SloWays • Tenerife Walking Trip

Tenerife: one of the most fascinating of the Canary Islands, due to the great variety of landscapes it offers. Rainforests of aromatic bay laurel trees, vast deserts with bizarre basalt formations, humid areas with exuberant vegetation, colourful volcanic slopes...and the king of all Spanish peaks: El Teide. Discover this world of extreme beauty while enjoying the luxury of four comfortable and charming hotels.

The tips of Valentina:

Bizarre basalt formations and colourful deserts;
Overnight stay at the Parador Cañadas del Teide, beneath Spain's highest peak (3718m);
Exuberant and exotic vegetation, such as the Dragon Blood tree;
Picturesque historical villages like Garachico and La Orotova;
La Laguna, Tenerife's old capital, full of 17th-century architecture

Route

Day 1: Arrival in La Orotava

Day 2: Orotava Valley (12 km)

Day 3: Onward to Garachico (8-11 km)

Day 4: Masca Gorge (5,5-11 km)

Day 5: Las Cañadas del Teide (6-14 km)

Day 6: From Las Cañadas to La Laguna (4-5 km)

Day 7: Northern Tenerife (12 km)

Day 8: End of arrangement

Day 1: Arrival in La Orotava

Flight to Tenerife North airport and arrival at the first accommodation in La Orotava, with its lovely historical quarter centered around the Plaza de la Constitución. For early arrivals, time to take a stroll along the steep lanes of this picturesque village.

Day 2: Orotava Valley (12 km)

Today's route begins with a short drive to Aguamansa, where you encounter the wooded slopes of El Teide. Here you begin a circular walk through the lush vegetation of the Valle de Orotava. Lovely views of the entire valley, several options to make your walk longer or shorter according to preference.

Day 3: Onward to Garachico (8-11 km)

Today you drive to your next accommodation, situated in the coastal town of Garachico, with lava fields and laurel woods along the way. Several walks to choose from, as you explore the hilly terrain near Punta de Teno, a true paradise on Tenerife's westernmost cape. Admire the intriguing mix of flora, here at "land's end" or take a rest day to relax at the beach.

Day 4: Masca Gorge (5,5-11 km)

Today’s walk offers a stunning gorge, "el Barranco de Masca", and the chance to visit the village of Masca, with its shops, cafés and restaurants. There are 2 walks to choose from: a one-way route with return by boat or a there-and-back walk along the gorge. If you're not a fan of sheer drops, you can opt to do one of yesterday’s routes.

Day 5: Las Cañadas del Teide (6-14 km)

Today you drive to the Parador at las Canadas, at the foot of El Teide. Remainder of the day to enjoy your impressive surroundings, with 2 walks to choose from: a short, circular route around Roques de Garcia, or a demanding but rewarding ascent to Guajara, the second highest peak on Tenerife.

Day 6: From Las Cañadas to La Laguna (4-5 km)

Today you get better acquainted with El Pico del Teide, wandering through the bizarre landscape of Las Cañadas. Again, several options: do one of the routes from yesterday, or opt for a stroll round Santa Cruz or La Laguna.

Day 7: Northern Tenerife (12 km)

Several routes to choose from, after driving to the north side of the island. Both walking and driving itineraries offer lovely views. On foot, you follow coastal paths, deep gorges and picturesque farming villages. Exquisite landscapes in the prettiest part of Tenerife.

Day 8: End of arrangement

Your walking program comes to an end today after breakfast. Departure from La Laguna.

accommodation

7 nights' accommodation at very comfortable hotels on a BB basis

Hotel Alhambra - Orotava

This is a family run hotel centrally located in Orotava housed in a palace with a classic style overlooking El Teide, the valley and the sea. Rooms have an antiques style, well-finished and clean. Free Wifi in common areas. The hotel offers also an external swimming pool and a sauna.

www.alhambra-orotava.com

Hotel La Quinta Roja - Garachico

This Hotel is housed in a restructured 16th century palace and it was the historic dwelling of Marquess of Quinta Roja. A few steps from the beach and the Garachico natural swimming pool, the hotel offers elegant rooms with traditional wooden ceilings and neutral colour with TV. air conditioning, free Wifi, private bathroom. The structure offers also a sauna, a jacuzzi and a garden terrace.

quintaroja.com

Parador Cañadas del Teide - Las Cañadas del Teide

This Hotel is located in a very good position next to the vulcano in the stunning Teide National Park overlooking surrounding. Rooms are elegant, well-finished and clean with TV. The structure offers a swimming pool and telescopes for to admire stars.

www.parador.es

Hotel Laguna Nivaria - San Cristobal de la Laguna

Hotel Laguna is housed in a charming 16th-century mansion in San Cristóbal de la Laguna’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rooms are elegants and comfortable, spacious and bright with free Wifi, air conditioning/heating, TV and a kitchenette and fridge. Hotel also has a restaurant that proposes international and canarian cuisine with biological products.

www.lagunanivaria.com

practical info

In the documentation of your trip you will find driving instructions for transfers between arrival/departure airports and hotels.

GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is inclued:

· 7 nights' accommodation at very comfortable hotels on a BB basis

· Maps and detailed itinerary

· Luggage-health insurance

· Telephone support 24 hours

What is not included:

· Journey to the place of arrival and departure

· Lunches and dinners, except where otherwise noted. A pack lunch may be ordered at most hotels or you can buy provisions in villages along the way.

· Visits and entrance fees - tips

· Personal expenses such as drinks, meals, etc.

· National Park permit to El Teide summit (not needed for S-cape walks)

· El Teide cable car ticket

· Any visitor can take the cable car up to the vista point 500m below the summit. If you plan to walk to the top, you'll need a permit from the National Park (request online).

· Anything not specified under "The price includes"

Optional Services:

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

· Single room supplement

· Cancellation Insurance

· Any transfer to get to the starting point or to return from the point of arrival, which can be quoted on request.

· Extra nights can be booked in advance at any of the accommodations in the program or at the beach near Tenerife Sur airport or Los Cristianos harbour.