Oceanview 5

Walks and hikes on the north coast

Two of these start at our front gate and need no car at all. The rest climb into laurel cloud forest, across the lava of the island’s most recent eruption, and through a landscape of white pinnacles that people call lunar.

We have been honest about how long each drive is, which trail needs a permit booked weeks ahead, and which one to walk downhill only.

9 — written by the people who host here.

Deeply eroded ridges and abandoned terraces in the Anaga massif, with a single white house far below in the valley

Anaga Rural Park

Anaga: the Pijaral enchanted forest

The laurel forest walk from La Ensillada in Anaga needs a free permit booked ahead — only 45 people a day get in. How it works, and why it is worth the drive.

Black volcanic ground and a cinder cone above Santiago del Teide, with Canary pines growing through the lava and the snow-topped peak of Teide behind

Santiago del Teide

Arenas Negras

The shorter volcanic walk above Santiago del Teide — about an hour and a half through black volcanic sand and pine, with much of what makes Chinyero worth seeing.

Pale, banded volcanic pumice eroded into steps and columns beside a stone-edged track, with Canary pines growing along the top

Vilaflor

Paisaje Lunar

The lunar landscape above Vilaflor: pale pinnacles of eroded volcanic rock high on Teide's southern slopes. A long drive from the north, and a genuine oddity.

The palm grove at Rambla del Castro seen from above: dense Canary date palms on a green headland, a yellow house among them, and the Atlantic beyond

Los Realejos

Rambla del Castro

An easy two-hour coastal walk near Los Realejos through a wild palm grove, ending at the Mirador de San Pedro. The best-known walk on Tenerife's north coast.

A stony ridge path in the Teno highlands disappearing into low cloud, with agaves and lichen-covered rock on the slope falling away to the right

Teno

Teno Alto

A highland walk in the Teno massif, one of Tenerife's oldest corners, around a village that still makes its own goat cheese. Bring layers — the weather turns fast.

The dark cinder cone of Chinyero rising from a plain of black volcanic ash, with young Canary pines scattered across it and Teide's ridge hazy behind

Santiago del Teide

The Chinyero trail

Chinyero was Tenerife's last eruption, in November 1909. The trail crosses its black lava fields through regenerating pine forest, above Santiago del Teide.

Rows of banana plants filling a coastal terrace above Playa de San Marcos, with the Atlantic and a white apartment block beyond

San Marcos to Garachico

Walking from San Marcos to Garachico

An easy hour on foot from Playa de San Marcos to Garachico, through banana terraces and along a bike path. No car, no trailhead — it starts at the door.

San Juan de la Rambla

El Rosario to Las Aguas

A one-hour coastal walk between two small villages near San Juan de la Rambla. Flat, quiet and close to San Marcos — a good choice for an arrival day.

Icod de los Vinos to San Marcos

The downhill walk from Icod de los Vinos

A short, easy downhill walk from Icod de los Vinos back to Playa de San Marcos. Go this direction only — the climb the other way is a different proposition.

More of the guide