Isla de Tenerife Off The Beaten Path

Either take a bus, or drive, to Lod Gigantes, and have a close-up look at these spectacular cliffs, supposedly 3 times the height of the White cliffs of Dover. They seem to rise out of nothing, and keep going to be shrouded by perpetual mist (at least, they were during our entire stay :p).
The biggest challenge is getting a good view of the cliffs - the harbour walls cut off a full view, and the beach has been closed for a while, due to falling rocks. We went a couple of streets up from the harbour and, at the end of the road, found a woonderful view. We then headed all the way to the top of the town - quite a walk! - and found a beautiful vista!

Only built in 1991, the road to Masca is long and winding, and not a little dangerous as well. But it's definitely worth the effort of getting there! It has to be one of the most beautiful, and dramatic, locations for any village i've ever been to. It looks like something out of "Pirates of the Carribean" :) The legends go that the villagers were pirates, preying on the cargo ships travelling through the Canaries - or that they simply traded with pirates in the area. Either way, the village is in such a secure spot no-one ever got there to catch them i guess!

The Masca walk is another great reason to visit here - we never did it ourselves, but it's supposedly a 4 hour hike down to the beach, where you get picked up in a boat and taken to Los Gigantes. The most popular walk on the island.

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Montana Roja is the eye-catching hill which lies at one end of El Medano beach in the south of Tenerife. Though it's only 171m high, Montana Roja's prominence amidst the flattish land in the area makes it stand out.

You could walk all the way along the beach from Medano to reach the hill, but if you don't have time for that there is a starting point from a car park just off the 643 road between El Medano and El Abrigo, which allows for a quicker ascent. From here it takes about 25 minutes to reach the summit.

This was our first climb/hike in Tenerife, and it proved a nice warm up for the greater challenges to come. From the summit there is a good view of Medano, the south coast, Tenerife South airport and, when the clouds disappear, Teide Volcano.

Hello Dear ,
I'm a fidel Tenerife guest, yes since 18 years we are there the months of april, may, june and back from half september untill end october.
If you realy want to find a wild (?) beach you will have to go to the northern part of the Island. In the surroundings of Taganana and Benijo you will find the sites you love. This are a serie of small beaches , mostly of pebles, where the see can be quit wild as this beaches are the loved once for the youngsters doing their beach surfing!!!! Here you have little tourist impact and picknic on the beach is without problem, even a small B.Q.. You have also small resto's where you can have a lunch, mostly frech fish, for little money.
Do you need more info?? You can contact me by private mail unther tenerifesucculents@hotmail.com
Greetings,
Albert

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If you want to do an easy, but interesting short walk, visit the Barranco del Infierno. The walk is approximately 3hrs return and takes you through this amazing gorge to a waterfall. The number of walkers per day is limited, so better arrive early. Latest admission into the gorge is 14.30h and there's an entrance fee of 3€.

Bus 417, 473 from Los Cristianos

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Both hills on the edges of the town are worth a climb for the views. Chayfoita is easily done in less than 1 hour and is only 150 odds metres high. Can be found walking around it's base from the town centre until you see the obvious footpath. Good soles on your shoes a must for coming back down. Good place for sunset pictures. If you are in teh east of the town it is easier to find walking parallel with the main road away from the bus station, 10 minute walk.

Mount Guaza should be considered a half day walk, it took us about 3hours to do and we are used to doing long uphill walks. The start is found down by the far east corner of the bay, the first part of the path zigzags up steep stony path. You will arrive at a plateau, where it is possible to just follow the level paths and see the views. But the real walk continues to the summit, up very steep but good paths until you reach the radio masts. The views from here are excellent. Take lots of water, wear sunshade and be careful there is no shade at all. Good views of Teide from here. Watch you ankles coming back down as the paths do have lots of loose stones. Find the nearest bar for a well earnt beer.

This is the name given to one of the dramatic and unusual rock formations formed by volcanic activity and erosion over the years. This particular formation is situated in an area of great beauty and stunning views that would remind you of the Grand Canyon.

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The little mountainside villages of Tenerife have a lot to offer in the way of beautiful buildings, and in particular some wonderful Churches.

We stopped off at the Church of Santiago del Teide and the rotund Parish Priest came to greet us. He tried to encourage us to sing in the church as the acoustics there are incredible. We were tempted, but didn't know any of the Hymns he wanted us to sing. There was a little bit of a language barrier, too, as he didn't have a word of English. I am told that he regularly joins his Parishioners to celebrate feasts in the Town Square, which adjoins the Church.

The Church is several hundred years old, though nobody seemed to know just how old. You will note the typical Canarian wooden balcony on the building.