Walks near Icod

From Icod you can walk among palm groves at sea level and volcanic badlands at a thousand metres on the same day. These are the routes that genuinely justify the drive from the house, with the figures published in the Cabildo's official trail catalogue — not estimates.

1. Rambla de Castro — the easiest and the loveliest

If you only do one walk in the north, do this one. Just over four flat kilometres along the cliff between palm groves and sea, with three things to see on the way: the Castro manor house, the San Pedro viewpoint and the ruins of the Gordejuela water lift, home to the first steam engine used in Tenerife to raise water. Doable with children.

2. Barranco de Ruiz — half an hour and another world

The closest short stop to the house along the TF-5. It is a Site of Scientific Interest where the shift from heath woodland to laurel forest is almost didactically clear. There is a picnic area with parking right at the entrance, so it works either as a half-hour stroll or as the start of the PR-TF 40, which is a moderate grade.

3. Chinyero — walking on the last eruption

In 1909 Chinyero was Tenerife's last eruption. More than a century on, the lava field is still black and vegetation is colonising it in slow motion: it is one of the best places in the world to watch that process. The PR-TF 43 network has several variants, so you can choose your distance. The Arenas Negras loop is the sensible option for a morning; the full PR-TF 43 from Garachico is nearly nineteen kilometres with 1,810 m of climb.

4. Anaga's enchanted forest

It is far — Anaga is at the opposite end of the island — but it is Tenerife's most photographed trail for a reason: relict laurel forest, mist between the trunks and a viewpoint over Taganana. It needs a permit with limited places, so plan it a fortnight ahead.

5. Paisaje Lunar, if you want to cross the island

Closer, in Teno: the Erjos and Monte del Agua walks