Walking in Tenerife & El Teide

With expanses of black sand, green pine forests, red rock formations, crimson lava fields and white clouds which can billow like a skirt around the waist of El Teide, Spain’s highest peak, Tenerife is an island of many different colours. It is also an island of stark contrasts, its topography as striking as the volcanic activity that shaped it so many millennia ago, and walking here is incredibly rewarding. To explore Tenerife’s little-known north-west corner on foot is to discover a side to the island that few visitors experience.

Here, breathtaking views stretch in clear weather far across the sea and up to El Teide, whose towering peak surveys the varied landscapes. Our holiday reveals the fertile coastal plain (dotted with banana plantations) and the alternating expanses of pine forest and black volcanic sand that lie behind it, while our exhilarating – and highly recommended – extension takes you into the desert-like lava fields of the Teide National Park above the cloud line. We provide a hire car so that you can access the best walking – or combine walking with sightseeing and scenic drives.

Accommodation:

Hotel Rural Victoria, La Orotava This 300-year-old nobleman's house built in traditional Canarian style has been stylishly converted and is a friendly and comfortable hotel in the heart of elegant La Orotava's old quarter. Relax in an interior courtyard and on the rooftop sun terrace offering views over the town, sea and mountains. We provide dinner on your first night at the hotel's own restaurant, which has a growing reputation for serving delicious Canarian cuisine since the appointment of a locally-renowned chef. On other nights, take a short walk down into the town to dine out.

La Quinta Roja , Garachico This stylish, high-quality hotel is set on the main square of Garachico, a pretty coastal village. It has been lovingly converted from a 16th-century former nobleman’s house and is an elegant blend of old and new, with a small sauna and jacuzzi as well as a rooftop terrace, interior courtyard, reading room and small wine bar. As breakfast only is included, you are free to take your pick of Garachico’s restaurants for dinner each night. We include the light and airy superior rooms, but you can choose to upgrade to a junior suite.

Choose to add extra nights at The Parador, El Teide The great highlight of the Parador is its terrific location in the cauldron-shaped crater beneath El Teide, with uninterrupted vistas of the peak. The facilities include an indoor pool, gymnasium, a good restaurant, and even an observatory for star-gazing. It makes a fantastic base from which to explore the crater and volcanic landscapes.

Traveller Reviews of This Trip

What a fantastic holiday! The hotels were lovely, particularly the restaurant in La Orotava, and the walking superb. The suggested walks were incredibly varied and the scenery stunning. One thing to watch out for is that it can be pretty chilly high up so remember to pack plenty of layers. We bought another walking book to supplement the walking directions and this book was rubbish compared to Inntravel directions! We had a great time and would never have discovered these places without you. Thanks! Karen Till, London, 13/03/2011

The ridge walk along Guerges was the most interesting and dramatic walk we have ever done with plenty to enjoy along the way. The views and the experience will stay in my mind for a long time. This was a wonderful holiday - our first with Inntravel but not our last, I’m sure. I had been put off by the expense, but the convenience and the quality of service have convinced me it’s worth it. Also, you select lovely hotels and the walking routes, though a bit difficult to follow, were wonderful. Ms Rohsler, Kent, 05/01/2011

The highlight for us was discovering the beauty of the north of Tenerife – we had never been before and were very pleasantly surprised. This was our second holiday with you, and once again we have really enjoyed it and appreciated your itinerary and documentation. Dr Fletcher, Lancashire, 06/12/2010

For more reviews of this trip, see: Reviews of Walking in Tenerife & El Teide