Hiking in Tenerife: The Island's Finest Trails
Few islands offer hikers such varied terrain: hiking in Tenerife leads from the volcanic summit of Teide, Spain's highest, to the laurel forests of Anaga, by way of the dizzying Masca gorge. High-altitude paths, ravines and ancient laurisilva create radically different settings on a single island. We haven't hiked here ourselves yet; this guide gathers verified, up-to-date information to help you choose your routes by level, season and the permits to book.
The essentials at a glance
- Three great terrains: Teide (high-altitude volcanic), the Masca gorge (barranco), Anaga (laurel forest).
- Permits to book: the Teide peak (Telesforo Bravo and Montaña Blanca trails) and the Masca gorge descent.
- Best seasons: spring and autumn; in summer, avoid the heat at low altitude, but Teide stays cool.
- Kit: hiking boots, a windproof, water and sun protection; weather varies hugely with altitude.
Our approach: verified research, not first-hand experience (yet)
- We haven't hiked in Tenerife ourselves yet. This guide is built from thorough research — official national-park sources and up-to-date data — to help you plan your walks transparently.
- We'll enrich it with our own on-the-ground experience after our next visit. Until then, routes, times and rules are indicative: check trail status and permits before you set off.
Where to hike in Tenerife?
The finest hikes in Tenerife are concentrated on three very different massifs. At the centre, Teide National Park offers high-altitude trails in a lunar setting, up to the peak at 3,715 m — see our dedicated page on hiking Teide.
To the west, the Masca hike descends one of the most spectacular gorges in the Canaries down to the sea. To the north-east, hiking in Anaga plunges into a humid, misty laurel forest, listed by UNESCO.
To these three massifs are added countless coastal and rural trails, waymarked (PR-TF), that criss-cross the whole island for all levels.
Do you need a permit to hike in Tenerife?
For most trails, no. But two flagship routes are regulated. Climbing the Teide peak, via the Telesforo Bravo trail (from the cable car) or the Montaña Blanca trail (on foot from the TF-21), requires a free permit booked on the official TenerifeON platform.
New for 2026: an eco-fee now applies to both of these summit trails (around €15 for non-residents). The Masca gorge descent is also on paid booking. Book early and check the opening status, as trails can close in bad weather.
What level and when to go?
Tenerife offers trekking in Tenerife for every profile. Accessible family loops, like the Sendero de los Sentidos in Anaga or the Roques de GarcÃa at the foot of Teide, sit alongside demanding multi-hour ascents.
Spring and autumn are ideal. In summer, the heat makes low- and mid-altitude trails gruelling, but Teide stays cool, even cold at night. In winter, snow can cover the summit. Always match the route to the day's weather.
Hiking with family or a guide
With children, favour the short, shaded trails of Anaga or the Roques de GarcÃa loop, with no technical difficulty. For committing routes (the Teide peak, the Masca gorge), a local guide adds safety and logistics.
Many operators offer guided hikes, from Teide sunrise walks to Anaga crossings, often with transport included.
Kit and safety
The mountains demand respect, especially at altitude. Bring hiking boots, several layers (the summit is freezing), a windproof, plenty of water and strong sun protection: at 3,000 m the sun burns fast.
How to reach the trailheads?
Most trailheads are reached by car, often at the end of mountain roads. Car hire in Tenerife is the easiest way to reach Teide, Masca and Anaga at the time that suits you, ideally early in the morning.
To plan the rest of your trip, see our Tenerife guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best hikes in Tenerife?
Climbing the Teide peak, descending the Masca gorge and the laurel-forest trails of Anaga (such as the Sendero de los Sentidos) are among the must-dos.
Do you need a permit to hike in Tenerife?
Only for the Teide peak (Telesforo Bravo and Montaña Blanca trails, permit + eco-fee via TenerifeON) and the Masca gorge descent (paid booking). Other trails are free.
When to hike in Tenerife?
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is hot at low altitude but Teide stays cool; in winter, snow can cover the summit. Always check the day's weather.
Can you hike with family in Tenerife?
Yes: the short Anaga trails (Sendero de los Sentidos) and the Roques de GarcÃa loop, with no technical difficulty, suit families.
Do you need a guide for Teide or Masca?
Not compulsory, but a guide adds safety and logistics on committing routes like the Teide peak or the Masca gorge, often with transport included.
What kit for hiking in Tenerife?
Hiking boots, several layers (Teide is freezing), a windproof, plenty of water and strong sun protection, as altitude intensifies the sun.