Tenerife: La Laguna & Anaga hike

If you’re considering a day exploring Tenerife’s natural beauty and historic streets, this La Laguna & Anaga hike might catch your eye. We’ve looked into what this tour offers—from the lush landscapes of the Anaga Mountains to wandering through the UNESCO-listed streets of La Laguna. It’s a blend of nature and culture that appeals to many travelers, especially those who want a taste of the island’s diverse sides.

What we like most about this experience is how it combines a guided hike through a primary laurel forest—a rare and beautiful environment—and free time to explore La Laguna, a city brimming with history. Plus, you get the chance to visit a local produce market, soaking in local flavors. On the flip side, some reviews mention that the bus rides can be lengthy and that the actual forest walk might feel a bit slow or detailed for those expecting more views or variety.

This tour seems best suited for adventurers who enjoy gentle hikes combined with cultural explorations. If you’re after a laid-back day that mixes nature with a stroll through a charming town, this could be a good pick. However, if you’re looking for a fast-paced adventure or breathtaking panoramic vistas, other options might serve you better.

Key Points

• Balanced experience: Mix of nature hike and cultural city exploration.
• Convenient pickup: From selected hotel locations makes logistics easier.
• Educational value: Guided commentary about local flora and history.
• Duration and pacing: 8 hours total, with a fair amount of bus travel.
• Cost versus value: $65 per person is reasonable for the length and inclusions.
• Limitations for some: Not suitable for pregnant women or those with mobility issues.

You can check availability for your dates here:

What to Expect from the Tour

This tour kicks off with pickup from nearby hotel points in Los Cristianos, including Sol Arona, Hotel Best Tenerife, or LABRANDA Suites Costa Adeje. From there, it’s about an hour on the bus heading towards the Anaga Mountains. This initial drive gives you a quick preview of Tenerife’s southeastern coast, setting the stage for what’s to come.

The hike through the Anaga Mountains and the laurel forest

Once in the mountains, you’ll spend around two hours exploring the primary laurel forest of Las Mercedes. This part is guided, so you’ll learn about the local flora, especially the unique trees and insects that thrive in this environment. The forest is a true highlight—its lush, green canopy offers a peaceful, almost untouched feel, and the guide’s detailed stories tend to appeal to those interested in botany or local ecology.

However, some reviews mention that the walk is mostly focused on a single forest trail, which may feel repetitive if you’re expecting sweeping vistas or varied scenery. Be prepared for a slow paced, educational walk rather than a spectacular hike with panoramic views.

Exploring La Laguna

After the forest, the tour continues to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you’ll have about an hour of free time to wander the pedestrian streets, browse shops, or stop for a coffee. The city’s architecture and history are charming, but some travelers find that the timing is inconvenient or that the city is quiet due to a siesta or local rhythms—something to keep in mind if you’re eager to see it bustling.

The return journey and logistics

Following La Laguna, the bus takes about 25 minutes back into the mountains for the hike. Afterward, there’s about an hour on the bus before returning to your hotel. The total duration is around 8 hours, which is a good length but involves a fair amount of time spent on the bus—something that numerous reviews highlight.

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Detailed itinerary breakdown

• Pickup: You choose from three nearby hotel options, making it flexible for travelers staying in Los Cristianos.
• Bus to Anaga Mountains: The drive is around one hour, giving you a chance to relax or take in the scenery.
• Visit to San Cristóbal de La Laguna: An hour to explore the historic streets and local market.
• Bus to Laurel Forest: Approximately 25 minutes from La Laguna into the mountains.
• Hiking in Anaga Mountains: About 2 hours exploring the forest, guided and educational.
• Return journey: About 1 hour back to the starting point.

What’s included and what’s not

The tour covers your transportation, a hiking guide, and hotel pick-up and drop-off, making the logistics straightforward. But keep in mind, food and drinks are not included, so it’s wise to bring water, snacks, or a small meal to keep your energy up during the day. The hike requires comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and some personal essentials like your passport or ID.

What travelers are saying

The reviews give a good sense of what you can expect. One traveler praised it as “Perfect!” (5/5), highlighting a smooth experience. But others felt disappointed, especially with transport delays—one noted a bus arriving half an hour late—and the focus of the forest walk, which some found detailed but not necessarily scenic.

A Latvian reviewer called it “a botanist expedition” and was a bit frustrated that the promised food market visit was more of a walk in the forest with detailed stories about trees and insects. This highlights that if you’re after more sightseeing diversity or panoramic views, this might not be your ideal.

Meanwhile, a Spanish traveler mentioned that the timing in La Laguna was inconvenient, with the city practically holding a siesta. They also found the bus rides long and somewhat tedious, noting that organizing a more central meeting point could improve the experience.

On the positive side, a German guest called it “Alles perfekt” (everything perfect), showing that if the focus on nature and cultural exploration aligns with your interests, you’ll find value here.

Price and value

At $65 per person, the tour is reasonably priced considering the length and inclusions. The key here is understanding the value of guided education, transportation, and the chance to walk in a UNESCO-protected forest. For travelers seeking a relaxed, educational day combining nature and culture, it offers a fair deal. But if you’re craving more panoramic scenery or a faster pace, other excursions with different routes or shorter travel times might be preferable.

Who is this tour best suited for?

This experience works well for nature lovers interested in botanical details and those wanting to explore a UNESCO city without the rush. It’s suitable for travelers who are comfortable with a moderate walk and don’t mind spending time on the bus—particularly if they enjoy learning about local flora and history from a knowledgeable guide.

However, it’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility issues, or those with heart or respiratory problems. The physical demands are light to moderate, but the emphasis on a guided walk in the forest and some bus travel may pose challenges for certain travelers.

Final thoughts

This tour offers a gentle blend of natural beauty and cultural charm, making it a solid choice if you’re looking for a relaxing, educational day rather than an adrenaline-filled adventure. The guided walk through the laurel forest is its main highlight, providing a rare glimpse into a primary forest that few get to experience so closely.

While the bus rides can be lengthy, the convenience of hotel pickup and the opportunity to explore La Laguna’s historic streets add value. Be prepared for a slow-paced day, with some reviews suggesting it can feel a bit drawn out, especially if you’re expecting sweeping vistas or a more dynamic hike.

This experience is best for those who want a relaxed, culturally enriched nature walk and are okay with some travel time. If that sounds like your kind of day, it’s definitely worth considering.

FAQ

Is this tour suitable for children?
The tour isn’t specifically tailored for children but could be suitable for older kids who enjoy walking and exploring nature and cities. However, the walking may be too slow-paced or detailed for very young children.

How much does the tour cost?
It costs around $65 per person, which covers transportation, the guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

What should I bring on the tour?
Bring your passport or ID, water, snacks, hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, a jacket, a daypack, and your travel insurance if you have it.

Are meals included?
No, food and drinks are not included, so plan to bring some snacks or a packed lunch.

How long is the bus ride?
The initial bus ride to the mountains takes about an hour, with additional travel time during the day, which some reviews find quite long.

Is the walk in the forest strenuous?
No, it’s mostly a gentle, educational hike in a primary laurel forest, lasting about two hours. It’s suitable for those with moderate fitness.

Can I cancel this tour?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What languages are guides available in?
The tour is offered in French, German, Spanish, and English.

This tour offers a relaxed, enriching way to see some of Tenerife’s natural and historic highlights. Whether it’s for the flora, the town’s charm, or a leisurely day out, it’s worth weighing against what you’re hoping to get from your trip.

You can check availability for your dates here: