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Secrets of Tenerife Walk

SECRETS OF TENERIFE - DAY BY DAY

**** San Roque Hotel, Garachico

Day 1   Arrive in Tenerife

We meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel (75mins) in time for dinner
Day 2   El Volcan Negro 12km/7.5mi/5hr

A short drive brings us to Arenas Negras (black sands), where the fresh air smells of pine resin on our ascent to spectacular El Volcan Negro – a jet-black hill of carbon - framed by vivid yellow Teide broom, azure blue skies and scarlet poppies. With ocean views we continue past coal black Montana de Chinyero, before relaxing with a picnic in the pine trees. Then through giant flows of solid lava offering perfect views of Mount Teide, before returning to the hotel for dinner .

Day 3   Degollada de la Mesa Ridge Walk  9km/6mi/4hr

Ascending past small lakes bright with butterflies we reach ancient, rare and intensely atmospheric laurel forest. Then into sunlight once more, to begin an unforgettable ridge walk along a series of basalt peaks, offering stunning viewpoints of the jagged Masca Gorge, the island of La Gomera, and a patchwork quilt of fields and terraces in the valley below.

Day 4   Las Cañadas and Mount Teide 11km/7mi/4hr

Much of Tenerife’s appeal lies in its soaring volcanic cliffs, snow capped Mount Teide and fertile valleys abundant with cork and splashes of yellow mimosa. Today’s circular - and almost entirely flat - walk takes in all such highlights as we skirt the Caldera of Mount Teide - at 7000ft it’s the second largest in the world. A mecca for geologists - look out for lava flows in vividly contrasting colours, pummice and obsidian. Back to the hotel in time for a swim before dinner .

Day 5   Free day

In the morning perhaps explore the lava rock pools and narrow streets of Garachico, with its 16C churches with beautiful vaulted ceilings. Lunch in the pretty square then back to the hotel to laze by the pool -you’re on holiday after all!

Day 6   Masca Ridge Walk  9km/6mi/5hr

Today’s walk takes you along old shepherds’ routes and up through rolling hills to the Masca Ridge (1000m) where you will be rewarded with lovely clear views out across the Atlantic towards La Gomera. We picnic on the headland - 360 degree views of the ocean and snow-capped Teide - then descend passing abandoned farmsteads to the pretty village of Masca. Time for a refreshing drink in the palm shaded square before heading back to the hotel.

Day 7   Baracan Ridge Walk  12km/7.5mi/6hr

From the El Palmar valley, we follow shady forest paths with tantalizing glimpses of ocean to the hamlet of Teno Alto. After a picnic by the tiny church and sampling village goats cheese from the local bar , we pass swaying terraces of golden barley and remote homesteads as we descend barrancos thick with vivid yellow flowering cacti. It’s then a gentle ascent up onto the ridge where we round off our walking week with stunning 360 degree views out across the Atlantic to La Gomera, Mt Teide framing the horizon.

Day 8  Return home

WALKING DETAILS

This is a 2 boot guided holiday walking mainly on well marked paths and trails. You should be a sure footed walker . Some of the ridge walks may be difficult for extreme vertigo sufferers.