Teno Alto: getting there, parking and which trails to walk

Teno Alto is a farming hamlet high up in Teno Rural Park, in Buenavista del Norte. It is also called Los Bailaderos, and locally just Teno. You can drive up, but parking is very limited and there is no public transport. The fullest way to arrive is on foot: the PR-TF 57 climbs from the El Palmar visitor centre in 3.87 km. Once there, the self-guided trail loops round the village in 2.77 km. As of 31 October 2026, all of them are free to walk with no booking for visitors.

What Teno Alto is

Traditional houses, a small square and a chapel scattered among terraces and pasture. Turismo de Tenerife mentions goat farms, old threshing floors, shepherds' shelters (tagoras) and tile kilns. Turismo de Canarias describes houses with thick walls of reddish stone and a village that lived cut off until a few decades ago. The Cabildo's park leaflet, 2021 edition, gives it 66 inhabitants.

According to Turismo de Tenerife, Teno Alto is known for its herding tradition and its artisan cheese, and local places in the village sell produce from the area's farmers. No opening hours are published.

How to get to Teno Alto

By car. Turismo de Canarias describes a winding road. The official sources do not name the road; Turismo de Tenerife gives the address Pista la Mesita, 38489 Buenavista del Norte. At the top, Tenerife ON warns that there are very few spaces in the village. Better still, walk up.

By bus. There is no service to Teno Alto, according to Tenerife ON. The nearest option is the start of the PR-TF 57 in El Palmar: TITSA routes 355, 365 and 366, stop Las Canales (4546). From there you walk up.

Do not confuse it with Punta de Teno, the lighthouse, or with the Masca ravine: both have their own access rules, which we explain in their guide.

Punta de Teno and Masca: how access works

Trails at Teno Alto

The village walk: self-guided trail

A loop that starts and ends in the Teno Alto square. 2.77 km, 1 h 20 min, low difficulty and about 91 m of ascent. It runs through pasture, tree heath and reeds, past the Azabuche kiln, a traditional kiln in good condition, and the small chapel facing the square. It is the one to do if you have driven up.

Walking up from El Palmar: PR-TF 57 Callejón de Teno

It follows the old royal road between El Palmar and Teno Alto. It leaves the Los Pedregales Visitor Centre (TF-436, km 6), climbs a stone path to the Alto de la Cumbre viewpoint and drops along the Los Lavaderos track to the church in Teno Alto. 3.87 km, 1 h 55 min, medium difficulty, about 453 m of ascent. It is linear: plan your return before you set off.

The long loop: El Palmar–Baracán via Teno Alto

For getting back to the car without retracing your steps. It climbs the Callejón de Teno, crosses Teno Alto, follows the La Mesita path to the Baracán viewpoint and drops via the Las Tabaibas shortcut. 9.66 km, 3 h 20 min, high difficulty, about 776 m of ascent. The section from Baracán to El Palmar is not waymarked, although the path is visible. There is parking at the visitor centre.

Down towards Buenavista: PR-TF 58 Camino del Risco

The old path between Teno Alto and Buenavista, also called the Camino de los Muertos: coffins were carried down it to the town. It heads north, passes Barreras de Puerto Malo and an old tagoror, looks out to Roque del Toscón and follows the Aderno ravine to Casablanca, on the TF-445. Tenerife ON gives 3.73 km, 2 h 20 min and medium difficulty, between 784 m and 115 m above sea level. The TF-445 has restrictions on traffic and on walkers: check bus 369 before you go.

Passing through: PR-TF 51

The massif's long traverse (22.60 km, high difficulty) passes through the Los Bailaderos square on its way to Punta de Teno.

Precautions

Wildfire alert days. As RTVC reported on 24 July 2026, under an Alert or Maximum Alert the Cabildo restricts visitors' cars heading to Masca, Teno Alto, Los Carrizales, El Palmar and Teno Rural. Residents, workers, emergency vehicles and buses can still get through. The Cabildo posts updates on its website, social media and roadside panels.

• The weather turns fast. At the Baracán viewpoint the sun can shine while it drizzles a few metres away, according to Turismo de Tenerife. Check the forecast and the trail's status before you go.
• Livestock, dogs and loose rock: the listings ask for care. Keep out of private land.
• Emergencies: 112.

Teno Alto self-guided

2.77 km · 1 h 20 min · low · loop

PR-TF 57 El Palmar–Teno Alto

3.87 km · 1 h 55 min · medium · linear

El Palmar–Baracán loop

9.66 km · 3 h 20 min · high · +776 m

PR-TF 58 Camino del Risco

3.73 km · 2 h 20 min · medium · linear

Nearest bus

TITSA 355, 365 and 366 · Las Canales (4546), in El Palmar

Parking in Teno Alto

very limited

Los Pedregales Visitor Centre

Monday to Sunday, 9:30–16:30 · +34 922 447 974

From Finca Julia

Teno Alto lies west of Icod, beyond Buenavista del Norte. If you drive, the simplest plan is to park at the Los Pedregales visitor centre in El Palmar and walk up the Callejón de Teno; with the loop you get back to the car without a bus. If you drive up to the village, do the self-guided trail. Bring water, a warm layer and a waterproof, and check the Cabildo's alert level before you go.

Erjos and Monte del Agua walks

Trails near Icod

Villages near Icod

Do you need a car in Tenerife?

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Teno Alto?

Yes, except on wildfire Alert or Maximum Alert days, when the Cabildo restricts visitors' cars. Parking in the village is very limited.

Is there a bus to Teno Alto?

No. Routes 355, 365 and 366 stop at Las Canales (4546) in El Palmar, where the PR-TF 57 up to the village begins.

Which is the easiest Teno Alto walk?

The self-guided loop: 2.77 km and 1 h 20 min, low difficulty, starting and finishing in the square.

Do you need to book?

No. As of 31 October 2026, the Tenerife ON listings give free access with no booking for visitors.