Walk from Plantations to Pine Forests and Laurisilva Cloud Forest to Lava Fields.
Year round walking on Spain’s exotic Island.
Your first view of the great volcano Mount Teide (3718m, 12188ft) will be from the
aeroplane window. A few days later you will be there, walking across the Cañadas del Teide, a massive crater of 16km diameter to arrive at the 4 star Parador del Teide, your overnight stop (2200m). The following day choose between the cable car which takes you to 3550m or the fascinating Roques de Garcia and its lava caves before returning to the warm coast. This is a varied tour, which makes use of the island’s bus service to get to some great walks.
Tenerife is the highest island in the Atlantic and is the largest of the canary islands at 1275 square miles. Mount Teide in the centre of the island is Spain's highest mountain and the third tallest volcano in the world. Walking in the north of Tenerife is hugely varied and our aim is to show you as much as possible. Before the Cañadas del Teide adventure, you walk in the rugged Anaga peninsula - its top covered in dripping ancient 'laurisilva' woodland, descending past fertile cultivated
fields, tiny villages, then dry cactus strewn valleys to reach the rocky coast. The next day’s the walk is through a maze of forest trails eventually entering the silent world of tall, majestic canarian pines. Our short coastal walk passes banana plantations and views of the vineyards in the beautiful Orotava valley leading us to the black sand beach of Bollullo with its bar/restaurant. Finally we explore the northwest with its own mountain range, the ‘Teno’ and views across the sea to the island of La Gomera and down the cliffs to the impossibly located village of Masca.
From the ancient university town of la Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the elegant resort of Puerto de la Cruz on the north coast we have selected a programme of varied walks, which when combined with the walking on Mount Teide make for a wonderful week. Tenerife has an excellent bus service enabling us to keep tour costs down. Discounts on the buses are given to those paying by 'bonobus' cards. A card
will be included in your travel pack. The benign Canarian latitude makes this tour possible at any time of year although altitude and microclimates can give many changes in temperature during the same walk. This tour could be combined with 8 day La Gomera walk to make a fabulous two week Canarian holiday!
7
nights/8 days - Nights 1 & 2 are at San Cristobal de La Laguna in a 3* Aparthotel in the centre of this old university town which is a World Heritage Site. Rooms are ensuite with heating/airconditioning, TV and a small kitchen bay. There is a bar cafeteria and breakfast room. Dinner can be taken at one of the restaurants or cafeterias in town. Nights 3, 4, 6 & 7: Puerto de la Cruz. Our friendly 2 star hotel is located in the pedestrian centre of Puerto de la Cruz, an attractive coastal town. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, TV and many have balconies.There is a swimming pool on the roof of the building and a small gym in the basement. On the morning of Day 5 you leave the bulk of your luggage at reception, to enable you to take the bus to El Portillo with your day sack containing toothbrush and essentials for one night. Night 5: Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide. This famous 4 star hotel has very comfortable rooms, satellite TV, minibar, etc. and provide shampoo, body lotion, hairdryer, etc. so no need to take these. Dinner is included in the hotel's elegant dining room.
Note: On day 5 & 6 you will need to carry items required for the overnight stay at the Parador. Luggage is not transported to this Hotel because of the high cost of doing so.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarking
Signposting and waymarking is patchy, need to use walking notes with photos and/or maps of key points.
Accommodation
and Meals 2 nights in 3* apartment hotel in san Cristobal de la Laguna, 4 nights in 2* hotel in Puerto de la Cruz and 1 night in Parador de Las Canadas del Teide. All rooms have ensuite facilities. Bed & breakfast throughout, 1 evening meal included at the Parador. Overnight items need to be carried for 2 days as luggage is not taken to the
Parador.
Travel
via Air: Charter flights are available on most days to Tenerife South from Gatwick. Regional airports available.
NB: There are more flights available on Tuesdays & Fridays. Alternatively book direct with a low cost airline.
From the airport take the 341 bus to Santa Cruz (1 hour, €5 each when using bonobus) and then taxi to
La Laguna (approx €15).Tour ends in Puerto de la Cruz. From the bus station take the 340 or 341 for the airport.
