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Route around Tenerife

A circular itinerary around the island of Tenerife, focusing on access to the three national parks (Teide, Teno and Anaga).

map with the route

The marked route is available here for online viewing and download in the gpx format.

  1. Granadilla de Abona
  2. Güimar
  3. San Andres
  4. Bajamar
  5. Puerto de la Cruz
  6. La Orotava
  7. Buenavista del Norte
  8. Santiago del Teide
  9. Costa Adeje
Start Granadilla de Abona
End Costa Adeje
Length ~ 240 km
Duration 3-4 weeks

Route Description

Granadilla de Abona

One of the best locations for excursions around the southern side and up to the Teide national park. Located at an altitude of 650m above the sea.
Possible excursions:
  1. Take a bus to Arona for a hike up the Roque del Conde
  2. Hike or take a bus to Vilaflor, a small and pretty town in the mountains
  3. Follow the Camino del Rey to the nearby villages
  4. Take a bus down to El Medano to visit the La Tejita Beach and the Red Mountain Natural Reserve
  5. Hike up to the Teide national park area
Continue: By bus to Güimar

Güimar

Home to several historic lava stone pyramids and start of the Cumbre Dorsal route.
Possible excursions:
  1. Walk to the Malpais de Güimar, a small protected area with several vulcanic cones.
  2. Steep but very beautiful hike up to the Cumbre Dorsal (it is possible to go all the way to the La Caldera bus station and return by bus from La Orotava, if one walks fast).
Continue: By bus to San Andres

San Andres

Great location for walks up the valleys (barrancos) of the southern Anaga mountains. With the artificial Las Teresitas beach, it also has the best beach on the island.
Continue: By bus to Bajamar

Bajamar

On the rough and often windy northern coast. Many great hikes into the rugged mountains of the Anaga rural park start here.
Possible excursions:
  1. Take a bus to La Laguna, for well preserved colonial architecture.
Continue: By bus to Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz

The main city on the northern coast, with excellent bus connections to all places on the island. Good combination of lively and relaxed.
Possible excursions:
  1. Take the morning bus to the Teide national park.
  2. Take a bus to the La Caldera stop for another (and better connected) hiking area
Continue: By bus to La Orotava

La Orotava

Historic town high up in the Orotava valley, just below the caldera so that one is very close to the start of many hiking routes (like Los Organos or the Montana de Limon).
Continue: By bus to Buenavista del Norte

Buenavista del Norte

Small town in the extreme north west of the island. The best place for excursions around the Teno rural park.
Possible excursions:
  1. Take a bus to Garachico an old harbour town, that was partially covered by lava flows in the 17th century.
  2. Take a bus to the nearby Masca village for a spectacular hike down the Masca gorge to the sea.
Continue: By bus to Santiago del Teide

Santiago del Teide

Quiet town located in a wooded area on the road down to Los Gigantes.
Possible excursions:
  1. Follow the route down to Los Gigantes for a view of the spectacular cliffs of the same name.
  2. Short hike to the Montanas Negras, a landscape of stunning contrast between dark volcanic rocks and fresh green pine trees.
Continue: By bus to Costa Adeje

Costa Adeje

Together with the nearby Playa de las Americas and Los Christianos the main beach resort of the island. Good for some final relaxation before the trip to the close-by airport.
Continue: By bus to the airport