Overview
Walking Canary islands’ national parks over 11 days is adventuring at its most sustainable and surprising. On this self-guided holiday, island hop and hike though three of the archipelago’s walking gems, Tenerife, La Palma and La Gomera, trekking the trails of some of Spain’s most spectacular national parks: Mount Teide, Caldera de Taburiente and Garajonay respectively. On Tenerife, explore the iconic Pico del Teide, Spain’s highest peak (3,715m). Stay in the same traditional accommodation on each island, with no luggage transfers needed, except when you take the ferry to the next island idyll.
This trip is available all year round, including Christmas and New Year.
- Summit Pico del Teide, Tenerife
- Caldera de Taburiente National Park
- Ruta de los Volcanes, La Palma
- Garajonay National Park
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Vilaflor, Tenerife
Welcome to Vilaflor on Tenerife, your base for the next three nights. Located in the south of the island, at an altitude of 1,400 m, Vilaflor is the highest village on Tenerife and gateway to Mount Teide National Park. Depending on arrival time, spend some time exploring the local area or relaxing in the hotel’s gardens and swimming pool.
- Accommodation: Hotel and SPA El Tejar or similar in Vilaflor
Day 2: Circular walk Vilaflor | 14.5km
This morning begins with a short transfer to Paisaje Luna, north of Vilaflor. The route today follows a well-maintained, way-marked trail through pine woods with views across the island’s volcanic terrain.
- Accommodation: Hotel and SPA El Tejar or similar in Vilaflor
- Walking for the day: 5-5.5h, 14.5km, ↑475m, ↓675m
Day 3: Circular Roques de García walk or Pico del Teide (3,715m) | 4.5-8km
There are two options for today. The first one is to take a transfer to Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide Hotel, the starting point for the 2h circular walk on the Roques de García trail. The second is taking the cable car to the summit of Pico del Teide to enjoy a short but scenic hike to the peak (3,715m). After descending via the cable car, the route heads back to Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide for a transfer back to Vilaflor.
Important note: If you plan to climb trail ten on Pico del Teide (the path from the cable car upper station to the summit), please ensure that you get your permit well in advance, available online here (free of charge). You do not require a permit to use the cable car or for any of the other trails.
- Accommodation: Hotel and SPA El Tejar or similar in Vilaflor
- Walking for the day: 1.5/2.5h, 4.5-8km, ↑250/120m, ↓250/300m
Day 4: Garajonay National Park, La Gomera | 10-13km
After an early breakfast, take a 30mins transfer to Los Cristianos harbour to take the first ferry to San Sebastián de la Gomera, where a taxi takes you to El Contadero, high up in Garajonay National Park. From here, the 4.5h walk down to Hermigua begins. The first section is a long but easy descent on wide footpaths, which is then followed by a short steep section at El Cedro. From here, the route continues on quiet inland roads to reach the next hotel, located in Hermigua, a charming village in the heart of a valley of the same name, well known for its iconic Roques de San Pedro rock towers.
Note: Ferry departures may change during the season and are always on request. If you would prefer to have a rest day and instead take an afternoon ferry, please let us know at time of booking.
- Accommodation: Hotel Casa de los Herrera or similar in Hermigua
- Walking for the day: 5/6h, 10-13km, ↑25/160m, ↓1,275/1,410m
Day 5: Circular walk from Hermigua | 12.5km
Today’s circular route begins by heading north from Hermigua, past abandoned coastal villages, with views of Tenerife and Pico del Teide. The route alternates between wide dirt tracks and stony footpaths and is well-marked throughout. Walk along exposed cliffs before descending back into the valley through papaya and mango fields.
- Accommodation: Hotel Casa de los Herrera or similar in Hermigua
- Walking for the day: 5.5-6h, 12.5km, ↑↓735m
Day 6: GR-123 to Vallehermoso | 9km
This morning begins with a transfer to national park’s Juego de Bolas Visitor Centre. From here, follow the GR-132 long-distance hiking path to Vallehermoso, passing the natural rock monuments of Monumento Natural de Roque Blanco and Mirador Roque Cano along the way. The route then descends toward Vallehermoso, a perfect spot with great views for a rest and drink, (the local fresh orange juice is the best!) before a transfer back to Hermigua.
- Accommodation: Hotel Casa de los Herrera or similar in Hermigua
- Walking for the day: 3.5-4h, 9km, ↑200m, ↓750m
Day 7: GR-131 to San Sebastián de La Gomera | 10km
Transfer to Restaurante Degollada de Peraza for an easy but rewarding, panoramic descent along the GR-131 trail to reach San Sebastián de La Gomera. From here, take the ferry to La Palma before arriving in island’s historic centre of Santa Cruz de La Palma.
- Accommodation: Hotel San Telmo or similar in Santa Cruz de La Palma
- Walking for the day: 4-4.5h, 10km, ↑125m, ↓1025m
Day 8: Cubo de la Galga, La Palma | 7-12km
Today’s route begins with an early morning transfer to starting point of the Cubo de la Galga Trail, for a walk that follows a mixture of wide forest paths and country roads to reach the coast. There are two stops along the trail where you can catch a bus to Barlovento, one after 7km and another after 11.7km. From Barlovento, the route continues for another kilometre before coming to a close at Hotel San Telmo.
- Accommodation: Hotel San Telmo or similar in Santa Cruz de La Palma
- Walking for the day: 4/6h, 7-12km, ↑450/650m, ↓400/800m
Day 9: Caldera de Taburiente National Park | 5.5-14km
After a transfer to Mirador de los Brecitos, in the heart of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the route first takes you down towards the river. Follow the path to Roque Idafe and Cascada de los Colores. It gets its name from the vibrant colours visible on its rock face, created by a magical mix of minerals. The day concludes with a transfer to Los Llanos de Aridane.
If the weather is very hot or there is a high risk of forest fires, the crater is closed off and the standard walk will not be possible. In this situation, there is an alternative route from Las Tricias Hotel to Mirador de los Brecitos.
- Accommodation: Hotel San Telmo or similar in Santa Cruz de La Palma
- Walking for the day: 3/6h, 5.5-14km, ↑435/250m, ↓350/900m
Day 10: Ruta de los Volcanes | 8-17.5km
The final hike of the tour follows a classic route in the island’s hiking repertoire, Ruta de los Volcanes. This area was already of great geological interest, however after the most recent volcanic eruption at Cumbre Vieja, it is now even more so. There is an option to shorten today’s route, by beginning the route in Los Canarios and following only the last section of the route towards the Fuencaliente Lighthouse (transfer supplement payable locally). Conclude the afternoon by taking a public bus back to Santa Cruz de La Palma.
- Accommodation: Hotel San Telmo or similar in Santa Cruz de La Palma
- Walking for the day: 4/6.5h, 8-17.5km, ↑80/550m, ↓700/1200m
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, take the ferry back to Tenerife, followed by a transfer from Los Christianos port to Tenerife Sur airport.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel and SPA l Tejar (Vilaflor, Tenerife
- Hotel Casa de los Herrera (Hermigua, La Gomera)
- Hotel San Telmo (Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as dinner on day one. Packed lunches are available at an extra cost from the accommodation or can be bought from local shops en route. Where no dinner is included, local restaurants are available in the areas you stay. Please, note that there is a supplement for Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year’s Eve (31 December) dinner. The supplement will be manually added to bookings on these dates.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded easy to moderate and includes walks of up to 17.5km a day. Some of the walks have sections with steeper ascents and descents, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. This route can be challenging for those with little walking experience (read more about difficulty grades).
Note: If you plan to climb trail ten on Pico del Teide (the path from the cable car upper station to the summit), please ensure that you get your permit well in advance, available online here (free of charge).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. Your holiday information pack will include more detailed information on route navigation.
When to go
This tour is available all year. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date.
The Canary Islands’ average temperature is between 18-24C throughout the year. Winter sees a few showers, but it’s still warm and you can swim in the sea all year.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended airports for this tour are Tenerife Sur (TFS – Reina Sofía) and Tenerife Norte (TFN – Ciudad de La Laguna).
Inclusions
Included
- 10 overnight stays in private en-suite rooms
- 10 breakfasts
- Dinner on day one
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Luggage transport when changing hotels
- Transfers to and from trailheads as per the itinerary
- Detailed digital holiday information pack, including route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and transfers not explicitly listed as included in the programme
- Lunches, dinners. drinks and snacks
- Supplement for Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinner
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
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