Hiking in El Teide is not just walking: it is listening to the silence, feeling the clean mountain air, and moving leisurely among volcanic landscapes and ancient pine forests.
From Hotel Spa Villalba, located in Vilaflor, at 1,500 meters above sea level, some of the most special trails in the National Park start practically at the door.
This article is a personal tour of three trails near Hotel Spa Villalba, designed to connect with nature and understand why Spa Villalba is the perfect base camp to discover Teide on foot.
Hiking in El Teide: walking to reconnect with nature.
The surroundings of Teide offer one of the best hiking experiences in Tenerife.
The altitude, stable climate, and well-marked trail network allow for enjoying routes that combine landscape, tranquility, and direct contact with nature.
From Vilaflor, access to the forest crown of Teide is immediate. There is no need for a car or long trips: just leave the hotel and let yourself be guided by the paths.
Trail 1: The GR-131 from Vilaflor, the path that starts next to the hotel.
The GR-131 trail is one of the main hiking routes in the Canary Islands and passes through Vilaflor, very close to Hotel Spa Villalba.
This section of the trail runs through Canarian pine trees, volcanic terrain, and open views towards the south of the island.
It is a route that invites you to walk leisurely, ideal for early hours of the morning, when the forest still holds silence and the light gently enters through the trees.
Perfect for people who like walking at a good pace, enjoying long and progressive routes, or for trail runners looking to train at altitude without significant technical gradients.
Practical tips for this route.
- Comfortable hiking shoes, even on easy sections.
- Plenty of water: the altitude is noticeable.
- Sun protection, even on cloudy days.
- Stop to observe: the landscape changes with every turn.
Trail 2: The Lunar Landscape, a route between volcanoes and silence.
The Lunar Landscape of Vilaflor (or Los Escurriales) is one of the most unique routes in the surroundings of Vilaflor. It is a geological formation of volcanic origin with conical fairy chimneys shapes, created by the differential erosion of wind and water on deposits of white pumice stone and ashes.
The route crosses these volcanic formations eroded by time, creating an almost unreal landscape of light tones and soft shapes.
Walking here is done in silence and with the constant contrast between pine forest and volcanic rock.
It is one of the most recommended routes for those seeking a visual and emotional experience, rather than a physical challenge.
Ideal for people who enjoy moderate level walks, landscape photography lovers, or hikers seeking a visual and emotional experience rather than a physical challenge.
When to walk it and what to bring with you.
- Best in the morning or late afternoon.
- Layered clothing: temperature changes are common.
- Camera or phone: the landscape is especially photogenic.
Trail 3: The Sombrerito de Chasna, a circular route with its own identity.
The Sombrerito de Chasna Trail is one of the most characteristic routes of Vilaflor.
It is a circular route that crosses traditional paths, pine forest areas, and volcanic landscapes, offering a very authentic view of the rural and natural environment of the area.
The route allows you to connect with the landscape closely, alternating gentle sections with somewhat more demanding ones, always surrounded by nature and with views that remind of the uniqueness of this mountain municipality.
Perfect for regular hikers looking for a route with local identity, for those who enjoy combining walking and observing the environment, or for trail runners who want a varied route in the forest crown.
Gentle routes for walking, breathing, and observing.
These trails are ideal for:
- Morning walks.
- Couples’ walks or at a leisurely pace.
Here, hiking becomes a form of moving meditation.
For more information, check the official hiking trails website of Tenerife.
Spa Villalba: your base camp to discover El Teide on foot.
After a day of hiking, returning to Hotel Spa Villalba is returning to balance.
The hotel’s location allows you to plan routes every day without long commutes, with the comfort of knowing that rest awaits at the end of the path.
Spa Villalba is not just accommodation: it is a mountain refuge, designed for those who see nature as part of their well-being.
After the trail: rest, spa, and local cuisine.
Nothing complements a hike in Teide better than a spa session, a relaxing massage, or a tranquil dinner at Restaurante La Vendimia, where local cuisine and local products replenish energy to the body.
Walk, rest, eat well, and sleep deeply.
This is how you experience Teide from Spa Villalba: without hurry, with purpose, and in connection with the surroundings.
