Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, boasts an abundance of beautiful nature. Especially, Mount Teide national park is a real gem that attracts hiking and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. On a cloudy day, we decided to visit Mount Teide and admire its beauty. Even on cloudy days, there is a large chance that Mount Teide will be sunny as you will find for example the Roques de Garcia Trail at 2021 meters above sea level. One of the most remarkable hikes to be found in Mount Teide National Park is the Roques de Garcia Trail, which offers a picturesque hike through the amazing volcanic landscapes. The hike can easily be combined with another shorter hike, such as the Samara Loop hike, on your day trip to Mount Teide. In this blog post, I’ll show you the beauty of this trail, discuss some practicalities and tell you everything you need to know.
Where to stay near Mount Teide: Our base in Tenerife was the Royal Sun in Los Gigantes. However, if you want to stay closer to the Teide National Park, there are multiple options. Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide is the only hotel which is located in the National Park, and this place is located right near the start of the Roques de Garcia trail. Another place close to Teide Park is Vilaflor, where you can stay at for example Hotel El Tejar & Spa,
Your hike starts from the parking lot and I would advise you to go counter clock-wise (this is also the direction most visitors take). You will start on a relatively flat road which will go around the famous Roques de Garcia. Solely the end of the hike is slightly more challenging as you have to climb up a pretty steep path, ascending 100 meters.
During your hike, you’ll start and finish by admiring the iconic Los Roques formations, which are gigantic volcanic rocks that have been created by many years of erosion. Furthermore, throughout the beginning of the hike, you are provided with mesmerizing viewpoints overlooking Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain.
The trail is very easy to find and follow. Throughout the entire hike, you will follow path number 3 which takes you around the Roques de Garcias and towards the Cathedral. Don’t expect a little church here, La Cathedral is another rock formation.
The best time to visit the Roques de Garcia is during spring or autumn (so March to May and September to November) when the temperatures are mild. However, the Roques de Garcia Trail is open all round.
I would advise you to wear good shoes, preferably hiking shoes, but sneakers will do. Especially the steep last ascend will be way easier in good footwear. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses, as the Roques de Garcia trail can be higher than the clouds, which rewards you with strong sunshine. Needless to say, is that this also affects your clothing. As mountains can be unpredictable, always take some layers with you.
