This hike might just be the most beautiful in Teno, and I wonder if it makes it into my “TOP 5” hikes of Tenerife… Well, I don’t really rank my hikes, but this is to emphasize how incredibly beautiful the landscapes on this route are!
It all starts in El Palmar, set in a volcanic agricultural basin bathed in soft light. Everything is green, even the crater sides. The path ventures between fields before steeply climbing towards a gap in the ridge ahead. The view looking back could already justify the hike, with Teide still slightly crowned with snow.
What follows is equally impressive, with a trail that offers panoramic views as it winds between Teno’s hills, leading to the charming hamlet of Teno Alto. With a few bars and restaurants, a local produce shop, and not many houses, it feels like paradise here. I planned for my hike to combine several routes, or at least to approach other points in the area that interest me.
So, I venture north of Teno Alto, heading towards the “Risco trail.” The path takes me amidst bare hills that stretch towards the ocean. Volcanic rocks sporadically dot the landscape, adding fantastic color touches. I reach the end of the Risco trail, which is an incredible steep climb up to Teno Alto. I’ll have to do it someday!
For now, I continue further north, towards the cliff’s edge. A small “roque” (rock formation) stands there, overlooking the entire Teno plain. I hesitate to climb it as it looks steep, but it’s actually manageable, and with a bit of hand support, you reach the top with a stunning 360° panorama!
After a lunch break, I head back to Teno Alto village and take a trail through Teno’s characteristic foliage, reminiscent of my hike at Risco Verde a few days ago. The forest quickly gives way, leading to the southern side of the ridges. This is the Baracan trail, leading to the local peak and its ridges. The views are panoramic.
On one side, you see Teno’s lower areas with its rugged cliffs and barrancos, with La Gomera in the background. On the other, you’d spot Teide (though it’s hidden in the clouds, it’s still striking!) and its foothills. The trail gradually leads to Baracan, whose summit is more eroded and bare than its surroundings.
I climb it for a snack, joined by a few hikers. The view is slightly clearer than on the ridge and is worth the detour, offering beautiful northern views. After a while, I leave, completing my loop that takes me along the ridge to the Baracan viewpoint, crowded with tourists, and then back down to the basin of El Palmar.
What a hike, truly! I’ll need to return to this area; there are surely some side trails for variations, while still traversing these magnificent ridges and revisiting the imposing Risco cliff…!
Photos from the hike in Teno Alto:
