Cable car and Masca prices are from the official sites, read 6 November 2026; the Barranco del Infierno rules are those of its official booking site.

Trail types on the island

The tourist board explains the markers used on Tenerife's trails (read 7 November 2026):

  • GR: white and red markers, long distance, over 50 km, usually several days.
  • PR: white and yellow, 10 to 50 km. Some under 10 km are classed PR because the terrain is steep.
  • SL: white and green, under 10 km.

Its trail listing can be filtered by landscape (coastal, green or volcanic), duration (under 2 hours, 2 to 3 hours, over 3 hours), difficulty and whether the route is circular or linear.

Teide

The cable car climbs from 2,356 m to 3,555 m; the crater rim path needs a permit booked in advance, and the tourist board says guests staying at the refuge can reach the summit without a permit if they go before 9:00. The guided tour with summit hike and cable car on Tiqets is the simple route for someone who wants a guide. If you walk by yourself instead, the board lists PR-41 from El Socorro beach to Mount Teide as very high difficulty. For the cable car, permit and mountain details, see Teide cable car, Teide National Park and Mount Teide tours.

Barranco del Infierno

This Special Nature Reserve above Adeje town is a 6.5 km round trip of about 3.5 hours with a climb of at most 200 m. Entry is booked online only through barrancodelinfierno.es, the number of walkers is capped at 300 a day, hiking boots are required, and children under five and animals are not allowed. The first 30 minutes can be hard if you suffer from vertigo.

Masca

The gorge walk costs from 40.66 euros on the official site, uses the public bus 355 from Santiago del Teide, takes about 4 hours on foot and ends with a boat that you pay for separately. Details are in Masca, Tenerife.

Walks without booking

The Roques de García loop in Teide National Park takes 2 to 2.5 hours; see Roques de García. PR-TF 65 runs from Santiago del Teide to Puerto de Santiago (8 km, intermediate), and from Garachico a five-hour intermediate-to-hard trail leads to the Chinyero volcano.

Safety, from the tourist board

Check the forecast, stay on marked trails, walk with others, wear suitable footwear and carry water, food, a phone, sunscreen, a hat and a waterproof layer. Temperatures change quickly with altitude, trails can be very slippery in the rainy season, and mobile coverage is patchy in places. Tell someone your route and plan around daylight hours. Some areas have access restrictions linked to mouflon population control, so obey the signs.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Turning up at the Barranco del Infierno without an online booking.
  • Wearing open shoes on the Teide cable car: the operator requires closed hiking or sports shoes and refuses heels, flat soles and beach shoes.
  • Assuming the Teide summit is included in the cable car ticket. It is not.
  • Starting a long walk late in the day without planning around daylight.

FAQ

Do I need a guide to hike in Tenerife?

No, except where a permit or booking is required. The tourist board lists marked GR, PR and SL trails for walkers on their own.

Do I need a permit for Teide?

For the crater rim path, yes. The tourist board says a special permit is requested through the national park reservation website.

When is the best time to hike in Tenerife?

The tourist board says Tenerife is suitable all year, with the main exception being occasional winter snow on high routes.

What do I bring?

Water, food, a phone, sunscreen, a hat, a waterproof layer and warm clothing, because temperatures change quickly with altitude.

The Tenerife Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.