{"id":347,"date":"2026-02-05T17:04:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T17:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tenerifeessential.com\/2026\/02\/05\/ruta-de-los-20-miradores-my-favourite-day-trip-in-tenerife\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T15:43:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T15:43:51","slug":"ruta-de-los-20-miradores-my-favourite-day-trip-in-tenerife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tenerifeessential.com\/en\/2026\/02\/05\/ruta-de-los-20-miradores-my-favourite-day-trip-in-tenerife\/","title":{"rendered":"Ruta de los 20 Miradores \u2013 My favourite day trip in Tenerife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For me, this day tour over the G\u00fc\u00edmar ridge into Teide National Park is the highlight<\/strong> of Tenerife. Over around 175 kilometres, I\u2019m accompanied by Teide\u2014the highest mountain in Spain\u2014for almost the entire day. <\/p>\n\n

Starting in the south \u2013 setting off for G\u00fc\u00edmar<\/h2>\n\n

I start in Tenerife\u2019s sunny south and take the TF-1 towards Santa Cruz. After the tunnel, I take the exit for G\u00fc\u00edmar. If you have the time and feel like it, this is a great place for the first stop: visit the Pir\u00e1mides de G\u00fc\u00edmar\u2014an ethnographic park where you can learn a lot about the island\u2019s first settlers, the Guanches. I plan around an hour and a half for the visit. <\/p>\n\n

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View from the TF 523 towards Iza\u00f1a<\/p>\n\n

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View over G\u00fc\u00edmar towards Gran Canaria<\/p>\n\n

After that, I take the TF-525 up to Arafo. There I switch to the TF-523, a well-developed mountain road with the first fantastic views. I usually stop at the Miradores La Chivisaya and Monta\u00f1a Colorada before the road joins the TF-24. <\/p>\n\n

Through the Esperanza Forest \u2013 the start of the \u201cRuta de los 20 Miradores\u201d<\/h2>\n\n

The TF-24 runs through the Esperanza Forest over the ridge into the Ca\u00f1adas and into Teide National Park. For me, this is where the real \u201cRuta de los 20 Miradores\u201d begins: one panorama follows the next, with the sea, the blanket of clouds and Teide alternating in spectacular scenes. <\/p>\n\n

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View from Mirador de Chipeque<\/p>\n\n

A must for me is a stop at Mirador de Chipeque. From here I enjoy a fantastic view of the north coast, the sea of clouds and Teide. After that, more viewpoints await, such as Mirador de Ayosa, Mirador La Crucita and, above all, Mirador La Tarta (the \u201ccake\u201d). The stacked layers of volcanic rock show impressively how this ridge has grown over many eruptions. <\/p>\n\n

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The observatory<\/p>\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in astronomy, you should plan a visit to the Observatorio del Teide. Tickets are limited, so I recommend buying them online in advance. The view from there of Teide\u2014and, on a clear day, all the way to Gran Canaria\u2014is spectacular. <\/p>\n\n

El Portillo, visitor centre and Minas de San Jos\u00e9<\/h2>\n\n

In El Portillo, the TF-24 joins the TF-21. I often take a break here, have a coffee or a bite to eat at the restaurant, and recharge. Very close by is the El Portillo visitor centre. The formation of the Canary Islands and the unique volcanic landscape are explained very clearly here\u2014interesting for adults and children alike. <\/p>\n\n

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NID<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Another favourite stop of mine is the Minas de San Jos\u00e9. It\u2019s often windy there, but I love walking over the light basalt stones while keeping Teide in view. The pale volcanic landscape makes an ideal backdrop for photos. <\/p>\n\n

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El Teide once again<\/p>\n\n

If time allows, it\u2019s worth taking the Teide cable car up. The last ascent towards the summit is in the afternoon; if you want to go up, keep an eye on the time and reserve tickets in advance. <\/p>\n\n

Ca\u00f1adas, Parador and Roque de Gracia<\/h2>\n\n

Along the TF-21, more viewpoints await me, such as El Tabonal Negro, Mirador de la Ruleta, Llano de Ucanca, Zapato de la Reina and others\u2014each with its own character. A special place of worship for me is Mirador Roque de Gracia. I park at the Parador de Las Ca\u00f1adas del Teide and walk to the Roque. From the Parador, I also have access to a souvenir shop. Some items are by local artists; others\u2014like so often\u2014are more from the Far East. <\/p>\n\n

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View of El Teide from Roque de Garc\u00eda<\/p>\n\n

Shortly before the Juan \u00c9vora ethnographic museum, the road splits. Here I have two options: <\/p>\n\n