Tenerife is a hiker’s paradise. After spending there few months, I must say, it truly is a hikers’s paradise and there is nothing that will change my mind. You love hiking? Tenerife is the place I will recommend as first choice. The landscapes are incredibly diverse. You’ll find trails through sandy deserts, dense forests, RAINFORESTS, and coastal cliffs. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, there’s something for everyone here. Each hike offers a different view of Tenerife, and it’s easy to see why hiking here is a must.

Here are some of the best hikes in Tenerife that you just can’t miss. I am also rating it based on difficulty level, where 1 star means an easy hike and 5 start means this one is challenging.

Montaña Blanca to El Teide

Difficulty: ★★★★★
El Teide is the highest peak in Spain, and the Montaña Blanca trail is the main route to reach the summit by feet. This is a challenging hike, but it’s worth the effort. Trail starts in a volcanic landscape. The higher you go, the more you’ll see views of the entire island. If you’re lucky, you might even see other islands from the summit on a clear day. I took this hike in the night to reach the top just for the sunrise. And I can say only this: if you are going to hike up the Teide, do it that way!
Hikes takes around 3-4 hours one way, if you are not a hiker at all, then you will need more time. I started at 3 AM, and reached the top around 6 AM.
I describe this hike in details in my “Hiking the most epic hike in Tenerife” post.

Benijo to El Draguillo via Camino del Hediondo

Difficulty: ★★★★

This trail is perfect if you love coastal views. Starting at Benijo, a quiet beach, you’ll hike up through the Camino del Hediondo. The path is scenic, and you’ll see ocean views most of the way. Along the route, you’ll find cliffs, wild greenery, and traditional Canarian homes. The hike isn’t too hard, but the paths can be narrow and rocky in some places. Take a lot of water with you, it tends to be very hot and the hike is long. There are plenty of places to enjoy quite breaks with incredible views but almost no shade. Do not hike during the rain or after heavy rains in previous few days. Route can be dangerous and very muddy.

Roque de Taborno

Difficulty: ★★★

This hike is known as the “Matterhorn of Tenerife.” Roque de Taborno is a unique rock formation that stands out in the landscape. The trail takes you around the rock, with views of the ocean and cliffs. It’s a short but challenging hike, with steep sections and narrow paths. The views make it well worth the effort. I did this hike with a dog, it was scary in places as path can be very narrow. Dog can walk it quite safely for the most of the hike but do not go with your pup if you are not sure how your dog behaves in more narrow and difficult parts of trail.

Ruta del Agua

Difficulty: ★★

Ruta del Agua, or “Water Route,” is a relaxing hike with a focus on the natural water sources of Tenerife. The trail is in near La Orotava and offers amazing views of El Teide. I’d recommend taking this hike closer to the sunset to see how forest is being lit in golden light. Again, I decided to hike there with Teri, trail was easy and safe for dogs.

Sendero Rambla de Castro

Difficulty: ★

The trail starts on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz, near Playa de los Roques. It takes you along a cliff above the beach, and after about 15 minutes, you’ll reach the Mirador de los Roque viewpoint, offering views of the beach and part of Puerto.

The second part of the trail winds through the Romantica neighborhood (Romantic Route - perfect for sunset in winter times). You’ll walk past streets lined with white villas and colorful flowers. Leaving the residential area, you’ll continue along a gravel path that runs along the coast, revealing stunning views. As you walk, you’ll see towering cliffs from various perspectives.

Soon, you’ll arrive at another viewpoint, Mirador de la Gordejuela. Below, you can spot the ruins of a building that once housed the island's first steam engine, which helped locals collect and transport fresh water.

A bit further along the cliff, you’ll come to a protected grove of palm and dragon trees. From here, you can descend to Playa Castro, where you might catch a glimpse of a seasonal waterfall. Above the beach is the San Pedro viewpoint, which marks the start of your return journey along the same route.

This light and pleasant trail offers beautiful views and is worth checking out.