The Best Hikes in Tenerife: From Volcano to Cloud Forest

For a relatively small island, Tenerife has an extraordinary range of hiking — high-altitude volcanic terrain, ancient laurel forest, dramatic gorges and a wild black-sand coastline. Here are the trails that deserve your boots.

The iconic mountain hikes

The Teide routes sit at the top of every hiker's list — from the short crater rim at the cable car to the full summit ascent. The national park guide covers permits and weather. Below the volcano, the lunar landscapes and rock gardens around Roques de García make superb shorter circuits.

Anaga and the cloud forest

Anaga is the island's greenest corner — misty laurel forest, steep ridge trails and remote villages reached by footpath. Trails here rank among the most beautiful in the Canaries, and the birdwatching guide overlaps with the quietest ones.

Gorge and coast routes

The Masca gorge hike descends through a vertical ravine to the sea — dramatic, but challenging and requiring shuttle arrangements. Along the north coast, black-sand beaches and old farm tracks link villages with surprisingly gentle gradients, and the Teno massif offers remote ridge walks above the ocean.

Planning your hikes

Pick trails by season: the high volcano is best in summer, the forest trails shine in winter's softer light. Base yourself in the north for the green trails or the south for coast-to-mountain access. The itinerary guide allocates hiking days, and the hidden gems and things to do pages add trails the crowds never find.