If you like walking then Tenerife is the right place for you. Kilometers of hiking trails of varying difficulty and beautiful views. Just like in every mountain country you have to go prepared.
The weather on the West Coast can be volatile.
At dawn you will have sunshine and brilliant blue skies, and in the afternoon you will walk under a greyish cloud blanket. Which is actually a good thing, because the island does not have natural water sources. Nor rivers or lakes.
All water precipitates by condensation, rain showers are rare, with the help of cloud forests. humidity is absorbed by the leaves and needles, slowly trickling into the soil. One of the endemic species is the Pinus canariensis, the tree has extremely long needles trapping large amounts of condensation from the moist air coming off the Atlantic. Generations ago islanders built a system of canals and basins. Often the basins go unnoticed because they have built a shed around it.
My homeland is not the world, my homeland is not Europe, my homeland is made of an almond tree; the sweet, cool, unforgettable shadow.
Nicholas Estevanez
During our hike around the Teno Rural park we saw Erica heather plants as tall as 4m. According to our guide, more than 100 years old. Back home in Belgium they only grow 15cm high!
Normally we never do a guided hike. But this time we made an exception. Our local guide Sergio Flores Menéndez did a splendid job. He had been recommended by the receptionist of our hotel. Turned out he was a walking encyclopedia britannica with the ability to share his knowledge in an entertaining way.
After our hike we ended our day together with a beer on a terrace in the sleepy town of Buenavista del norte.
