Walking in Tenerife, vulcanoes and forests

Tenerife enjoys a subtropical oceanic climate in general - with mild, sunny weather most of the year. However, there is a marked difference between the coastal and inland areas, with the coasts being more temperate and the central part of the islands more extreme. There are also major contrasts between the north coasts (moist and green) and those on the south (more arid). Over the course of the year the islands receive very little rainfall, most of which occurs from October to March.

Average temperatures fall between 18ºC in December-January and 24ºC in August-September. The highest highs can reach 30ºC – or even 35ºC in summer on Tenerife - and lowest lows dip down to about 14ºC. Inland areas, at a much higher elevation, may be considerably colder and receive occasional frost or snow in winter. 

The month of August offers the most sunshine, at 10 hours a day. The island receives a small amount of rain from November to March (2 or 3 days a month) and practically no rain from April to October. The average sea temperature reaches its maximum in September: 23ºC.

Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

GUIBO is the app that allows you to easily follow your daily walking routes, with maps, tracks and useful information always available on your smartphone.

Practical information
With the download you will have access to three main sections:

• Tour itinerary: the complete map of your trip with day-by-day routes.
• Things to know: useful information such as emergency numbers, travel programme, accommodations and points of interest.
• Service: technical support, FAQs and assistance if needed.

What to bring with you

To use the app at its best, we recommend having:

• A fully charged smartphone or tablet (iPhone, iPad or Android)
• The GUIBO travel app installed
• The credentials to unlock your trip
• A fully charged power bank