Conquer Spain’s highest peak on a hiking holiday to Tenerife

What are the best hiking trails in Tenerife?

The jewel in Tenerife's crown is the 10.9 km Montaña Blanca to El Teide route, often considered the most challenging hiking trail in Tenerife. Along the way, you'll gain 1,371 m in elevation; as you ascend, you may start to find breathing difficult, as the oxygen is very thin towards the top of Mount Teide. This is a tough route which usually takes five to six hours. The good news is that once you reach the top, you can jump into a cable car for an easy route back down! Apart from Teide, there are a number of great routes for hiking in Tenerife. The 5 km Masca Gorge is one of the island's most scenic routes. It's tough going, scrambling over rocks as you follow the trail, but you'll finish up on Masca Beach, so you can jump into the sea for a quick dip to cool off. For an easier option, try the Siete Cañadas trail. Around 17 km long, this route takes you through the heart of rural Tenerife, and is particularly picturesque when the flowers are blooming in spring.

Where should I stay in Tenerife to be close to the best trails for hiking?

While most visitors concentrate in the southern part of the islands, around the most popular beach resorts, serious hikers should look for holiday lettings in Tenerife in the north. This is the quieter side of Tenerife, and will mean that you're closer to the island's best hiking trails. Staying in Puerto de la Cruz is a good option for a hiking trip to Tenerife. This charming, quiet town is close to both Teide National Park and Anaga Rural Park, where you'll find some of the most popular hikes. At night, there's none of the nightlife that can be so disturbing in the south. That means you'll get plenty of much-needed sleep before waking up to hit the trails!