Walking in Tenerife may be like a Sunday stroll but, can end up down a ravine.Walking in Tenerife may sound like venturing through paradise. There are many such spots but, we also know getting there may not be that easy. Walking in Tenerife in and near built up areas:It's a pleasure to walk on some Tenerife beaches, in towns like Santa Cruz with night life , in Puerto Cruz, as well as in its Taoro Park. Strolling in the south of the island by Las Americas La Arona can fill up almost a day. Walking in villages or small towns like San Juan de la Rambla is interesting. Combining Tenerife walking with special shopping in Garachico is utterly charming. Leisure walks in big parks like Park Garcia Sanabria is for many a way of life in the capital. Mountain slopes such as you find in Los Realejos Alto (Upper Los Realejos) are manageable and are not only trot by oxen during its Romerias and other fiestas. All this is quite easy walking while taxis and buses are no problem to find on normal days. There, unexpected surprises like sudden weather changes are problems which can be easily solved by turning into a cheap inn or on working days into a shop.
Use Titsa public Transport to get to starting points for Tenerife walking...Public buses by Titsa transport bring you to relative safe areas provided you don't venture out far from them. Bus stops and times are marked as far as Roques Garcia which are those bizarre lava contortions in Cañadas del Teide.. The pointy 'God's Finger' rock is just one of them where you, indeed see people walking on special path ways in the photo beside. Public bus times mostly apply to departure and pick up spots which please, mind when you enter the well marked walkways below Mount Teide. Besides, using Titsa bus for the goal of walking in Tenerife is very cheap from 85 Cents to about EU 8.50 (subject to change) one way depending on where it takes you when not joining a walking/hiking club. Clubs for walking in Tenerife charge anything around EU 15 - EU 25 depending on individual private guides or group walking ventures. Ask for discounts when joining on a regular basis.
Planning your own bus/walking excursions to mount Teide and other island locations are an exciting proposition for those with a holiday home in Tenerife who usually have at least 5 months of vacation to their disposal. Doing walking trips where it's easy to keep control where you are going is OK. Don't do walks which take you into the unknown on your own. People are not aware how easy it is to go around in circles and totally loose orientation around Spain's highest peak which is a huge area some of which is off the beaten track. A compass is a must but, notes also need taking or bread crumbs need leaving behind but not edible ones like used by Haensel and Gretel. Best maps help but nothing is as good a precaution like having an experienced human guide who knows all terrains he takes you to, well. What you need for walking in Teneife:Tenerife terrains don't just mean walking but, proper hiking in many places which you were not expecting as part of walking in Tenerife. Walking shoes are not good enough. Shoes for regions outside human settlements on the biggest of all Canary Islands must have a good grip profile underneath like soccer shoes have, almost. Shoe ankle support is a must because Tenerife surfaces out of towns are often very uneven and cumbersome because of their volcanic nature. A walking stick is not only something for the elderly. It will help you keep balance on rabbit paths where you might have a steep cliff on one side while wishing you could grip something for support. A cane also prevents sliding on sandy or moist soil. Grabbing hold onto a bush while walking in Tenerife in wild regions is not a good idea. A friend tried it once and found himself with half a shrub in in hand which broke off. A strong walking cane is good to have, always, on Tenerife walks out of towns. Take one you can adjust to your hight, preferably. Put all provisions for walking in Tenerife onto your back into a rucksack or backpack. Bring weatherproof and warm clothes in case of temperature change, although sun which usually always shines in Cañadas is generally warm. Sometimes rather strong Cañadas winds may make you shiver, though. Water is the most important when walking in Tenerife as the island has no rivers or natural lakes in its forests, bushland and highlands. All it has are Barrancos which fill up with water after rare torrential rains. Farm reservoirs are awkward to get to while their guard dogs could mistake you for an intruder. Bring some survival food like sunflower seeds, nuts and dried fruit or any none perishable high natural sugar content products. If you can stomach Tenerife Gofio which helped the islands first inhabitants to survive bring that along. It takes up little space and gives much energy. Despite its acquired taste you may find it quite edible when mixed with almonds and honey. Termites as last protein option are not available on Tenerife. All you can get when desperate are maggots and crickets, by the utmost. Shooting rabbits is off limits without a license to hunt. Here I should warn you to mind such hunters while walking in Tenerife during huntings season. Their barking should reveal where hunting parties are. Bring a hat, heat and sun may be relentless which also means protecting your skin against ultra violet lights... You will find products for it in the tiniest village shops, too, in case you forgot. Always bring a proper super light water proof rain coat for walking in Tenerife when venturing out into the unknown. Such coats should be long enough to cover your legs. Best would be water proof pull over pants, of course.You may use the same which are used for motor cycles provided the weight of them is no burden during your walks. Bring a minimum first aid kit or make sure somebody in your group has one in case you join others for off the beaten track walks on the island... Interesting regions for walking in Tenerife:
You can turn walking in Tenerife into a hike to the Teno mountain range where you have a choice of its slopes by the coast, of the fertile valley of Valle de Arriba or, even take on hiking Tenerife by the steep, rocky grounds of Masca. See some interesting pictures of Masca at Tenerife details... You may also choose the Anaga high up in the north of the island for walking in Tenerife. There even is a Anaga route map for walking using Titsa bus to get there.
Never overestimate your fitness for Tenerife walks or hikes...Walking in Tenerife on your own into the unknown is not advisable. Besides, there is always the problem that you will underestimate your own strength where steep hills in the forests below Mount Teide even at a height of 1500 meters are not to be taken lightly. Walking along the Cordilera which is the road leading up to Teide would be easy but this is not practical because of road traffic. Alternative means to reach your walking in Tenerife by mount Teide:An old TV commercial for renting a car I remember wasn't exaggerating the most rewarding leisure drive right up to Teide. Picture yourself in a cabriolet cruising a new surprising world you've never seen before. Walking in Tenerife may then be reserved for a small area near Spain's highest peak Teide. Tourist tours for a little walking in Tenerife by Teide:Some tours to Spain's highest peak don't only drop you off at a little inn or 2 on the way but, also allow for time to do some walking around Teide.Dangers of walking in Tenerife in its forests:My friend Guenther who is very keen to lose the size of his belly was invited to join his frequent hiker pal Simon to come along for a day walking trip by Agua Mansa above La Orotava. They took the Titsa bus to get there. From Agua Mansa they walked for about an hour up into the forests past La Caldera. Canary pines with all their birds were a peaceful delight. Interesting indigenous plants were by the way side providing change in the landscape. After about 2 hours they started the descent. Suddenly, my friend's legs didn't want to carry him any longer. Leg cramps followed. Road markers were nowhere when they needed them most. How tell a taxi where to fetch them?. After a short break Guenther pulled himself together and went on bravely. The direction was the coast with Puerto de la Cruz.After an agonizing 16 km walk including the previous climb from Agua Mansa my friend collapsed. Not that he needed an ambulance but, this could happen to folks walking in Tenerife in little known terrain. After a long rest, they continued the downhill walk. Suddenly, they met some local people. After a deliberation it was decided to ask them for help to get a cab. The slightly strange looking Tinerfeños seemed to know the area well. They called a taxi on Guenther's cellular telephone and explained to the driver how to get there. When the locals heard from where my friends had descended they told them they were locos. (crazy people) I was invited to this outing. Guess, how glad I was not to have come. Marita, one of my friends went along, too. She, also, had problems with this descent and felt it in her knees, although, she is a very fit 45 year old who often joined Simon on walks. She was only too relieved when the taxi finally arrived. This group of friends of mine stubbornly tried the same journey again at the end of October 2008. They left early in the morning with the sun standing nice and high promising a good, clean walk.This time they took a taxi uphill to Agua Mansa and started walking in Tenerife pine forests, again. So far so good... When they were in about the middle of their forest descent big fogs suddenly engulfed them. It didn't take long until they were soaking whet. Guenther's rain jacked wasn't good enough for so much moisture. He was soaked right down to his underwear in the end he told me. They managed to get back to La Orotava from where they took a taxi back home. This easily happens with foreigners. Not to know the island's forests, especially in the north, also means bad estimates of their weather conditions for walking in Tenerife. Tenerife mists are treacherous and very thick. All were lucky to not have caught a cold from this journey thanks to the otherwise good Climate in Tenerife.
Walking routes are seldom marked. Maps are also often not adequate. Are you after walking in Tenerife adventure and a challenge, anyway? It can be done at your own risk when taking precautions. Please, mind that no food and drink are around the island's mountains. Only, guides and some locals know where to find rare mountain fountains such as the one at La Caldera by Agua Mansa near La Orotava.(Bus Stop Line 345 from La Orotava) The only Parador (country inn/hotel) is near mount Teide. Information on a backpacker inn is to be found underTeide excursions.
Terrain during walking in Tenerife can be tricky. Lunar landscape (Paisaje Lunar) which is a specific area by mount Teide is for real hikers, only.
About 6 years ago, Tenerife media reported on walkers who curiously ventured into an unknown Tenerife mountain cave where they inhaled lethal fumes nobody knows where they came from or what caused them. A few slipped down ravines when walking in Tenerife. Accidents like that, always, made the news in radio, TV as well as in other Tenerife media during the years since 2001. Again, I must stress: Better join a group or, engage a good, well known guide! One of the best is an elderly German whom I believe to be retired now, though. Maps are available in most stationary shops called Librarias but, can sometimes, only, be deciphered by skilled hikers. Snakes and scorpions are not living in Tenerife and are, very rarely only, encountered on neighboring Gran Canaria Island. Bees or hornets can be dangerous in Tenerife Highlands if you unexpectedly stumble upon a hive. In very rare cases you may encounter Tenerife wild or run away dogs which may suffer from rabies.
On many stretches one can see the ocean when descending from Tenerife heights downhill which is at least one natural orientation point. I experienced this for the first time when walking down from an Agua Mansa pick-nick to our car. You would have to walk for miles to penetrate this thick surrealistic looking mist. You would feel like an actor during a spooky movie, almost.
Insider tip for walking: You could also do something useful There was this elderly legendary figure in Los Realejos who stalked the island's slopes. He crawled them and climbed them to get to the litter left behind by a parasite on the This particular bug is producing a substance which delivers a beautiful purple die. Collecting, bottling and selling this die was a Tenerife bread winner for many for a long time.
Try walking in Tenerife from Monasterio Montañeta to Puerto Cruz which means mostly descending and isn't too hard to do...
Do a coastal hiking trip on Los Realejos Rambla de Castro a coastal stretch mentioned and shown in Tenerife history a history which is rather a legend. Walking in Tenerife by Rambla de Castro can be dangerous, though. Slippery stretches and potential landslides may occur after heavy rains. The worst which repeats itself comes before the Barranco Romantica I and is exactly below Hotel Panoramica Gardens a hotel with one of best panoramic views in Tenerife North.How get to Rambla del Castro? Take the bus #354, #353 or, during week days #381. Get off the bus after the curb by the trash bins at the big pine in the corner of la Longuera. Continue on the main road La Longuera on your right, turn left and left again where you read Rambla de Castro. This is a gentle hiking path until you arrive by a bridge over the Romantica I gorge. If you don't see people in front of you which is seldom in winter wait there until you see new foreign walkers. Have a break there until your see any of them crossing the bridge. They are always heading towards San Pedro nature reserve beyond. Why should you wait? It's safer to do so because, you might miss a turn off on your right once beyond the bridge. The turn off looks much like a private farm entrance and gives no indication to the hiking path. This is a beautiful walk. Once you see a yellow large building on a hill know that this is Finca (farmstead)del Castro. Have a refreshment at Restaurant San Pedro which serves also rather good food. Views from here over banana plantations are fantastic. There is also a stone plaque opposite the restaurant especially made for walkers which shows you several more walking options under glass. A way cross country joining Rambla de Castro from Maritím Hotel is rather complicated to explain. One day I will go there and will take a photo to show you how to reach this spot within Hotel Maritím estate. Rambla de Castra, actually, continues very close to the coast right up to Socorro beach which I will tell you some other time. You reach this Rambla from the modern villa and farm village Rambla del Mar on your right. Another access has been cordoned off. You see Rambla del Mar villas in the valley below Restaurant San Pedro. Happy walking and, hiking... Please, hear how impressed I was about You may also telephone us at: + 34 922 363685 to find out which organized walking tours are departing on which day from Puerto de la Cruz to different regions of Tenerife. Kindly understand that routes are subject to change. Another Tenerife walking club to join is Cyberhiker. Costs with cyberhiker are besides bus transport between GBP 10 -25 / EU. Please, check as this is not quite clear. Botanic walking excursions (also for diving) by biologist Cristobal Coviella Ulrich Tel: + 34 607 677 252 (cell phone) Tel: + 34 922 371 731 or Tel: + 34 654 153 410 Trips in German language: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10.30 a.m. Meeting point always entrance of El Botanico. Theme tours with the Ulrichs for walking in Tenerife called 'What's in flower where' to Tenerife Forests and Canadas on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays.The price of EU 45 is not including lunch.
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