Malpaís de Güímar, Tenerife, trails

Puertito de Güímar, also called El Puertito, is located on the east coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, a little more than 20 km south-west of Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz. It is a lovely little port which is very popular with locals and visitors, as it has a number of cafés and restaurants and sheltered beaches.

Whilst staying in El Puertito, I visited the Malpaís de Güímar many times. Each time I walked a different trail starting and finishing in the port area of Puertito de Güímar. The longest trail was just over 6km long and took just under 3 hours. The trails are well-signposted. The paths are easy to follow and are mostly flat, with one following along the coastline.

The Malpaís de Güímar is a special nature reserve of great ecological significance that was declared a protected area in 1987. This is a unique volcanic landscape that spans all the way from Montaña Grande (seen in the background of the photo below) to the coast. The region's mild climate makes it a wonderful habitat for a great many endemic species. Cardons and tabaibas thrive there. Nearer the coast, you will find sea fennel and the local species of sea lavender, while the sandy areas are populated by spiny broom bushes and Canarian clovers, with over 60 species of lichens dotted all over the Malpaís landscape. All across the inland area of El Malpáis are a series of volcanic tubes and caves. The most spectacular ones are the caves of Cueva Honda and Cueva de los Burros, with some stretches measuring as long as 100 m (330 ft) and as tall as 5 m (16 ft).

The best way to discover this landscape is to explore its trails and stop at its many lookout points, where tongues of lava, cardons and tabaibas dominate the scenery.

These was just some of the many walking experiences I had on the island of Tenerife.

The Montaña Grande is in the background.