Into the volcanic heart of Tenerife

Five routes to follow by car, cycling or walking

Tenerife (Canary Islands) is a pretty exciting place. Magnificent beaches, a famous carnival, pleasant temperatures all year, and something less known but much more unusual. The volcanic nature of the island is waiting to be discovered on a trip into the origins of the land, the eruptions which brought Tenerife into existence. Reaching the summit of the Teide, the third highest volcano in the world, is a challenge worth facing when you’re 3,718 metres up, but it isn’t the only one. There are five less-known routes that you can follow on foot, by car or on a bicycle. This quest for the volcanic soul of Tenerife can be combined with visits to wineries, the island’s traditional flour mills, and even boat trips.

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Canary Island Tourist Office Tenerife Tourist Office

Territory of the Ancient Massif

This area between Garachico and Puerto de Santiago is known as “the island within the island”. An ideal landscape for imagining how it all began. Volcanic eruptions created impressive cliffs like the ones at Teno. We recommend visiting the Emigrante viewpoint (Garachico), Ballena viewpoint (Los Silos), Los Pedregales visitor centre (Teno Rural Park) or the Archipenque viewpoint (Los Gigantes).

Territory of the Great Landslides

Bounded by the valleys of La Orotava and Güímar, it is located between Puerto de la Cruz and Puertito de Güímar. The route includes viewpoints like Humboldt (La Orotava), Valle (Teide National Park) and Crucita (Corona Forestal), and can be combined with a tour of local wineries. This reward does mean trying the somewhat sulphurous flavours typical of the Canary Islands.

Territory of the Historic Volcanoes

The Canary Islands’ 15 biggest eruptions of the last thousand years took place here. We recommend visiting the Pedro Gil and Abeque Dorsals; the viewing points of Los Volcanes and Ucanca (Teide National Park), the volcano of Boca Cangrejo (Corona Forestal) and the gardens of Montaña Tagoro. As well as taking the cable car to the top of the Teide, you can visit a traditional mill made to grind gofio (the local maize flour).

Territory of the Abeque Dorsal

This is considered the most active volcanic area of the island, as the Chinyero eruption took place just 100 years ago. The Cueva del Viento (Icod de los Vinos), Europe’s longest lava tube, is also here. Around this area you can visit farming cooperatives and the viewing points of Pino Gordo (Corona Forestal), Narices del Teide (Teide National Park) and Chirche (Santiago del Teide).

Territory of Explosive Eruptions

In the southern part of the island there are authentic volcanic fields. It’s worth visiting the Hermano Pedro Cave, La Centinela viewing point (San Miguel de Abona) and the Montaña Chiñama viewing point (Granadilla de Abona). This is an ideal area for complementary activities such as windsurfing, scuba diving, or boat trips to see the impressive terrain from the sea.