Tenerife: Guided Hiking Tour with Andy & Private Transport

Summary

Walk ancient volcano trails hear stories from locals and picnic in Tenerife’s wild places

You’ll hike through Tenerife’s volcanic landscapes with Andy as your local guide, learning about geology and old island traditions along the way. Expect rocky paths, laurel forests, quiet valleys, and plenty of photo stops — plus a picnic break with views you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We tumbled out of the van just after sunrise — well, some of us more graceful than others. The air in northern Tenerife is sharper than I expected, kind of earthy and salty at the same time. Andy (our guide, who’s lived here ages) handed out walking sticks and grinned like he knew something we didn’t. “You’ll see why I love this island,” he said, and honestly, I was already starting to get it. The path was stony underfoot, lava rocks still blackened from eruptions centuries back. My boots slipped once or twice; Andy just laughed and pointed out a patch where lizards sun themselves if you’re patient enough to spot them.

We hiked up through laurel forests that felt almost prehistoric — mossy trunks, a faint smell of wet leaves, birds calling in bursts. It wasn’t silent but it was…quiet? Every so often Andy would stop and tell us about the geology (“That ridge there is older than most countries,” he said), or share stories about how people used to cross these mountains on foot carrying goats or cheese. At one point we all just stood staring at the view down into Masca gorge — nobody spoke for a minute, except someone quietly unwrapping their sandwich (I’m pretty sure it was me).

The whole day trip hiking in Tenerife felt like a mix of challenge and easygoing moments — sometimes rocky scrambles where you have to watch your step, then suddenly a flat stretch with wildflowers everywhere. Our group was small enough that nobody got lost in the shuffle; Andy checked on everyone without making it weird. We stopped for lunch on a sun-warmed boulder overlooking the valley. Cheese tasted better than usual — maybe just because I’d earned it? I still think about that view when my phone pings during work meetings now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided hiking tour in Tenerife

• Join guided walk in Tenerife
• Hike up to 12 km distance
• Ascend and descend up to 600m
• Encounter rocky path sections
• Stop for photographs and information
• Take a picnic break
• Complete approximately 5 hours hiking

Top questions

How long is the guided hiking tour in Tenerife?

The hiking tour usually takes around 5 hours including picture stops and a picnic break.

What distance will we cover during the hike?

You’ll typically walk up to 12 km with up to 600m ascent/descent.

Is hotel pickup included on this day trip hiking in Tenerife?

The tour includes private transportation arranged by your guide.

Who leads the guided walks in Tenerife?

Andy leads the hikes and shares information about local geography, geology, and history.

Are group sizes limited on this tour?

Groups are normally no more than 12 people unless otherwise arranged in advance.

Is lunch included on this hiking tour?

You’ll have a picnic break during the hike but should bring your own food.

What fitness level do I need for this hike?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for this tour.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

The hike isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation across Tenerife’s varied landscapes, full public liability and rescue insurance for peace of mind, and Andy as your guide sharing stories about local geology and history — plus plenty of stops for photos and a relaxed picnic break along the trail before heading back together.