The Best Hiking Spots in the Canary Islands

Hiking in the Canaries certainly has plenty of ups and downs – literally. Thanks to the volcanic nature of the archipelago, there’s no shortage of mountainous terrain to enjoy, as well as settings from lush rainforests through to stark lunar landscape. Here’s our pick of the most-epic spots on the islands.
Garajonay National Park – La Gomera
Natural Feature

La Gomera, the second-smallest of the islands, is a subtropical paradise, where lush greenery abounds. The steep mountainous terrain has characteristic jagged edges that give this place an otherworldly feel, to the point you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed on a Hollywood set. Two trails make this terrain easier to cross: the first takes you to the laurel tree forest in the centre and into the Garajonay National Park and to the 1,487-metre (4,879-feet) mountain with the same name, while the second takes you in a circle around it. Make sure your camera is fully charged, as you won’t want to run out of juice tramping through this super-photogenic landscape.
Roque Nublo – Gran Canaria
Natural Feature

Roque de los Muchachos – La Palma
Natural Feature, Park

If you pay a visit to the highest peak of La Palma – climbing up to 2,426 metres (7,959 feet) – you’ll find the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory. One of many telescopes situated above the cloud layer, with wide clear skies in all directions, you can see why this summit was selected as an observational site. There’s also something eerily futuristic about the glittering white domes dotting the dark arid landscape. It’s about a 3.5-hour hike, and it’s not too strenuous, though the trail is also used as a running path for the ultra-fit.
Volcanoes of Timanfaya – Lanzarote
Park

Barranco de la Angustias – La Palma
Natural Feature

Nature is the earth’s greatest artist, and nowhere is this clearer than at the Cascada de Colores, a colourful waterfall made up of minerals, moss and algae of differing greens, oranges and yellows. This special site is accessed via the trails in Barranco de la Angustias – it’s quite a difficult 5-hour round trip, scrambling over rocks, perhaps with wet feet if it’s been raining, but you’ll pass other waterfalls on your way and be rewarded with the stunning Cascada at the end.
Masca village – Tenerife
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

Located on a rocky outcrop in the middle of a steep ravine are a handful of houses that make up the tiny and ancient Masca village. Before it was connected by a very windy road in 1993, inhabitants had to make do with a simple dirt track. Now, it is a popular spot for visitors who come and start the 3-hour walk from the village and head towards the little black-sand beach below for a well-earned swim.
Parque Natural de la Corona Forestral – Tenerife
Natural Feature, Park

To the south of Tenerife, you’ll find the Parque Natural de la Corona Forestal, the largest protected natural area in the Canary Islands. A wonderful area to walk around and steeped in history, it is also home to the captivating sight of the Lunar Landscape. The hillside of soft volcanic beige ash has been eroding over hundreds of years to form conical landscapes of otherworldly illusions. The walk here is over ancient trails – former trade routes between villages – and through pine forests, starting at Vilaflor, Tenerife’s highest village.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.