Along the lava spiked coast and through the cactus speckled badlands, hiking within Malpais de Guimar is a treat for those traveling to Tenerife.
There are multiple trails and trailheads to explore, combing them covers over six miles of trails.
Little shade exists in this landscape, bring a hat and water. Through the interior, get up close and personal with the three volcanic cones exist within the reserve.
The largest is Montaña Grande, the big mountain, stands 906 feet tall with a crater that stretches almost 1,000 feet in diameter, its depth 164 feet.
Trails do no lead to its summit, in fact there is little elevation gained at all along the paths. The subsidiary cones include Montaña de la Mar, the Mountain of the Sea, and Las Morras del Corcho – Cork Bluff. The lava flow in this park is new, relatively speaking, and less 10,000 years old. Flora in the park is exquisite, witnessing the endemic Cardón cactus is most exciting of all, whose columns sprout like an antique candelabrum.
These cacti can grow up to thirteen feet tall and during the spring and summer flower along with producing a red fruit. Inside there is a sticky white toxic liquid, latex. The plant creates a whole habitat, look closely to find spiders, lizards, and larvae who call this place home. Leaving the stagnant inland and walking back around the breezy coast is a relief, bring swimming gear to take a dip at Playa de la Entrada.
One of the most exquisite details in the park is a thickly formed lava arch, extra enchanting with the splash of a wave.
Other smaller arches have been eroded away by the pounding of the fierce Atlantic waves.
Such a short drive away from the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this is a relaxed option for a peaceful adventure.