Sieben Inseln
8/8/2022 (updated: 6/8/2023) | 10min Reading time

Coastal hike in a special lava landscape – Malpaís de Güímar

DifficultyEasy
IslandTenerife
Altitude150m
Distance6,5km - 13km
Circular hike
Küstenwanderweg

Circular hike Malpaís de Güímar

This small circular walk starts and ends on the coast near Güímar, in Puertito de Güímar. It is one of those hikes that I would almost call a long walk. Nevertheless, it is charming and highly recommended. You walk through a beautiful coastal landscape with views of volcanoes, lava fields, mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. There are only a few metres of altitude to climb on this hike and the paths are well laid out. Furthermore, you can shorten or extend the length individually. So this really is a hike for everyone. 

Map

Hiking trail below the Montaña Grande
Hiking trail below the Montaña Grande
Malpaís de Güímar is a Special Nature Reserve that was placed under protection in 1987. There are many underground lava tubes in this area. The Malpaís is of great ecological importance, because due to the mild climate in this volcanic landscape and the coastal region, you can admire many endemic plant species there. You will walk past the various species of spurge, as well as the Canary Island spurge. In this impressive coastal lava landscape, you will come across lettuce, broom and beach lilac, as well as numerous species of lichen.
Malpaís de Güímar landscape - lava fields with many endemic plant species
Malpaís de Güímar landscape - lava fields with many endemic plant species
There is plenty of information and viewpoints for resting and looking around. Enjoy this short hike with all your senses.
Track of the small hike Malpaís de Güímar
Track of the small hike Malpaís de Güímar

General information about the Malpaís de Güímar hike

Starting point and approach

The starting point of the hike is Calle Marqués de Santa Cruz in Puertito de Güímar. The spot is easy to find, as this is the end of the asphalt road that turns into a dirt track.
Starting point of the hike Malpaís de Güímar
Starting point of the hike Malpaís de Güímar

Arrival by car

Leave the TF-1 at exit 22 Güímar and continue towards Puertito de Güímar. This will take you to Puertito de Güímar via the TF-61. From Avenida Christobal Colón, turn left onto Calle C. Francisco Pizarro. At the end of this street, turn right onto Calle Isaac Peral. At the end of this street, turn left onto Calle Almte Cervera. Finally, turn left onto Calle Marqués de Santa Cruz. There are parking spaces on the left. If this is not enough, you can also park in the town and walk back to the starting point.

Arrival with bus

You can take the Titsa bus 120 to Puertito de Güímar. You can find out more on the Titsa homepage

Time

Article summary and large selection of GPS hiking tracks

Article summary and large selection of GPS hiking tracks

Sign up for my newsletter now and get exclusive access to my collected GPS tracks as well as all the brief information about my articles.
Sign up now
I don’t like to give general times for hiking tours, because the times are very individual. We needed just under 2 hours for this hike with a few stops. However, you can easily extend the hike to 4 hours with longer stops at interesting places or on the extensions.
Altitude profile of the short hike Malpaís de Güímar
Altitude profile of the short hike Malpaís de Güímar

Altitude difference and route length

The difference in altitude is about 150 metres and if you walk the extensions, a few metres more. And the small circular hike is about 6.5 kilometres long. The extensions of the route are approx. 9 and 12 kilometres long. 

Requirement

Basically, this is a simple and easy hike on good paths.

Refreshment

There are restaurants, bars and shops in Puertito de Güímar at the start and end of the hike. Therefore, at least take enough water with you.
Track of the small Malpaís hike (green) and possible extensions in orange
Track of the small Malpaís hike (green) and possible extensions in orange

Variantes 

This tour can also be extended in length as a circular walk. I have described here the small round tour of about 6.5 kilometres. On the pictures, however, you can see possibilities to extend this round tour to approx. 9 and 12 kilometres.
Hikers in front of the Montaña Grande or also called Montaña de Güímar
Hikers in front of the Montaña Grande or also called Montaña de Güímar

Hike Malpaís de Güímar

Puertito de Güímar section, Calle Marqués de Santa Cruz to Montaña Grande

You start your hike in Puertito de Güímar, Calle Marqués de Santa Cruz at the point described above. Please do not follow my track here at the beginning, because I came onto the main path of the hike diagonally from another car park. You can also see this on the track picture. Once on the main path, you can’t miss the well laid out path. On the right and left of the entire hike, you will encounter many endemic plants mentioned above in the lava fields.
Paths through cacti, lots of greenery and volcanic stones
Paths through cacti, lots of greenery and volcanic stones
Article summary and large selection of GPS hiking tracks

Article summary and large selection of GPS hiking tracks

Sign up for my newsletter now and get exclusive access to my collected GPS tracks as well as all the brief information about my articles.
Sign up now
You will see lava tunnels and interesting explanatory panels, which will give you a little more insight into the life of the coastal inhabitants of that time. Since you really can’t miss the path, I will only briefly point out a few striking places below. In the first long section, you hike towards the volcanic cones of Montaña Grande and shortly before you reach them, you pass the impressive viewpoint Morra del Corcho at an altitude of 130 metres.
Installations and explanatory panels along the way
Installations and explanatory panels along the way

Route section Montaña Grande to junction east side Montaña Grande

At the foot of Montaña Grande, the path divides. If you go around to the left, you could walk completely around Montaña Grande. However, you would have to walk a large part of the hike right next to the motorway. For this reason, most hikers forego this extension. If you keep to the right, you will also go around a large part of Montaña Grande and climb up the foothills. You will go around some small volcanic cones.
Viewing terrace below Montaña Grande - volcanoes, landscape and El Socorro
Viewing terrace below Montaña Grande - volcanoes, landscape and El Socorro
Here, too, you will come across another mirador from which you can get an overview of the impressive landscape. On the east side of Montaña Blanca you will reach a junction. If you continue straight ahead, you can do small and large extension laps in the direction of El Socorro and Playa de la Entrada. You will find suggestions on the track pictures (see orange sections). You cannot get lost, as you will always see the Atlantic Ocean to your right. There on the coast is your way back.
Coastal hiking trail
Coastal hiking trail

East side of Montaña Grande to starting point of the hike in Puertito de Güímar

However, you hike around the small loop to the right downhill towards the Atlantic. The whole time, the path goes leisurely downhill through a truly impressive lava landscape. Finally, at the Punta de los Altillos o de los Picos, you reach the coastal trail. You come to this point from the left if you have done one of the extension routes. Now you go around to the right. 
Storage place for food in ancient times - on the hike you can see and discover many interesting things along the way
Storage place for food in ancient times - on the hike you can see and discover many interesting things along the way
The path always leads you near the coast with views of the mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, back to Puertito de Güímar. On the way, you go up and down over cliffs, past viewpoints and information boards. From time to time you will almost reach the sea. Enjoy the way back to the starting point in Puertito de Güímar.
View of the coast towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife
View of the coast towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife

And finally 

I hope you enjoyed this little hike in the Malpaís de Güímar. It is extremely relaxing and perhaps also a good alternative for people who, for various reasons, no longer want to or can undertake large mountain tours. But also for all other hikers, this small hike without big challenges has a lot to offer.
Have fun on all your hikes, wishes you,
Dagmar from Seven Islands

Thank you for reading!

If you've found my hiking guides on SiebenInseln helpful for your Canary Islands adventures, please consider leaving a small tip. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps cover the costs of maintaining this blog.
Thank you for your support!
SSL secured

Comments

There are no comments for this post yet.

Post the first comment

This site uses cookies to improve the user experience. Learn more