All Articles An outdoor lover’s guide to Tenerife

An outdoor lover’s guide to Tenerife

From canyoning to hiking a volcano, this island has major range.

By Sarah Souli3 Apr 2024 4 minutes read
One person standing on a cliff in the Anaga coast, Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife's Anaga Coast
Image: © Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

It only took living on a Greek island for several years to become obsessed with living by the sea. I found myself particularly drawn to the Canary Islands, first traveling to Tenerife on assignment as a travel writer. I spent my days hiking, driving, and swimming through a mind-bogglingly diverse array of landscapes—made up of many microclimates, I was stunned by the island’s seemingly endless expanse of geographical and meteorological wonders.

Since then, Tenerife has earned a special place in my heart. From dinosaur-looking rock formations to volcanic craters and lichen-covered forests to sparkling lagoons, it has outdoor adventures to satisfy just about every adrenaline seeker. Here, a few of my favorites.

Tackle Mt. Tiede

Mt. Teide in Tenerife, Spain
Mt. Teide
Image: maxim F/Tripadvisor

At more than 12,000 feet tall, Tenerife’s Mt. Tiede is the world’s third-highest volcano and Spain’s largest mountain. To the indigenous Guanche people, Tiede was a sacred site and the mountain was considered to be responsible for holding up the sky, which is why it now sits within a 47,000-acre UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are multiple ways to navigate Mt. Tiede: If you want to hike to its summit, you’ll need to apply for a permit (only 200 are given per day, so be sure to apply in advance, at least two months out). The mountain-spanning Trail 10 takes a full day and is fairly strenuous, so those looking for an easier route can catch an eight-minute cable car ride to La Rambleta, a lookout point about 1,000 feet shy of the summit. (Note: If you want to go all the way to the tippy-top of the crater from the cable car, you’ll need to reserve your spot online in advance.)

If you’re not looking to summit the highest point in the park, opt for the nearly two-mile El Portillo–Roque del Peral trail, which kicks off at the El Portillo Visitor Center. Or, trek the 1.7-mile out-and-back Degollada del Cedro trail, which serves up panoramic views of the surrounding slopes, as well as a peek inside the stratovolcano caldera.

Tip: Pay attention to the wind! When it’s excessively windy, the cable cars are grounded and even hiking can become more dangerous.

Go whale-watching

View of Tenerife island from ocean. Pilot whales in the water are in the foreground
Pilot whales off the coast of Tenerife
Image: ValentynVolkov/Getty Images

The seas around Tenerife are full of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, who swim, jump, hunt, and mate among the waves year-round. Pilot whales are seen on almost all tours, as are bottlenose dolphins—but if you’re lucky, you’ll see sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, rough-toothed dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, Fraser’s dolphins, and more. For an even more magical experience, visit in winter, when migrating baleen whales occasionally swim past Tenerife.

Whale-watching tours worth booking:

No matter who you book with, look out for or ask about the operator's "Barco Azul" license, which makes sure tours respect the space and safety of Tenerife's marine life.

  • Unlike most operators, Whale Watch Tenerife organizes private tours for those who want a more personal experience.
  • Whale Wise Eco Tours operates on a hybrid boat, which uses solar power and an electric engine to limit disturbances while on the water. (The company also sets aside 50 percent of its profits to research and conservation projects.)
  • If you’re looking to add a bit of snorkeling or swimming to your whale-watching trip, Tenerife Yacht tackles both in a single tour.

Explore Anaga Rural Park’s forests

Aerial view of winding jungle road through Parque Rural De Anaga, Tenerife, Spain
Parque Rural De Anaga
Image: EP-stock/Getty Images

Few tourists venture to the northernmost section of Tenerife, so with any luck, you’ll have the 54-square-mile, lichen-covered Anaga Rural Park practically to yourself. Driving through the park is a wonder: zig-zagging roads lead you past cloud forests, mossy valleys, and black-sand beaches. There are tons of trails along the TF-12 and TF-134 roads that cut through the park—you can’t go wrong picking any path and starting to walk.

A good entry point is the Vueltas de Taganana trail, which kicks off from a parking lot at the Casa Forestal and takes you through the lush forest for about five miles to the historic hamlet of Taganana. The park is dotted with villages like this, which throwback to Tenerife’s more rural past—a far cry from the mega-hotels and resorts that dot the southern coast.

Tip: While there are public buses that go through Anaga Rural Park, you’ll want to rent a car to make the most of the scenic drives.

Surf Tenerife’s waves

Surfers on the beach in Tenerife at sunset
Playa de las Americas
Image: ronstik/Getty Images

Battered by the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife has long been a hot spot for surfers who flock to the island to ride swells. The biggest waves emerge in the blustery winter months, a time reserved for more seasoned surfers. But come summertime, even beginners can try their hand. Less wind means soft waves, creating the perfect classroom for first-timers.

For more tranquil surfing and waves for all levels, head to the south coast, to Playa de Los Cristianos and El Médano. More advanced surfers should head to Playa de Almáciga, Los dos Hermanos, and Fuera de la Bajeta for more powerful swells.

Tip: After so much exercise, get your energy back with every Tenerfian’s favorite post-surf snack, papas arrugadas—boiled potatoes served with a chili garlic sauce called mojo rojo. Look out for guachinches to try the papas. These laid-back, unassuming restaurants serve traditional Canarian cuisine, home-cooked and made with local ingredients.

Dip into the island's canyons

Famous canyon Masca at Tenerife - Canary
Masca Canyon
Image: TPopova/Getty Images

Though Tenerife may be home to Spain’s highest point, it has plenty of low-lying areas to explore—and the best way to do so is through a guided tour through canyons, ravines, and valleys. There are two options on the island, dry and wet (the latter will take you through rivers or small pools). Dozens of outfitters across the island, including Tenerife Adventures, offer both routes. Note: Most canyoning tours start with a fair bit of hiking before the fun really starts.

Tip: Tenerife is made up of micro-climates, which means the weather can change drastically even just within a few kilometers. Layer accordingly, especially on long adventure days.