Tenerife: Hiking Tour in Anaga Mountains & Enchanted Forest

Anaga’s appeal is its sudden change of scenery: you can start among cool, cloud-touched laurel trees, then find yourself on an exposed mountain path with the Atlantic far below. This seven-hour tour combines the forest, a cave village and a moderate hike of about 7 km, with guide Alex leading a small group.

I like two things in particular: hotel pickup and drop-off save you a long drive and route planning, and the walk pairs a water channel and forest trail with open mountain views. The picnic in a natural cave or on a hillside gives the day a welcome pause, too.

The main consideration is that moderate here still means a proper hike. Some sections are steep, narrow, slippery or close to a drop, so bring sturdy shoes and be honest with yourself about heights and fitness.

At a glance

• Anaga’s laurel forest: Walk through a cool, green forest on the way to the mountain trails.
• A water-channel route: The hike reaches remote parts of the park, with changing terrain and sea views.
• A cave village stop: Learn about island life and history in a place few people find on their own.
• A small group: The tour is limited to eight people, which makes it easier for the guide to keep the pace and offer help.
• A practical full-day package: Transfers, picnic, hiking gear and 20 to 40 photos or videos are included.
• A real physical outing: Plan for 3.5 to 4.5 hours on foot, about 7 km, and roughly 230 metres of elevation gain.

From southeast Tenerife to Anaga’s mountain air

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or apartment in the southeast coastal area. The service covers a broad stretch of the island, including Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, Callao Salvaje, Adeje, Costa Adeje, Las Americas, Los Cristianos, El Médano, Candelaria, Santa Cruz and La Laguna. You send your address after booking, then the operator confirms the pickup point and time.

That transfer is more than a convenience. Anaga is a long way from many southern resorts, and a rental car would leave you to navigate unfamiliar mountain roads before tackling a hike. Here, you can settle in for the drive and save your attention for the park.

The group is capped at eight. I like that size for a route with narrow or exposed sections: it allows the guide to keep people together and check in when someone needs a hand. The tour is offered in English, Ukrainian and Russian, so confirm that the language available on your date works for you.

La Jardina sets the scene

A first stop at the La Jardina viewpoint gives you a broad look across Tenerife. It is a useful orientation point before the day moves into the mountain park, and a chance to take photographs while the island’s scale comes into focus. Local food may also be available to taste here, although the included picnic comes later.

From there, the route continues through Anaga’s forest, with scenic stops along the way. The brief viewpoint pauses matter: the park is not one unbroken stretch of trees. You move between shaded woodland and open views, and the contrasts are part of what makes the drive worthwhile.

Expect weather to shift as the road climbs. One moment may feel cool and damp under the trees; later, a sunny hillside can feel much warmer. A jacket and lighter clothing are sensible, and you can adjust layers as the day unfolds.

A laurel forest with a different feel

Anaga’s laurel forest is a highlight for anyone who wants to see a side of Tenerife beyond the beaches and resort towns. The trees and dense greenery create a cooler, enclosed setting, quite different from the dry, sunny coast. The route passes through what the tour describes as an ancient laurel forest, a striking reminder of how varied the island can be within a relatively short drive.

The forest section is not just a scenic prelude. It sets up a useful contrast with the more open hike ahead. You may feel the temperature drop beneath the canopy, then emerge into brighter, breezier terrain with views across the mountains and ocean.

The drive includes stops for photos and scenery, but this is not a forest-only outing. If your main aim is a gentle stroll among trees, note that the longer mountain hike makes up a large part of the day. The tour is designed for people ready to walk, not simply to look from viewpoints.

A cave village and a glimpse of island life

The visit to a hidden cave village adds a human dimension to the scenery. Rather than treating Anaga as a beautiful backdrop, the stop gives you a chance to hear about the island’s past and how people made a home in this rugged region.

It is a short visit within a full day, so think of it as an introduction, not a lengthy museum-style stop. Its value is the context: after seeing the steep terrain and remote valleys, you can better understand why settlements here feel so distinct from Tenerife’s busy coastal towns.

The tour also includes a picnic in a natural cave or up on a hill. The exact picnic spot can vary, but either setting makes a simple meal feel part of the outing rather than a break in a restaurant. The included food is a sandwich with cheese and bacon, juice, dried fruit and nuts. Bring extra snacks if you know you will want more fuel after several hours on your feet.

The water channel leads into the hike

The main event is a guided hike of about 7 km, with around 230 metres of elevation gain. The route begins along a water channel and continues into some of the more remote parts of the Anaga Mountains. You should allow 3.5 to 4.5 hours for the walking portion, though the full tour lasts about seven hours including transport, stops and lunch.

The ground varies. This is not a smooth, level path from start to finish: some sections can be steep, narrow or slippery, and reports from the route describe paths close to a cliff edge. Tunnels may also feature on the hike. The setting is beautiful, but it asks you to watch your footing and stay focused.

The stated difficulty is moderate, but that label can mean different things to different people. If you walk regularly and are comfortable on uneven ground, the distance may feel manageable. If you rarely hike, have trouble with steep or slippery trails, or are uneasy near heights, this could feel more demanding than the word moderate suggests. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and it is specifically not recommended for people afraid of heights.

Alex is named as the guide, and the experience depends in part on his presence. He is described as energetic and humorous, with a strong knowledge of the area and a steady focus on safety. Several accounts describe him helping people through difficult sections, including offering a hand when the path felt exposed. That kind of support can make a challenging route feel more approachable, but it does not remove the need to be comfortable with the terrain.

The picnic is a pause, not the finish

After the first part of the walk, the group stops for a picnic of about 20 minutes. Depending on the day, you may eat in a natural cave or on a hillside with a view toward the ocean. The pause breaks up the hike and gives you a chance to rest, take photos and enjoy the setting without rushing straight to the next stretch.

The meal is practical rather than elaborate. A sandwich, juice, dried fruit and nuts provide a useful boost, but water is not included. Bring enough for the full day, plus snacks if you tend to get hungry on a long walk. There is no reason to expect a shop stop once the hike is underway.

After lunch, the route continues with another guided hiking section. This second part is a chance to see more of the park’s changing terrain and viewpoints, rather than retracing the day solely through the forest. Keep a little energy in reserve: the afternoon still involves walking, and the way back to the vehicle comes after the main outing, not instead of it.

What the $146 price buys you

At $146 per person, this is not a budget bus tour. The value rests on combining transport, a full guided hike, a small group, a picnic and a photo package in one day. You also avoid arranging a car and working out where to start, which matters if you are staying in the south and want to reach Anaga without driving yourself.

The tour includes flashlights, helmets and hiking sticks, along with pickup and drop-off from the listed southeast Tenerife areas. After the outing, you receive a link to download 20 to 40 photos or videos from the tour. That is a useful extra if you would rather focus on the walk than keep stopping to take pictures, though the package should be seen as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Value depends on what you want from Tenerife. If your holiday is centered on beaches and easy sightseeing, this may be a costly and strenuous change of pace. If you want a full day in the mountains, need transport, and would not be confident finding the route alone, the included services make the price easier to justify.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear proper sports shoes, ideally hiking footwear with grip. The route can be slippery, and several sections call for secure footing. A sun hat and sunscreen are useful on exposed stretches, while a jacket helps when the forest or changing weather feels cool. Pack water, since it is not provided, and bring any extra snacks you need.

The tour supplies hiking sticks, helmets and flashlights, but those items do not replace suitable shoes or a sensible assessment of your fitness. Keep your phone charged for photos and communication, and follow the guide’s instructions on narrow or exposed parts of the trail.

This is best for active adults and older children who are used to walking on uneven ground, though no specific age guidance is provided. Families should consider each person’s stamina and comfort with heights rather than judging suitability by distance alone. For cruise passengers spending a day in Santa Cruz, the tour is specifically suited to a port-day visit, but confirm the pickup and return timing against your ship’s schedule before booking.

Should you book the Anaga hike?

Book this if you want more than a viewpoint stop: you want to walk through laurel forest, reach mountain paths, see the Atlantic from above and let a guide handle transport and route-finding. The cave village and picnic add variety, while the small group and included photos make the day feel more personal and practical.

Skip it if you want an easy walk, dislike heights, need an accessible route or would rather set your own pace. The strongest reason to go is the combination of scenery and guided access to remote parts of Anaga. The strongest reason to hesitate is the terrain: the hike is moderate on paper, but steep, narrow and slippery sections can make it a serious outing. If that sounds like the kind of challenge you want, bring good shoes, plenty of water and a jacket, then give the mountains a full day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts about seven hours. The hiking portion takes roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

How far will I hike?

The hike is about 7 km, with approximately 230 metres of elevation gain.

What is included in the price?

Transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off from the southeast coastal area, a guided hike, a picnic, flashlights, helmets, hiking sticks and a package of 20 to 40 photos or videos are included.

Is water provided?

No. Bring your own water, along with any extra snacks you may need.

What food is served at the picnic?

The picnic includes a sandwich with cheese and bacon, juice, dried fruit and nuts.

What should I wear?

Bring sports shoes, a sun hat and a jacket. Sunscreen, water and extra snacks are also recommended.

Is the hike suitable for someone afraid of heights?

No. The tour is not suitable for people afraid of heights, and some trail sections are narrow, steep or close to a drop.

Which languages are offered, and how large is the group?

Guides speak English, Ukrainian and Russian. The group is limited to eight participants.