Seven loop trails to discover Tenerife in one week

Do you want to hike Tenerife’s most beautiful and representative loop trails?

At TenerifeON we propose 7 main routes that take you through some of the most beautiful protected natural areas of the island, plus 15 alternatives of varying levels of difficulty to suit your preferences.

Let’s get started!

1. Hiking in Las Lagunetas: the “Guardianes Centenarios”

The leisurely Lomo de la Jara loop trail takes you into the beautiful Agua García forest where you will encounter the mighty “GuardianesCentenarios” (Ancient Guardians): a group of enormous viñatigo (Persea indica) trees that have stood for more than 800 years.

The route also gives you the opportunity to visit the fascinating Agua García Heritage Information Centre and to stop off at the Lomo de Jara Recreational Area, an ideal spot for a meal in the midst of nature. 

Trail details

• Distance: 2.57 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 1 h 00 m
• Elevation gain: 168.75 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative trails in Las Lagunetas

If you are looking for an even easier option in this area of Tenerife, you can always just take the “Viñátigos Centenarios” Interpreted Trail and the Agua García Accessible Trail, both of which are less than 500 metres long.

Looking for a challenge in Las Lagunetas?

Rather than just one, we propose two: combine the two circular trails that start at Los Nateros and head towards La Vica and Morra del Pino to turn them into an even bigger loop trail. Are you up to the challenge?

 

2. Hiking in the valleys of the north: in search of water

The beautiful circular trail that leads to Mamio from the La Caldera Recreational Area allows you to lose yourself in a lush monteverde forest with beautiful views of Mt Teide and the Orotava Valley.

Before reaching the end of the route you will pass by the Casa del Agua, an old stone building that used to supply water to the nearby villages.

The final part of the route (from Mamio to the La Caldera Recreational Area) can be done by bus, to avoid the last – rather steep – uphill section of the route.

Trail details

• Distance: 5.57 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 1 h 50 m
• Elevation gain: 368.87 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative trails in the north of Tenerife

If you want to go on a longer hike, you can extend the route to include Ruta del Agua or even Camino de Aguamansa.

Do you prefer a simpler route in the area? Then just take the second route, also known as the Camino de la Orilla del Monte, which is less steep and shorter but also immerses you in the monteverde forest.

 

3. Hiking in Teno: the green heart of the massif

The Teno Alto Self-Guided Trail  takes you on a pleasant walk through an area of the Teno Massif that seems frozen in time.

With very little elevation change and with its cultural and natural heritage largely intact, this route will delight young and old alike.

Trail details

• Distance: 2.77 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 1 h 20 m
• Elevation gain: 90.76 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative trails in the Teno Massif

If you are looking for a shorter and easier circular walk in this area of Teno, check out the Finca los Pedregales Self-Guided Trail.

Would you prefer to venture deeper into the massif on more demanding trails?

In Teno there is a wide network of interconnecting trails, so this is an ideal area of Tenerife to create your own personalised loop trail using our planner.

 

4. Hiking in the south-east of Tenerife: the Lunar Landscape

This popular trail starts in the village of Vilaflor and takes you to the Escurriales viewpoint, where you can view Tenerife’s famous Lunar Landscape and its fairy chimneys.

The path climbs steeply, so is not suitable for all families. However, the otherworldly beauty of the landscape is well worth the effort if you are in good enough physical shape.

Trail details

• Distance: 13.09 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 4 h 30 m
• Elevation gain: 852.51 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative routes to the Lunar Landscape

All the other trails that lead to this magical spot in the south of Tenerife are out-and-back only and are even more demanding than the loop trail mentioned above.

If you are fit enough, you can try the route that connects Granadilla de Abona with the Escurriales viewpoint or you could tackle the long-distance trail that runs diagonally across the island, from Anaga to Chasna.

 

5. Hiking in Anaga: the Forest of Enigmas

This simple trail immerses you in the cool, damp laurel forest (laurisilva) that characterises the Anaga Rural Park, located at the north-eastern end of Tenerife.

The name of the route, the Forest of Enigmas, is just a foretaste of what you will find along the way: a magical world of moss-covered rock faces, twisted trunks and overhanging canopies where every sound comes to life. 

This circular route is relatively flat and less than 5 kilometres long, making it ideal for the whole family.

Trail details

• Distance: 4.78 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 1 h 40 m
• Elevation gain: 232.86 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative trails in Anaga

If you are looking for an even easier hiking route to explore this part of Tenerife, take a look at the 3 options available for the Trail of the Senses.

Fancy a more challenging hike through the Anaga Rural Park?

Then this circular trail through Afur valley and Taganana is just what you’re looking for.

 

6. Hiking at the foot of Mount Teide: Roques de García

The Roques de García trail is easily walkable and boasts stunning scenery, making it one of the most popular hiking trails in the Teide National Park.

You may have already seen its most beautiful landscapes captured in many photographs and postcards. But no picture can truly match the experience of walking through this volcanic terrain for yourself.

Trail details

• Distance: 3.47 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 1 h 55 m
• Elevation gain: 202.19 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative trails in the Teide Natural Park

If you are looking for an even easier circular route with views of Mt Teide, Alto de la Fortaleza is your perfect sunset trail.

Looking for a more demanding loop trail? Here are 3 options.

 

7. Hiking in the Teide National Park: in search of volcanoes

In this final section, instead of one, we suggest three circular trails – Sámara, Arenas Negras and Volcán de Fasnia – which in addition to being less crowded than the first, are mesmerisingly beautiful and somewhat more challenging.

We know it will be hard to choose just one of these routes to complete your week of hiking in Tenerife.

But we are sure that, whichever one you choose, your breath will be taken away by the black volcanoes and lava flows. 

Trail details

PNT 13 Sámara

• Distance: 4.59 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 2 h 30 m
• Elevation gain: 256.68 m
• Full description and route files

PNT 02 Arenas Negras

• Distance: 8.05 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 3 h 0 m
• Elevation gain: 328.65 m
• Full description and route files

PNT 20 Volcán de Fasnia

• Distance: 8.23 km (loop trail)
• Duration: 2 h 50 m
• Elevation gain: 223.93 m
• Full description and route files

Alternative trails in this area of Tenerife

If you want an even more intense experience, you can always extend these three routes and even combine them using the Tenerife On planner.

What are you waiting for? Grab your hiking boots and discover the wonders of Tenerife!

A natural treasure awaits you at every turn of the trail.