11-Day Self-Guided Canary Islands Walking Tour

Arrive at Tenerife South Airport and transfer to the mountain village of Vilaflor, where you’ll spend three nights at a welcoming hotel with a garden and swimming pool.

After a short 10-minute transfer, begin an intriguing hike through the surreal “Paisaje Lunar” north of Vilaflor, following well-marked tracks and paths. Walk through fragrant pine forests with striking views over unusual volcanic rock formations and southern Tenerife, before returning on foot to your hotel.

This morning, transfer to the Parador at El Teide. Enjoy a 2-hour circular walk around Roques de García near the Parador or opt to be dropped at the cable car for a short walk (max 1 hour) near the 3,500m summit before hiking 1.5 hours back to the Parador. In the afternoon, return by taxi to Vilaflor.

After an early breakfast, enjoy a 30-minute private transfer to Los Cristianos Harbour to catch the first ferry to San Sebastián de la Gomera. On arrival, a taxi takes you to El Contadero, a remote crossroads high in Garajonay National Park. From here, set off on a 4.5-hour walk down to Hermigua. The first 2.5 hours follow wide footpaths descending gently through magical laurel forest. Near El Cedro, a short, steep section on a stony stepped path leads you onto quiet inland roads, continuing to your charming rural hotel in Hermigua.

Please note: Ferry schedules may vary during the season and are subject to request. If you prefer a later ferry for a rest morning, let us know at the time of booking.

Enjoy a circular walk heading north toward Hermigua, passing an abandoned village along the dramatic coastline. Take in spectacular views of Tenerife and the peak of El Teide as you alternate between wide dirt tracks and stony footpaths, all well-marked and protected by wooden railings on exposed sections. The final stretch leads through lush papaya and mango fields in the valley.

This morning, transfer to the Garajonay Visitors’ Centre at Juego de Bolas, where you can admire tropical plants in the botanical garden. From here, follow an easy section of the long-distance GR-132 trail toward Vallehermoso. Pass the striking Natural Monuments of Roque Blanco and Roque Cano before descending into the lush valley of Vallehermoso. After a refreshing drink in the village square, transfer back to your hotel in Hermigua.

Transfer to Degollada de la Peraza for an easy yet rewarding panoramic descent. Follow the GR-131 for 4 to 4.5 hours to San Sebastián, then catch the late afternoon ferry to La Palma. On arrival, stay at a friendly hotel in the historic centre of Santa Cruz.

Early this morning, a taxi transfer takes you to one of the Canary Islands’ iconic cloud forests: El Cubo de la Galga. Begin on wide forest paths before continuing along paved and unpaved country roads as you descend toward the coast, passing plantations of the Canarian banana, the plátano. You can choose to finish the walk after 7 km or 11.7 km at a bus stop and take the local guagua (public bus) back to Santa Cruz de La Palma.

After a 45-minute transfer to La Cumbrecita, set out on a stunning hike to the summit of Pico Bejenado (1,854 m). The challenging ascent rewards you with sweeping views over La Caldera de Taburiente, Los Llanos de Aridane, and the island’s eastern slopes—under the watchful eye of Mount Teide rising from neighbouring Tenerife.

The long descent follows shady forest paths, with the final 2 km along a quiet tarmac road to the National Park Visitor Centre in El Paso, where you catch the bus back to Santa Cruz.

On your final day, hike one of the island’s classics: the Ruta de los Volcanes, from the hermitage of Virgen del Pilar to Los Canarios (Fuencaliente). Reopened after the September 2021 eruption at Cumbre Vieja, the trail is now even more striking—showcasing the powerful forces that shaped the landscape and continue to impact island life. If the full route feels too long or challenging, you can ask the taxi driver to take you to Los Canarios and walk only the final section toward the Fuencaliente Lighthouse (supplement payable locally). In both cases, return by public bus in the afternoon to Santa Cruz, where your luggage awaits at the hotel.

Travel back to Tenerife by ferry. On arrival at Los Cristianos Harbour, a taxi will be waiting to transfer you to Tenerife South Airport, where your Canary Island-hopping adventure comes to an end.