TENERIFE IS TRAIL RUNNING

ALL YEAR ROUND

Tenerife is much more than sun and beach, is the paradise for the practice of trail running and that is thanks to having in very few kilometers of distance, altitude, magical paths, varied terrains and a fabulous climate for this sport. It is definitely a perfect place to train at any time of the year.

For your enjoyment, we present two beautiful short distance routes that will take you to know two different areas of the island.

LOGO OTR

In addition, thanks to the technology of the Open Trail Races app, all routes can be done at any time in competitive mode. This application will automatically validate that you have completed the tour entirety and will classify you in the official ranking. Surely that will give your training a plus if what you are looking for a quality training.

Tenerife tourism website

SHORT DISTANCE TRAIL RUNNING ROUTES IN TENERIFE

CRUZ DEL CARMEN – EL BATÁN

Total distance: 11 km

Elevation gain: 800 m.

Start and finish point: Cruz del Carmen

Min. height: 350 m.

Max. height: 980 m.

Description of the route

CRUZ DEL CARMEN – EL BATÁN

General data:

  • Kilometers: 11.10 km
  • Total difference in altitude: 1600 meters accumulated
  • Elevation gain: 800m
  • Elevation loss: 800m
  • Maximum altitude: 980m
  • Minimum altitude: 350m
  • Type: circular tour
  • Difficulty: low (for mountain runners)
  • Starting point: Cruz Del Carmen
  • Coordinates: 28.531298875239514, -16.279961191270363)
  • Places we visit: Cruz del Carmen, Solis, Bejía, Batán, Lomo los Dragos, Las Hiedras.
  • Temperatures: in winter they are not very low, they may drop below 10 degrees on a specific day.
  • High in summer if there is hot air (in the lower parts it can exceed 30 degrees)
  • Water points: at km 6.2

Material:

  • Footwear and clothing suitable for mountain running
  • Windstopper if there is some cold in the upper part (starting point)
  • 1 liter of water
  • Some food
  • Mobile

Description of the route:

Small route through the westernmost environment of the Anaga Rural Park. Small in length but great in diversity, totally full of contrasts. In these 11 kilometers we can discover everything that the park offers us, let’s say it is a small summary of the entire Anaga area.

The first part runs through the upper part of this Anaga massif. Laurisilva vegetation very lush, humid and green. There are many days of the year when the area is wet, and on these occasions it is even more beautiful because the green color of the vegetation stands out. On the other hand, in the lower parts, the vegetation is low and offers us views of the landscapes of the area.

It is a route with some roads, flat trails and other technical ones. Where we will also find those “death” rises that make us strive but at the same time enjoy our sport.

We will enjoy great views of the area, where it is highly recommended to take photos: in the first part of the descent to Bejía, the upper part of Bejía and the upper part of the Lomo de Los Dragos ascent.

Tour details:

KM 0 – We start at the La Cruz del Carmen car parks, cross the road and take the path to the left of the bar. We follow the path in the same direction.

KM 1 – We will find a crossroads, which we should not take, we must continue straight on the wide road. Right there is the old forest house in the area (to the left of the road)

KM 1.8 – We will come out onto the road, at this site we have to follow the path that runs parallel (to the right). Further on, the path crosses the road three times.

KM 2.4 – After having crossed the road three times we will find ourselves in an esplanade, we take the wide path on the right.

KM 3.5 – We arrive at the Solis Trail, we will continue to the right, a little further on we will be on an esplanade, at this site we must take the path to the right. It is flat in the beginning and then it begins to descend. Next we will see the ruins of the Casa de Franco. From here the trail is technical for 1 kilometer. From this point we have beautiful views to the front.

KM 4.7 – We come to a trail junction and continue to the right.

KM 5.1 – First houses of the Bejia village, from here the path runs inside this village (always in an upward direction). You come to the road, we continue to the right upwards for 200m, where we must turn left to follow the concrete path, then to the right along the steps. We follow the PR marks.

KM 5.7 – Again we come out onto the road, we continue to the right, going up, 100 meters further on we take the path on the left (“El Batán” road). The climb ends at the cutthroat and we begin to descend towards El Batán. From this high point we have beautiful views to the front.

KM 6.2 – After starting the descent, on the right hand side we have a water point where we can rest a little and replenish water (it is on a left turn and you must be careful to see it). Further on, the path runs past the houses of El Batán de Abajo. We continue going down between the houses and we arrive at the hermitage and the square. In front we will see some steps that go down, that way we must follow the path that goes down to the bottom of the ravine (at an altitude of 350m). We will be crossing a rural area with several plots of crops and fruit trees.

KM 7 – Bottom of the Barranco. Here you have to be attentive since the way up begins between two old houses. It gives the impression that there is no road but a private entrance. We begin the climb up the Lomo de Los Dragos. The first part is very steep and full of steps. Halfway along the way we will see that there is a natural viewpoint, with a small esplanade on the right, where we can stop for a moment to contemplate the valley and take some photos of the landscape.

KM 8.1 – We arrive at the Los Dragos track, a cement road, we must follow a little more than 1 km.

KM 9.1 – On the left the ascent to the Las Hiedras track begins (be careful because it is a sharp turn) The first part is along a wide concrete path, but then it is ends and begins a trail. Little by little we will not go into a very lush laurel forest (green and humid throughout the year).

KM 9.7 – The ascent path ends and we arrive at the Las Hiedras trail. We continue along the track to the left.

KM 10.1 – Approximately 400 meters along the track we will see that there is a path that crosses the track, we must follow the ascending path.

KM 11.1 – END. We have reached the starting point.

Environment:

La Cruz del Carmen is an old crossroads located at 920 m. in the Anaga massif, within the Anaga rural park in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It connected the hamlets of the highlands of Anaga with La Laguna. Meeting point and starting point for different routes, there is a viewpoint built in 1934. From this viewpoint you can see the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Mount Teide and part of the eastern part of the island. Next to the car parks is the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Carmen and the Anaga Visitor Center (inaugurated in 1995)

Caserío de Bejía and El Batán. Small settlements of populations in the area, houses scattered on the slopes of the valleys. As well as small plots of crops.

Recommendations:

Very popular place on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. From 9:30 or 10:00 it will be difficult to park (you will have to park far away)
You can visit the visitor center that is in the parking area.
Approach the viewpoint at the end of the car parks (you can see the city of La Laguna and in the background Las Cañadas and El Teide)

How to get there?

  • Private vehicle.
  • Public transport. From the bus / bus station of La Laguna (Intercambiador de La Laguna) there are several lines that stop in La Cruz del Carmen: 076, 077, 273 and 275 (with different schedules)

https://titsa.com/index.php/tus-guaguas/lineas-y-horarios/linea-076
https://titsa.com/index.php/tus-guaguas/lineas-y-horarios/linea-077
https://titsa.com/index.php/tus-guaguas/lineas-y-horarios/linea-273
https://titsa.com/index.php/tus-guaguas/lineas-y-horarios/linea-275

ARENAS NEGRAS – CHINYERO

Total distance: 12 km

Elevation gain: 430 m.

Start and finish point: Area recreativa de Arenas Negras

Min. height: 1230 m.

Max. height: 1540 m.

Description of the route

ARENAS NEGRAS – CHINYERO

General data:

  • Kilometers: 12 km
  • Total difference in altitude: 860m
  • Elevation gain: 430m
  • Elevation loss: 430m
  • Maximum altitude: 1,540m
  • Minimum altitude: 1,230m
  • Type: circular tour
  • Difficulty: low (for mountain runners)
  • Starting point: Arenas Negras Recreational Area
  • Coordinates: 28.3198834, -16.7570377
  • Places we visit: Arenas Negras, Chinyero Volcano
  • Temperatures: maybe some day very cold minus 5º in the upper part.
  • Water points: none.

Material:

  • Footwear and clothing suitable for mountain running.
  • Jacket / Windbreaker if it’s a bit cold or it might rain
  • Cap and / or sunglasses if the weather is uncovered.
  • 1 liter of water
  • Some food
  • Mobile

Description of the route:

Ideal route for runners looking for short and fast routes, either because they want to train for a short time or because they are just starting out in the sport.

El Chinyero is a unique and very beautiful place at the same time, which is worth visiting because it is within those most charming corners of Tenerife. You will start in a pine forest to climb and run over the black lava flows from the last eruption of the island of Tenerife. A place of black, stony and unique color, which makes it special and beautiful, you will surely like it and if you are from abroad you will never have stepped on the same terrain.

Description of the route:

NOTES:

  1. If you do not want to do the stretch of forest track by car to reach the recreational area, you can start the tour from the area of ​​La Montañeta (Church of San Francisco), from here follow the path PR 43 upward for 2.6 kilometers.
  2. If you come from the south of Tenerife, another option to start is from the upper part, from the TF-38 road, kilometer point 14.9, there is a dirt road that you can follow for 400m and it will take you to PR 43.

KM 0 – We start the journey leaving from the parking lot of the recreational area, 1,240m above sea level, we follow the indications of the PR that surrounds the area of ​​the tables, it initially runs along the forest track that ascends slightly, leaving the recreational area on the right.

KM 0.4 – Leave the track and take the PR trail to the right.

KM 1.1 – You arrive at a crossroads of trails, you must continue straight ahead, towards Chinyero (add that the path on the right will be where you will return).

KM 1.2 – The path crosses a path, continue along the PR (towards Chinyero).

KM 2.1 – Again a crossroads of trails, you must continue ascending the one on the left (towards Chinyero).

KM 2.6 – Crossing trails, continue straight ahead or left (towards Chinyero). From here you must follow the PR that will go up and then descend little by little, making a curvature to the right while you are making the circular (you will see that the volcano del Chinyero is always on your right). You will find a wide road junction, but you should always follow the PR signs.

KM 4.9 – You will have reached the highest point of this route, now the path will descend little by little.

KM 6.4 – The path leads to a wide path, at this point the PR divides in two directions, you must follow “Circular Chinyero”, to the right, continue along the wide dirt path for 500m.

KM 6.9 – Another point where the PR can take two roads, you must leave the wide road and continue along the path on the right, indications “Circular Chinyero”. Now you have to step on the most special and attractive area of ​​this route, you will step on the solidified lava without vegetation. A black and stony area that you will like a lot.

KM 8.1 – You arrive at a point that you have passed on the ascent (coincides with kilometer 2.6). Follow the indications of “Arenas Negras”

KM 8.6 – At the crossroads we take the path on the left with the indications “San José de Los LLanos”. This crossing coincides with the 2.1 ascent, now you will not go where you have climbed, but we will make a detour to the left to see another cool place. Follow the PR for 1.3 kilometers. If you want to go to the starting area, take the direction “Arenas Negras”

KM 9.9 – You come to a wide path, the PR continues straight ahead, but you must take the wide path to the right. Enjoy this area of ​​black sand without vegetation, if you are from outside, surely you have not stepped on terrain like this.

KM 11 – Crossing of trails, you must continue along the PR on the left, it is where you have initially climbed, it coincides with point 1.1 of the ascent.

KM 12.2 – END.

Environment:

Chinyero volcano is a volcano of 1,561 meters of altitude located on the Abeque ridge, near El Teide and belonging to the municipality of Santiago del Teide. Chinyero has the honor of having been the last volcano to erupt in Tenerife. And not relatively long ago. In 1909 it was throwing lava continuously for 10 days. The environment is of a particular beauty since there is hardly any vegetation and it is formed by solidified lava, black in color (a very striking color for the visitor)

Arenas Negras (black sands) Area located at 1,240m of altitude. It has an area with tables and benches, another for children’s games and camping is allowed (requesting permission from the Cabildo de Tenerife)

Recommendations:

You can get there by car from the road along the dirt road to the parking lot of the recreational area (starting point) Another option is to leave from the area of ​​La Montaña (Iglesia de San Francisco) going up the same PR 43 (to take into account that the PR 43 begins in Garachico) From the church to the area it is about 2.6 kilometers approximately.

How to get there?

  • Private vehicle (you can access the recreational area by the dirt road from the road, you do not need authorization to circulate with the vehicle)
  • Public transport (check why there may be changes): Line 360 ​​from Icod de los Vinos. NOTE: in this case we stay at the bus stop “IGLESIA SAN FRANCISCO” or “ARENAS NEGRAS” (go down towards the church to take the path). The PR-43 passes near the church, from here to the recreational area it is approximately 2.6 kilometers. https://titsa.com/index.php/tus-guaguas/lineas-y-horarios/linea-360