Activities in the Canary Islands: hiking, canyoning, surfing

There are places that are not just surprising - they fascinate, make your heart beat faster and blur the line between reality and illusion. Teide Volcano (3715 m)... The highest point in all of Spain.... Extraterrestrial fantastic landscapes, frozen lava rivers, red and black craters that resemble another planet. The sun slowly rises over the Atlantic Ocean and you realize that this is not a dream, but a real vacation. The Canary Islands are a place where adventures begin with the first step on volcanic ash, the first dive into an ocean wave, and the first breath of fresh Atlantic breeze.

Here, in the Canary Islands, the climate is perfect all year round! Wild beaches, majestic cliffs, adrenaline and freedom of movement. What more do you need for happiness!

The most interesting places in the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands is a place where you can live on contrasts: one day you climb a volcano, the next you surf the waves, then you go to the rain forests or walk in the desert. The weather is always good, the scenery is beautiful, and there are steep trails for outdoor activities. If you dream of a tour that would be remembered forever, catch the list of places worth seeing with your own eyes!

And let's start, of course, with the island of Tenerife! The largest and most popular island of the Canary Islands. What awaits you here?

• Teide volcano - climbing it is probably exactly like being on Mars, honestly! Stone lava formations of bizarre shapes, red-brown craters; the place looks like you're in another reality. And when the fog rises above the ground, it seems that you are flying over another galaxy. No wonder, scenes for A Million Years BC, Star Wars, and The Bourne Identity were filmed here. The height of Teide is 3715 meters, and it is the highest point in Spain, the entire Canary Islands, and the Atlantic. The height of Teide is more than 7000 meters, if you count from the bottom of the ocean. When you come up here at dawn or dusk, you can see the longest shadow in the world on the water surface, about 200 km! Every evening, the shadow from Teide reaches the neighboring island of Gran Canaria and covers it.
• The Anaga Forest is a real fairy tale. Here, time seems to have stopped millions of years ago. The local magical trees are covered with a thick layer of moss, the branches intertwine like fantastic creatures, and the humid wind brings the smell of earth, rain, ocean, fresh leaves and flowers. The sun's rays break through the thick fog, creating an atmosphere like in a science fiction movie. Locals say that Anaga is a forest that breathes. The real heart of Tenerife is just the perfect place for hiking enthusiasts.
• The Los Gigantes cliffs are one of the main natural landmarks of the Canary Islands, which is definitely worth seeing at least once in your life! It is here that a grandiose wall of rocks rises to a height of 600 meters directly from the depths of the ocean. It is also home to one of the most beautiful black volcanic beaches in Tenerife. The sand here is dark, soft and contrasts with the turquoise water, and the giant rocks, like titans, create a sense of grandeur and beauty. And what sunsets are here! Sinking into the ocean, they leave traces of red gold in the sky and water. It's beautiful!

The island of Gran Canaria is called a "continent in miniature". The fact is that the island is famous for its incredible diversity of landscapes and climate change depending on the region - the south is warm and dry, and the north is humid and green. Of course, how can we not mention the local Maspalomas Dunes - the "little Sahara"! In this place, you can get lost in the endless waves of sand, feeling harmony with nature and enjoying a moment of absolute freedom. Among the sandy kingdom is a real oasis - the La Charca lagoon, where you can see herons and rare species of birds. This place is a real natural contrast where wild desert meets life.

The island of La Palma is known as "La Isla Bonita" (Beautiful Island or Green Island). The Roque de Los Muchachos Astronomical Observatory is located on this territory. By the way, it has one of the clearest starry skies in the world (only Atacama is better). How can we not mention the Caldera de Taburiente - a place where mountain peaks rise above the sea of clouds, where streams cut through dense forests, and the sky sparkles with thousands of stars at night. It is one of the most magnificent natural phenomena in the Canary Islands and the heart of the island of La Palma. This gigantic volcanic crater with a diameter of 10 km and a depth of more than 1.5 km makes you feel as if you are in a lost valley of dinosaurs. Here, nature reigns in its pristine beauty, giving the most vivid emotions to anyone who dares to look into its mysterious depths.

The island of La Gomera is a mysterious pearl of the Canary Islands, a world without fuss. It is dominated by the ancient laurel forests of the Garajonay National Park, mountain villages, terraced fields, and the unique language of "whistling" that the locals still speak. This is a place for true seekers of tranquility and nature.

Lanzarote is an island of volcanoes and vineyards. A place where solid magma has frozen in incredible forms. In the Timanfaya National Park, you will find geysers bursting out of the earth, and in the vineyards of La Heria it is quite possible to taste wine grown directly on volcanic ash. Here, a must-have before visiting Cueva de los Verdes. It's not just a cave, it's a real portal to the world of volcanic wonders, where darkness hides incredible secrets. Narrow tunnels, giant halls, fantastic light shimmering and the biggest secret that will make you freeze in amazement. Are you ready to discover this mysterious world?

El Hierro Island is a diver's paradise, as the underwater world here is one of the best in the world. Crystal clear water, volcanic reefs, mysterious caves and rare marine creatures - the ocean hides real treasures here! It was here, in a place called Punta de Orchilla, that the zero meridian was located before it was moved to Greenwich. That's why people believed that El Hierro was the end of the world.

The island of Fuerteventura is one of the oldest in the Canary Islands, but tourism has only recently begun to develop here. The constant winds and clear waters of the Atlantic create excellent conditions for windsurfing on the island. Fuerteventura has minimal buildings, so it is easy to find secluded places for relaxation.

La Graciosa is the smallest and newest officially recognized inhabited island in the Canary Islands (it received the status in 2018). La Graciosa is an island with wild beaches, golden dunes and a complete lack of asphalt roads. This is a place for real solitude, as you can enjoy the natural beauty without crowds of tourists. The island is located near Lanzarote and is easily accessible by ferry.

Tenerife Island - the center of tourism in the Canary Islands

The largest island of the Canary Islands is definitely a real center of adventure and relaxation, where everyone will definitely find something for themselves. This beautiful island is ready to give a whole necklace of emotional gifts! A 7-day hiking tour of Tenerife in lodges will begin with an amazing journey through the famous Masca Gorge... they say that it was here that pirates hid their treasures 😉

The majestic Las Cañadas Caldera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awaits you as a unique geological landscape on the planet. This gigantic volcanic valley, stretching 16 km long and 11 km wide, was formed as a result of the gradual erosion of a once-grand volcano. By the way, it existed here hundreds of thousands of years ago.

In such an atmosphere, over a cup of coffee, you will listen to a lecture on volcanology and how the Earth was born. And those who want even more impressions will climb the third highest peak of the island - Mount Guajara (2718 m). From here, you will have a stunning view of the Teide volcano - an ideal place for incredible photos.

Day four will include a short hike to the second highest peak, the Pico Viejo volcano (3135 meters). Its main feature is an amazing crater with a diameter of 720 meters, into which you can look and feel the power of this natural element. Using the cable car, you will reach the pre-summit zone, where you will admire the Teide cone up close. Then, exploring the area around the Arenas Negras volcano, you will see a real story under your feet - black volcanic ash that keeps the traces of a past catastrophe.

This mountain hike is of a low level of difficulty (as it combines a partial car tour). The daily hiking will be from 3-10 km. The route is quite flexible - it can be adapted according to the capabilities and wishes of the group: make it even easier or add some challenges. Our experienced team leader will help you find the right balance. You will travel in comfort - overnight stays are provided only in cozy houses with all amenities, without the need to sleep in tents.

Speaking of hiking in Tenerife and climbing Teide, this route will begin with a fascinating warm-up route "Skywalk Trail" - a narrow, extremely picturesque path that stretches along rocky cliffs above the endless ocean.

Then you will follow a 7-kilometer route with a gradual increase in altitude, which will lead to a unique place known as the "Moon View". It was here that one of the scenes of the iconic Star Wars movies was filmed. The cherry on top will be an atmospheric overnight stay in tents among the mountains.

Of course, how can we do without the already mentioned main character, the Teide volcano! In clear weather, you will meet the sunrise with KULUAR at the top, which will offer a 360-degree panorama of the entire western part of the Atlantic island region. As always, we guarantee wow photos! And when the sun rises higher, we will walk around the crater.

Please note that to participate in this tour, you should be confident in your body's endurance and not have serious problems with the cardiovascular system. The daily hiking will be 7-15 km, and the altitude differences will be 600-1700 meters.

How can you live without surfing! Here, fans of ocean waves will definitely find tasty spots 😉 Wind, warm water and stable surf create ideal conditions for this sport all year round. The best places include:

• El Medano is a small town in the south of Tenerife, famous for its excellent surfing conditions. The beach is accompanied by a stable wind, and the constant waves are ideal for beginners. By the way, the sandy bottom makes it safe and easy to learn.
• Playa de las Americas - offers excellent conditions for beginner surfers. The beach is wide and spacious, and the waves are gentle and steady, making it a suitable place for both learning and practicing. Here you will also find several surf schools that offer lessons and equipment rental.
• Puerto de la Cruz is a beautiful town located in the north of Tenerife, and it also offers excellent surfing conditions. The local small beach of Martianes is surfed mostly by locals, as it is located right in Puerto de la Cruz.
• Playa Benijo is a breathtaking beach located behind a mountain range on the North Coast. Known for its natural beauty, it will give you picturesque views of the Anaga cliffs. The isolation of the beach gives you the opportunity to retire and disconnect from the bustle of the city.

And what's next? And further along the route, the northeastern part of the island - Anaga Park - is just a fantastic place for trekking. You will go on a steep hike around Mount Taborno, one of the main symbols of Anaga, which has long been considered a "place of power". Its majestic silhouette and magnificent panoramas of the ocean from the steep slopes will leave an unforgettable impression! See for yourself!

Connoisseurs of geology and history of the Earth will definitely appreciate the Cave of the Winds (Cueva del Viento) - the largest "lava tube" in Europe and one of the longest in the world.

Trekking and car routes in the Canaries with the Kuluar

The hiking tour in Tenerife from KULUAR combines a car tour and radial hikes, because we took care of your comfort in advance! By the way, the level of the mountain tour is not difficult, but picturesque, so it will be just right for both beginners and experienced hikers. Comfortable lodges for overnight stay are equipped with all the benefits of civilization, which will allow you to relax to the fullest. And the program is waiting for you. The route is author's, it was made so that you could immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the island, its diverse nature, cuisine... Believe me, you will appreciate the advantages of this "small continent".

If you want more drive, then go canyoning and hiking on Teide! Mountain trekking with tents through 28 microclimates? Astrophotography, the clearest starry sky of a volcanic caldera, the ocean and fresh fish - and this is just the beginning of this exciting tour with KULUAR.

The Canary Islands really energize, expand the boundaries of the possible and leave you thirsty for new discoveries. If you dream of a vacation where every day is an adventure, every landscape is a work of art, and every moment is a chance to experience life to the fullest, welcome!