10 Best Hiking Trails in the Canary Islands

A hike through Timanfaya National Park feels like a walk on Mars. Over the centuries, multiple massive eruptions have scarred the desolate landscape, leaving behind deep craters, cragged cones, warped rock formations, and a thick blanket of volcanic soil. Blood-red mountains set a silhouette to complete the otherworldly scene.

Numerous trails crisscross the park. Beginners should try the relatively flat 10-km excursion from the Los Dolores church to the Caldera Blanca volcanic cone. For a long coastal hike (27km return), the Ruta del Litoral straddles the shoreline, stopping off at rocky outcrops and rugged black-sand beaches.

Roque de los Muchachos offers a sweeping, high-altitude view of La Palma, one of the most scenic islands in the archipelago. The lookout peers over a dramatic 1,500-metre-deep volcanic caldera – and you can walk around the entire rim. But that’s not the only drawcard. On most days, hikers will see a sea of fluffy clouds unfurl beneath them, a spectacular natural phenomenon that stretches off to the horizon.

A wide selection of trails leads you to the lookout, from a quick-and-easy stroll to an arduous 9-hour ascent (the PR LP13 hike). While you’re there, check out the nearby observatory. It’s home to the Gran Telescopio Canarias, one of the largest telescopes on earth.

Pico de la Nieve means “Snowy Peak” in English, and this spectacular summit does indeed receive a light dusting during the winter months. Even so, the panoramic view is almost always accessible through a quick 90-minute linear hike (trail PR LP3). For a more adventurous trek, embark on the 2-day Ruta de la Cresteria instead.

Pico de la Nieve overlooks the Caldera de Taburiente, the largest erosion crater in the world. On the other side, you might spot hikers on Roque de Los Muchachos. Look east, and you’ll see the silhouette of La Gomera and Teneriffe in the distance.

Pico del Teide is a giant natural landmark and at 3,718 metres, it’s Spain’s highest point and the 3^rd tallest volcano on earth. And as you’d expect, the views from the top are out of this world. If you’re there during sunrise or sunset, keep a keen eye out for the shadow the volcano casts over the ocean – it’s the longest sea shadow on the planet.

A cable car can whisk you most of the way to the top (3,555 metres), from where a short but challenging climb leads to the peak. A more demanding option is to take the Telesforo Bravo path and overnight at the Refugio de Altavista to acclimatise. Permits are required to reach the peak if you don’t stay at the lodge.  

Chinamada is a remote Tenerife settlement that’s home to a slew of stunning hiking trails. The best of the bunch is the Punta del Hidalgo to Chimanda route, a 9-km return hike that traverses the scenic Anaga Mountains. Along the way, you’ll pass rugged sea cliffs and time-old forests where wildflowers bloom – there’s a broad range of landscapes to admire.

Upon arriving in Chinamada, take the time to admire its ancient cave dwellings – the locals carved them into a rocky escarpment centuries ago. Keep your distance, though. Despite their age, these traditional cavernous homes are still inhabited today.

Roque Nublo is an enormous hilltop monolith towering some 80 metres into the sky on Las Palmas. The striking stone was a place of worship for the indigenous inhabitants and has become a Gran Canaria landmark in recent years. Sweeping views of an adjacent extinct volcano and the UNESCO-listed Risco Caído region make the steep ascent entirely worthwhile.

The easy way to get there is to hike from La Goleta, a 5-km return trip. For a more extended outing, you can do a loop trek from Tejeda to La Caluta before hitting Roque Nublo and returning (5-6 hours). Exhausted? Stay at El Mirador del Roque Nublo and enjoy more monolith views from your bedroom window.

Garajonay is a verdant national park chock full of moss, lianas, and ferns and one place that forest hikers will love. The misty laurel forest dates back to the Tertiary Period, and some of its pre-historic plant species exist nowhere else on earth. Garajonay’s trademark twisted branches and ever-present low-lying clouds give the area a moody, fairytale vibe.

Hikers can choose from 18 trails that crisscross the park, many of which start at the tiny hamlet of El Cedro. Guided trips and trail maps are available at the information centre. A highlight is a 2-hour jaunt that leads to the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes and back.

Barranco de Santiago is a seldom-explored national park with gorgeous gorges that trickle down from La Gomera’s central peak, Alto de Garajonay. The scenic canyon region resides near the coastal town of Playa de Santiago and offers a broad selection of pleasant trails. Expect to encounter palm tree-peppered valleys, quaint bubbling brooks, and dramatic rock-clad valleys on any given route.

One of its top hikes winds between the tiny towns of Taco and Lo del Gato. The 8.5-km loop trail receives few visitors year-round, making it an ideal option for solitude-seeking hikers who yearn to escape the crowds.

Isla de Lobas, just off Fuerteventura, is a tiny protected inlet home to pristine beaches and wind-swept rocky valleys. While most visitors come to swim and snorkel, hikers can hit the 10-km Isla de Lobos loop trail to take in its spectacular terrain.

The route begins at the visitors’ centre by the port and circumnavigates the entire island. En route, you’ll visit the iconic Punta Martiño lighthouse, scale the volcanic Montaña La Caldera, and pass plenty of inviting beaches (La Concha is our top pick) should you fancy a swim. Ferries depart from Corralejo on Fuerteventura and take about 15 minutes to reach the island.

Camino de Jinama is the top trek on El Hierro, an eco-friendly (it runs off 100% renewable energy) island with more hiking trails than roads. Early highland inhabitants once followed the remote path to spend winter with their flocks in El Golfo, but these days it’s a bustling trekking mecca.

Don’t expect a walk in the park – the rugged trail from La Frontera to Mirador de Jinama climbs 840 metres in just 4.4 km. If you’ve got faith in your knees (and a good pair of hiking poles), you might prefer to walk downhill instead. Either way, plan a rest stop at the shady Mocán de la Sombra, which affords sweeping views of the coast. You’ll need to pre-book a taxi if you don’t fancy walking back.