DAY 1:
Arrive Tenerife / La Orotava
Tenerife has excellent flight links to UK and European destinations.
Collect your rental car on arrival and enjoy the 1.5 hour drive to La Orotava.
Your first night is a small welcoming hotel in La Orotava with its lovely historical quarter and lively Plaza de la Constitución.
If you get to Orotava early in the day, you’ll have time take a stroll along the steep and narrow lanes to get better acquainted with your surroundings.
Walk: Optional walk around town
Overnight: La Orotava Small Hotel. Built in the 18th Century as a gentleman’s residence and transformed 100 years ago into an oasis of Arabic flavour this five bedroom hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of La Orotava and offers outstanding views of El Teide.
DAY 2:
Walking in the Orotava Valley
A magical introduction to walking on Tenerife. Your route takes you on a circular walk through the lush vegetation of the Valle de Orotava. You will ascend to Los Órganos, a dramatic series of rock formations whose shapes resemble, as their name suggests, organ pipes. In clear weather you will be rewarded with sumptuous views of the valley and El Teide.
Walk: 13km, 5.5 hrs, 550m ascent/descent
Overnight: La Orotava Small Hotel
DAY 3:
Wild West of Tenerife
After you leave your hotel you drive to Garachico, where you have a choice of several lovely walks. The walk from El Palmar to Teno Alto crosses deep ravines, wends through lush vegetation and offers spectacular views.
Alternatively you can enjoy a shaded walk in the Teno National Park which has impressive views of the El Teide, the Masca Gorge and La Gomera.
Walk: 19km, 6.5 hrs, 300m ascent, 1200 descent
Overnight: Garachico Hotel. Hiding behind a historic baroque facade in the centre of town is a stylish and modern hotel. No two rooms are alike and they all open off a tranquil courtyard. Excellent food and great service are a hallmark of this fabulous little hotel.
DAY 4:
Walk from El Palmar to Buenavista
A cracking walk from El Palmar, on the western part of the island, you walk through open woodlands, across farmland and along spectacular ravines to reach the small village of Teno Alto. You then cross a high plateau, wandering through bizarre surroundings and dwarfed by giant euphorbia plants. Chances are that you will enjoy splendid views of La Gomera.
Walk: 13km, 6.5 hrs, 500m ascent, 900 descent
Overnight: Garachico Hotel
DAY 5:
Circular walks from Las Cañadas del Teide
Start your day with a one and a half hour drive from Garachico to your next accommodation: El Parador de las Cañadas, situated at the base of El Teide volcano, the highest peak in Spain.
On arrival you can choose from two walks through thoroughly impressive surroundings. Choose from either a circular walk around the Roques de Garcia (3 hours), or a more demanding yet rewarding ascent to Guajara, the second highest peak on Tenerife (5 hours).
Walk 1: 6km, 3 hrs, 250m ascent/descent
Walk 2: 10km, 5 hrs, 600m ascent/descent
Overnight: Parador Cañadas del Teide. Located at almost 2000m in the heart of the El Teide National Park this imposing hotel offers a unique atmosphere and breathtaking views on all sides.
DAY 6:
Walks in El Teide Park or La Laguna
After breakfast at the Parador, you have a choice of activities for the day. You may wish to spend your time walking in the National Park (4.5 hours) or choose to go straight on to your next hotel in La Laguna. Here you can enjoy an interesting stroll round the historical town centre (2 hours).
Walk: 16km, 5 hrs, 70m ascent, 180 descent
Walk 2: 2 Hour stroll in La Laguna
Overnight: La Laguna Hotel.
Located in the heart of the World Heritage Site of San Cristobal de La Laguna your hotel was built in the sixteenth century and offers real old world charm and a warm welcome.
DAY 7:
Walking in Northern Tenerife
Start your day off with a beautiful drive to the northernmost part of the island. Here you have a choice of routes to explore arguably the prettiest part of Tenerife - with its coastal footpaths, deep ravines and picturesque white farming villages.
Walk (Max): 16km, 6.5 hrs, 1040m ascent, 600 descent
Overnight: La Laguna Hotel
DAY 8:
Departure Tenerife or Onward Travel
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Return your rental car at the airport before the flight home. Alternatively why not extend your stay in the Canaries with our walking tour of La Gomera, the botanical paradise of the Canaries, to make a two week holiday.
Additional Nights and Extensions
You can add additional nights at any point during the trip or before or after the holiday. This trip combines particularly well with our Walking in La Gomera Holiday.
Tailor Made Holidays
We are always more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries to suit your holiday plans. Just let us know what you would like and we will be happy to arrange tailor made walking holiday.
Grade & Fitness
This walking tour is graded Moderate to Strenuous. Walks of 4 to 7 hrs a day, some long ascents and descents (max of 1000m in ascent, 1200m in descent). There are some options for easier alternate routes.
The walks follow rural tracks, both surfaced and un-surfaced, footpaths and animal trails. You may encounter some loose rock, or muddy / slippery sections in wet weather. Ascents and descents can be steep and footpaths rough.
The higher areas may be covered with snow during early spring and weather conditions up high may be totally different from those experienced in the valleys, so always take extra warm clothing with you. From June till September you should protect yourself against sun and heat.
You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday.
Navigation
The routes on this trip are generally way marked but you will need to follow the route notes and maps supplied.
Accommodation
We specifically select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in Tenerife. During this trip your stay in Tenerife you will stay at three charming village hotels and one very comfortable Parador Nacional. Each has its own character and history.
Alternate Accommodation
During high season, you might be booked into a different accommodation which is not listed in the description, and the start or end of some of your walking routes may be slightly altered. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
Solo Walkers
This holiday is available for solo walkers but we would recommend that you are experienced in walking and navigating alone.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included. Most hotels are happy to provide a packed lunch, this should be requested on arrival, or you can pick up lunch from a local deli or along the trail. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby bars, cafes and restaurants.
Getting Around
You will need a rental car for the duration of this trip which is included in the price.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Weather
Tenerife has the perfect climate for all year walking. Average maximums range from mid teens in the winter to mid twenties in the summer. For more details view climate guide.
We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.
How fit do I need to be?
The walking is graded moderate to strenuous so you should enjoy a good level of walking fitness. The paths are rough and exposed in places so a head for height is an advantage.
Which is the best airport to fly to?
Tenerife South, which is served by low cost, charter and scheduled airlines.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this holiday is extremely popular especially in the Winter months. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
What personal equipment do I need?
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, warm clothing in the early/late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
When is the best time of year?
The best months for walking are October to April as the summer can be very hot.
