Tenerife Essential

Category: Day trip – Hike
Distance: approx. 14.5 km
Duration: approx. 5 hours
Difficulty: difficult Suitablefor experienced hikers and true nature lovers
Equipment: Good footwear, windbreaker, sun protection, sufficient water and food

Anreise:
Mit dem Bus 342 von Titsa (www.titsa.com) vom Süden zum Parador oder mit zwei Autos (ein Fahrzeug in Vilaflor parkieren, mit dem anderen zum Start beim Parador fahren).

Wikiloc: Parador to Vilaflor – Joe Schacher

🌲 Starting point: Parador de las Cañadas (7.220 feet)

The hike begins at the Parador de las Cañadas del Teide, in the middle of Mount Teide, in the heart of the Teide National Park. Teide, in the middle of Teide National Park at around 7.220 feet above sea level.

I recommend arriving by Titsa bus 342. Important: Be sure to book your ticket in advance—seats are limited.

As with many of my tours, I use the Wikiloc app on Tenerife and download the route beforehand so I have offline access.

After about 8 kilometers, the turn-off to Vilaflor, Las Lajas

⛰ Ascent to Degollada de Guajara (8.200 feet)

The first kilometer serves as a gentle warm-up. After that, the demanding ascent to Degollada de Guajara begins.

The path winds upwards in switchbacks.

The path snakes steeply upwards in switchbacks—a real feat of strength. Once you reach almost 8.220 feet, however, you are rewarded with a spectacular view:

• View of Mount Teide
• the Cañadas
• the Llano de Ucanca
• the famous Roques de García

Arrived at Degollada de Guajara

A strong wind often blows up here. A windbreaker is therefore highly recommended.

🌋 Volcanic Landscapes and Tajinastes

The high mountain landscape fascinates me every time. The red tajinastes bloom especially in May and June—for me, the most beautiful plant in Tenerife.

The Tajinastes

The path leads steadily downhill towards the tree line. The landscape is constantly changing:

• vast pumice fields
• traces of old volcanic eruptions
• sections of forest scarred by fire
• open plateaus

The first life after the forest fire

These constant contrasts make the tour particularly varied.

🌕 Turn-off to Paisaje Lunar—an absolute highlight

After about 8 kilometers, the path forks:

➡ Directly to Vilaflor
➡ Or to Paisaje Lunar

The Paisaje Lunar

➡ Directly to Vilaflor
➡ Or to the lunar landscape of Paisaje Lunar

Here I treat myself to my bocadillo, drink plenty of water, and enjoy the silence.

🌲Descent to Vilaflor

The path then continues through pine forests and open countryside towards Vilaflor, the highest village in Tenerife.

The Camino del Real

The last section runs along the historic Camino Real, which is partly in poor condition. Sure-footedness is important here.

The hike ends in the lower part of Vilaflor. We had parked our car by the church—and I have to be honest: the last kilometer uphill back to the parking lot was harder than the entire tour before it.

The church of Vilaflor, the Iglesia de San Pedro

🍽 Tips for places to eat in Vilaflor & surroundings

After this demanding hike, I was quite thirsty and hungry.

🍳 Restaurante Cafetería Tito (Vilaflor)https://share.google/QP1RjlQ6qemQMo4Cs

Here we enjoyed a freshly made tortilla de patatas—just the thing after a tour like that, or I treat myself to some “papas arrugadas con mojo.”

Papas arrugadas

🔥 Restaurante “El Chamo” – La Escalona

On the way back, we’ve been enjoying stopping at El Chamo for years—a traditional Canarian asador. https://share.google/bNKbnXuItX5xIiARP

My recommendations:

Conejo en Salmorejo / Rabbit in salmorejo sauce

• Queso Asado
• Homemade croquettes
• Porcini mushrooms with lots of garlic
• Pork chop on the bone
• Carne de Cabra (Kid goat)
• Homemade desserts

A place with heart—you arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend.

💧 Important notes about the tour

• Often strong winds in the upper area
• Very dry air
• Be sure to drink enough
• Take dried fruit or energy bars with you
• Good physical condition required

For me, this hike is one of the most beautiful tours on Tenerife:
From the barren plateau of the Cañadas via Guajara and the Paisaje Lunar down to Vilaflor—incredibly varied in terms of landscape and challenging at the same time.