnic site a 4 wheel drive circuit joins the track from the right. At the first major T junction the main track we are on bends left and a fainter track comes in from the right. Go down neither but go straight ahead down a trail opposite. The trail recrosses the track and eventually comes to the main road, just go down, ignoring all minor turnoffs. Across the road the path becomes a track for about 150 yards where you turn right. A prominent white stone marker by the path about 50 yards down reassures. It is labelled MP17 and you will come across several similar stones later. You come to the Ermita San Francesco about 1 hour 45 mins into the walk, this is the start of Walk 16. The TF43 has reappeared and the path down to the coast is signed San Juan de la Reparo 3.4 Kms, Garachio 6.2 Kms. The path is very well engineered, a gradual continuous descent. The path has been cleared through an otherwise impenetrable volcanic rock field with pine forest your path is either a layer of pine needles oe the crunch of volcanic stones. Apart from the very beginning and end at San Juan de la Reparo there is no sign of civilisation except for a brief stretch of track and a couple of canals. Going through a tunnel underneath a new road signal San Juan de la Reparo after about 75 minutes from La Montenata. Although there are 3 bus routes 325, 392 and 460 down to Icod and in the case of the 325 to Puerto you may have quite a wait. You can continue following the TF43 down to the coast at Garachio down a very steep descent compared to the rest of the walk of tabout an hour. Garachio is a very nice place and it’s almost a pleasure to just miss your bus to Puerto. (User, 9/12)
Walk 18, an alternative walk to Masca: Follow the directions for the Alternative Walk to Buenavista, BUT at the only junction turn LEFT (NOTE the path straight ahead is marked Teno Alto and there is also a stone column with a plate “La Cancela” at this junction). The path goes downhill and joins the Masca road at a mirador, which has a bar underneath it. Take the old road on the left of the mirador and in a short distance along it turn RIGHT onto a path going downhill, there is a waymark on a rock about 10 yds along it. Follow the path downhill; it is waymarked at all junctions and rejoin the Masca road. Turn LEFT and follow this for about 1/2 mile to the Bus Stop. The bus to Santiago de Teide leaves at 16.15 and links up with the 460 Bus to both Playa de las Americas and Icod de los Vinos from where you can catch the 363 back to Puerto. The walk is about 7 miles long. (User, 1/08) + The suggested walk to Masca is good and after joining the road at the Mirador above Masca when you go along the old road on the left the path down is now marked with a Finger post. (User, 6/08)
Walk 22: Brilliant walk. At waypoint 2, the ‘waterhouse’ is now almost invisible from the barranco until you’ve risen above it, and the cairn at the nose of the rocky ridge described in the book is no longer there. We met an elderly local gentleman who told us the waterhouse building was in fact a place used for wine making from the vinyards which covered the upper valley, dating back to about 1738. Next to the building is a large rock with stone wall attached and it was there that the grapes were mashed by foot to extract the juice. The alpine path was cut by the wine merchants to take the wine by foot up to Batan de Abajo for distribution, in heavy packs on their backs. He pointed out the start of the alpine path which takes a bit of finding on the first rocky nose on the right after the dam. At waypoint 4 there are new yellow/white waymarkers on the right before descending the road, which take you down a narrow path through Bejia, avoiding walking on the road, bringing you back to the road before the waymarked route on the left after a blue house with dogs. (User, 1/22)
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