11/8/2024 (updated: 11/8/2024) | 13min Reading time

Circular hike from Arico to the El Contador rest area

DifficultyHard

IslandTenerife

Altitude1250m

Distance19km

Circular hike

Head for heights

Blick auf die gewaltigen Felswände der Schluchten und über die Ostküste von Teneriffa

1.0The El Contador Recreational Area
2.0Arico hike to the El Contador rest area
3.0General Information on the Arico – El Contador Circular Hike
- 3.1Starting Point and Directions
- 3.2Getting there by car
- 3.3Getting there by bus
- 3.4Time
- 3.5Elevation and distance
- 3.6Requirement
- 3.7Refreshments
- 3.8Variants
4.0Circular hike Arico – El Contador
5.0And finally

The El Contador Recreational Area

El Contador is a secluded rest area, located 1,250 meters high in the mountains on the eastern side of Tenerife. The surroundings are lush with dense bushes and Canarian pine forests. Among the wildlife species in this area, you can find blue rock thrushes, woodpeckers, various beetles, and butterflies. This popular recreational spot, particularly with locals at weekends, is reachable by a small road from Villa Arico.

Map

El Contador rest area high above Arico

Camping here is allowed with prior permission. Close to the recreational area, there are also some traditional country houses and old terraced fields. Steep cliffs lie below, dropping down into equally impressive ravines. This hike will take you across several of these ravines, offering stunning views from high above.

Steep ascent paths lead up towards El Contador

Arico hike to the El Contador rest area

This roughly 19-kilometer-long hike takes you from Arico up into the heights. You’ll face some very steep sections along the ascent, but with fantastic views over the eastern coast of Tenerife and even to the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. In total, you’ll climb 1,250 meters in altitude. Once you reach the higher ground, the route continues at elevation, crossing towards El Contador.

Hiking crossroads at altitude just before El Contador - you will find good signposting throughout the hike

This section also has a few ups and downs, as you cross over large ravines, each offering spectacular views of the surrounding cliff faces. On reaching El Contador with a gentle descent, it’s time for a well-deserved rest. The descent follows a different path down the ridge, with more beautiful scenery along the way.

Track of the great El Contador circular hike

General Information on the Arico – El Contador Circular Hike

Starting Point and Directions

The starting point for this hike is Calle de la Degollada in Arico, at around 430 meters altitude. Begin at the point where the road bends to the left past the last houses of Arico. This spot also marks the convergence of two hiking trails, PR-TF 86.2 and PR-TF 86.3. Start by following the first trail, and return along the other.

Getting there by car

If you’re coming from the north or south, take the TF-1 motorway and exit at 39 Poris de Abona towards Arico Viejo on the TF-625. Continue straight into the village on the TF-625. At the junction with the TF-28, go straight up Calle de la Degollada. Continue a bit further and look for a parking spot along the roadside. Alternatively, you can park in designated spaces at the junction below in the village and walk up to the starting point.

Getting there by bus

By bus, you can reach Arico Viejo and Arico Nuevo with Titsa line 430. For more information, check the Titsa website .

Time

Time estimates for hikes are subjective; our round trip with an extended rest at El Contador took us about 7 hours.

Elevation profile of the hike to El Contador

Elevation and distance

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The hike covers a difference of approximately 1,150 meters in altitude and is 19 kilometers long.ilometer lang.

Requirement

Though the paths are well-maintained throughout, I’d still rate this hike as difficult due to some very steep climbs. You’ll need a bit of surefootedness and a good head for heights, as well as a very good fitness level.

Refreshments

There are no refreshment options along the route except in Arico at the start and end. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.

Track of the El Contador hike (yellow). Small red track at the top (small loop around El Contador), blue: small loop around Arico, blue top left (high-altitude hike above the Contador), green: small loop with hike to Galería Tamadaya

Variants

If you don’t want to hike all the way to El Contador, you can also drive from Villa de Arico up to the rest area and start a shorter walk from there. The easy high altitude hike over Arico might be a good option for you.

Another shorter hike from El Contador is covered in a separate article.

If you prefer smaller loops around Arico, I have three hiking suggestions for you on SiebenInseln:

View of the east coast from above

Circular hike Arico – El Contador

Section Arico, Calle de la Degollada to the caves above Arico

Start your hike at the location described above in Calle de la Degollada in Arico at around 430 meters altitude. From there, follow hiking trail PR-TF 86.2 down to the Barranco Tamadaya. This short section is also part of the Arico cave visit hike. The path gradually descends along the hillside, passing terraced fields and scattered farms until reaching the bottom of the barranco. Here, follow the barranco leftwards for a short stretch.

Ruined house by the wayside - Casas de Tamadaya

You then cross a side ravine to the right and climb back up along the opposite side of the Barranco Tamadaya. The trail then runs for a while above the barranco. Soon, you’ll cross a canal on the right, which you can follow to visit some caves above the hiking trail. From up there, enjoy views of the area around the Barranco Tamadaya. Then, continue following the trail, which runs parallel above the barranco and climbs gradually.

after the first steep ascent in front of a ruined house

Section caves above Arico to canal crossing

Next, the path climbs to the right in broad switchbacks. After the switchbacks, the trail continues along a ridge with sweeping views. You’ll pass the abandoned Casas de Tamadaya de Abajo and later Casas de Tamadaya de Arriba ruins. Shortly after these latter ruins, a path branches left down into the Barranco Tamadaya. This is part of another SiebenInseln circular route through Arico that also leads to the Galería Tamadaya.

the hiking trail to El Contador crosses a water pipe

For this hike, keep going straight along the ridge. The path rises steeply above the Barranco Chapas de la Jeringa before bringing you around the Barranco el Seco. After crossing the ravine, there’s an option to descend rightward back towards Arico, but instead, follow the signposted route to El Contador, which leads you upward along a canal.

Steep ascent on the hiking trail towards El Contador

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Section canal crossing to the El Contador cross-path

Continue climbing in switchbacks until reaching a broad area with terraced fields. The trail then heads steeply uphill to the left. You’re now at around 1,150 meters and continue climbing through pine forest. From here, you’ll see impressive cliff faces beneath the El Contador area to your left. The trail becomes narrower and steeper as it follows the cliffside upwards.

At 1,350 meters, you’ll reach the “corner point” of the hike, with splendid views of the cliffs and the island’s eastern coast. From here, the path heads westward, though the climb isn’t quite over. You’ll still need to cross several ravines before reaching El Contador. This section between El Contador and the main ascent trail is a great option for a shorter hike, offering fantastic cliff views without the steep climb (marked in red under Variations).

View from a distance of the mighty rock faces below El Contador

Section cross-path to El Contador to Barranco la Gambusea

If you’re still feeling energetic, the crossings of the six ravines with their magnificent cliff and deep ravine views will leave you in awe. In the final third of this section, you’ll come across a vehicle track crossing the hiking path. Ahead, you’ll spot some high-altitude farms and terraced fields below. At a large farmhouse, cross the last small ravine, Barranco El Contador-Arico. Shortly afterward, you’ll reach a vehicle track. Take the track straight on to arrive at the Área Recreativa El Contador rest area.

Small and large gorges have to be crossed again and again on the cross-country trail

Here, enjoy a well-earned rest at the large picnic tables with beautiful views. For more hike ideas from here, see SiebenInseln. After your break, follow the road downwards towards Villa de Arico. Soon, hiking trail PR-TF 86 leads off the road left into the Barranco la Gambusea. Cross the ravine and continue down along the opposite side.

Shortly before El Contador, you meet the ascent path to Cumbre de Arico

Section from Barranco la Gambusea to Ortiz

Now, you’ll descend for quite a while along numerous switchbacks, enjoying beautiful views of the coastal region and the nearby island of Gran Canaria. You quickly lose elevation on the ridge between Barranco la Gambusea and Barranco la Puente. Eventually, the trail leads down into Barranco la Puente. After crossing, you’ll head gently uphill on the other side. Here, you’ll reach a fork. You can either take the PR-TF 86.1 to the right or descend left with the PR-TF 86 into Barranco la Tosquera.

Hiking trail below El Contador

Both routes ultimately bring you to nearly the same point, meeting up just above the small town of Ortiz. We followed the PR-TF 86 through the barranco. On the other side, you’ll continue downhill for quite a while. After some time, you’ll spot the small town of Ortiz below. Just before the trails merge again, we took a left towards Ortiz. However, due to some blocked paths, this route isn’t highly recommended. It’s better to stay on the PR-TF 86 a bit longer before turning left to skirt around Ortiz on the south side.

Hiking trail below El Contador down to Arico with a view of the Atlantic and the east coast

Section from Ortiz to the Starting Point

Whichever route you choose, on the east side of Ortiz, you’ll come across a small track leading further eastward up a slight ridge. At the top, you’ll find a quiet, almost unused road. Follow this road downhill to the right, and along the way, you’ll also cross Barranco el Saltadero. Shortly before the small village of La Sabinita, the PR-TF 86.3 from Barranco Tamadaya joins this road from the left. Follow the road and trail further downhill. At the next fork above La Sabinita, stay left for a shortcut.

Individual farmsteads on the descent path high above Arico

Alternatively, you can continue along the trail through the village. Both routes meet again past La Sabinita. After some time, the trail will branch off from the road to the left, passing by water reservoirs and cutting across the road down toward Calle la Degollada. This brings you back to the starting point, where you’ll surely deserve a coffee or a beer at a bar in Arico after this extensive hike.

View of Arico

And finally

I hope you’ve enjoyed this extensive hike from Arico to the El Contador rest area in Tenerife. Enjoy the stunning views, and happy hiking on all your adventures,

Dagmar from SiebenInseln

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