Routes and Trails

    The National Park’s Management has designed a network of Trails, consisting in 12 routes with different lengths and degrees of difficulty. An informative pamphlet can be requested at the Visitors Centre.  

Recommended Trails:

1. Trail from “Portillo de la Villa” to “Los Riscos de La Fortaleza”

• Starting at: "Portillo de la Villa" Visitors Center.
• Ending at: "Riscos de la Fortaleza–Cañada de los Guancheros".
• Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes (one way only).
• Length: 5,3 km.
• Difficulty: low.
• Maximum difference in level: 150 m. downward.
• Connections: routes 2, 6 and "Camino Real de Chasna".

Description: from the beginning and right through to the “Cañada de los Guancheros” a series of hillocks are encountered, formed by banks of pumice stone, with Dyer’s Greenwood and Laburnum dominating. Along the “Cañada de los Guancheros” Wild Hill Roses, Tonatica and Scrubland Grass are added to the previous flora. Along its final span the trail runs along the foot of the “Riscos de la Fortaleza”, with vegetation that pertains to escarpments.

2. Arenas Negras Trail

• Starting at: "Portillo de la Villa" Visitors Center.
• Ending at: "Portillo de la Villa" Visitors Center.
• Duration: 3 hours (circuit).
• Lenght: 7 km.
• Difficuly: low (with one span that has an important gradient).
• Maximum difference in level: 250 m.
• Connectios: routes 1, 4, 6, 8 and "Camino Real de Chasna".

Description: The trail climbs upwards to the “Montaña del Cerillar” amongst an abundance of Dyer’s Greenwood deep-rooted in the layer of pumice stone. On the other hand the descent runs along the “Arenas Negras” Volcano, cone of the “Picón Negro”, which has still not been colonised by vegetation.

3. Roques de García Trail

• Starting at: "La Ruleta" Viewpoint.
• Ending at: "La Ruleta" Viewpoint.
• Duration: 2 hours (circuit).
• Lenght: 3,5 km.
• Difficulty: low (with one span that has an important gradient).
• Maximum difference in level: 200 m.

Description: “Los Roques” is an alignment of dikes, pitons and piles of diverse volcanic material; it constitutes the division between the two semi-cauldrons in which the great cauldron of “Las Cañadas” is divided. The route surrounds “Los Roques” along the northeast cauldron during the first span, subsequently descending along the southwest.  

4. Siete Cañadas Trail

• Starting at: "Portillo de la Villa" Visitors Center.
• Ending at: "Cañada Blanca" Visitors Center.
• Duration: 5 hours (one way only).
• Lenght: 15 km.
• Difficulty: low.
• Maximum difference in level: 150 m. upward
• Connections: routes 2, 5 and "Camino Real de Chasna".

Description: route that has been traditionally used by the island’s inhabitants since the time of the “Guanches”. It runs along the base of the “Pared del Circo de Las Cañadas”. Along its first span the vegetation that stands out is the presence of “Tajinaste Picante”. Beneath the “Las Cañadas” face a geomorphologic diversity can be observed, along with the presence of escarpment vegetation, with the “Tajinaste Rojo” being emphasised. The “Capricho” arises along the final span, with shapes of tremendous beauty. Remains of pastoral refuges can be found along the entire route.  

5. "Degollada de Guajara" Trail

• Starting at: "Cañada Blanca" Visitors Center.
• Ending at: "Degollada de Guajara".
• Duration: 3 hours (one way only).
• Lenght: 4,5 km.
• Difficulty: high.
• Maximum difference in level: 300 m.
• Connections: routes 4, 8 and "Camino Real de Chasna".

Description: This is the only route during which the face of “Las Cañadas” is both ascended and descended. Taking an alternative route the “Guajara” summit can be reached, from where a spectacular panoramic view of the “Pico del Teide” and of the entire Park can be enjoyed.  

6. " Montaña de los Tomillos" Trail

• Starting at: "Portillo de la Villa" Visitors Center.
• Ending at: upward trail to the "Montaña Blanca".
• Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one way only).
• Lenght: 7,5 km.
• Difficulty: average.
• Maximum difference in level: 500 m. upward
• Connections: routes 1 and 7.

Description: Its first span runs along deposits of pumice stone, with vegetation consisting in Dyers’ Greenwood and Laburnum. The “Montaña de los Tomillos” is found in the intermediate area, which is a volcanic cone that stands out in the landscape because of its dark hues. Along the final path, close to the “Montaña Blanca” trail, deposits of pumice stone are once again encountered, with scarce vegetation due to the altitude and strong winds.  

7. "Montaña Blanca" to "Pico del Teide" Trail

• Starting at: km. 40,200 of Road TF-21.
• Ending at: "La Rambleta" Viewpoint.
• Duration: 6 hours, 30 minutes (one way only).
• Lenght: 10 km.
• Difficulty: hight.
• Maximum difference in level: 1400 m. upward
• Connections: routes 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Description: This route should only be undertaken by persons in good physical condition. At the beginning it runs along deposits of pumice stone, then subsequently covering areas of colluvium, with the ascent finishing amongst young black lava formations, which have still not been colonised by vegetation.

8. Filo Trail

• Starting at: km 38,500 of Road TF-24.
• Ending at: "Cañada Blanca" Visitors Center.
• Duration: 9 hours (one way only).
• Lenght: 18 km.
• Difficulty: average.
• Maximum difference in level: 350 m. downward.
• Connections: routes 2, 4, 6 and "Camino Real de Chasna".

Description: The trail crosses through an area with excellent Dyer’s Greenwood along its first span. It then borders an important part of the south face of “Las Cañadas” amphitheatre, through areas with a tremendous geomorphologic and botanical variety. We can enjoy numerous panoramic views of the entire Park and of the “Pico del Teide” along the route. The descent to the “Siete Cañadas” trail is through the “Degollada de Guajara”.  

9. Teide–Pico Viejo–Road TF-38 Trail

• Starting at: La Rambleta.
• Ending at: km 3,2 of Road TF-38 ("Chahorra" Viewpoint).
• Duraction: 8 hours (one way only).
• Lenght: 12,5 km.
• Difficulty: extreme.
• Maximum difference in level: 1500 m. downward.
• Connections: route 7.

Description: this route runs through pyroclastic and lava material until the “Pico Viejo” is reached. It then borders east along its southern side, reaching the “Montaña del Calderón” after passing over “Las Narices del Teide”, and from there to Road TF-38. This trail is of great difficulty, as in great measure it runs through lava formations and very loose colluvium terrains.  

10. Trail that accesses the Pico del Teide. Telesforo Bravo Trail.

• Starting at: La Rambleta.
• Ending at: Pico del Teide.
• Duration: 40 minutes (one way only).
• Lenght: 700 m.
• Difficulty: hight.
• Maximum difference in level: 180 m. upward
• Connections: routes 7, 11 and 12.

Description: Access to the “Pico del Teide” is restricted and, therefore, a permit must be obtained from the Park’s Management. For more information please contact with the Park Office in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, C/ Emilio Calzadilla, 5. 4º piso. 38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Tel. 922.29.01.29.

11. "La Fortaleza" Viewpoint Trail

• Starting at: La Rambleta.
• Ending at: "La Fortaleza" Viewpoint.
• Duration: 25 minutes (one way only).
• Lenght: 600 m.
• Difficulty: average.
• Maximum difference in level: 40 m.
• Connections: routes 7, 9, 10 and 12.

Description: the viewpoint of “La Fortaleza” dominates the Park’s northern side and the island itself. From the viewpoint, weather allowing, an impressive panoramic view can be enjoyed, with the “Riscos de la Fortaleza” standing out in the first term.

12. " Pico Viejo" Viewpoint Trail

• Starting at: La Rambleta.
• Ending at: "Pico Viejo" Viewpoint.
• Duration: 30 minutes (one way only).
• Lenght: 700 m.
• Difficulty: average.
• Maximum difference in level: 65 m.
• Connections: routes 7, 10 and 11.

Description: an impressive panoramic view of the “Pico Viejo” crater can be seen from the viewpoint. On clear days it is possible to observe the islands of  “La Gomera, La Palma” and “El Hierro”.