A Hike into Teide National Park’s Surreal Beauty: From Vilaflor to the Lunar Landscapes
The fourth day of our Tenerife hiking adventure began with a mix of anticipation and fatigue. My hiking buddy, unfortunately, struggled with another sleepless night, leaving us both feeling a bit worn out after three consecutive days of hiking and exploration. Despite this, the enticing promise of the day’s fuelled our motivation and excitement. We started our day by waking up at early at 6 am, treating ourselves to an early breakfast, preparing sandwiches for the adventure, and embarking on the exploration of the famed Lunar Landscape Trail in Teide National Park.
The Road to Vilaflor
With the sunrise as our companion, we navigated the zigzagging roads in Tenerife, mindful of the blinding sunbeams at that early time of the day. After a detour from the highway, we passed through Arona, Las Casas and La Escalona, small villages on our way, and reached our destination – the charming village of Vilaflor. Perched on the mountain, Vilaflor welcomed us with its quaint church and square. After finding a parking slot for our car, we ventured down a steep street, leaving the village behind and walking towards the trailhead of our hike to the captivating Paisaje Lunar.
Climbing under Pine Trees
Climbing under Pine Trees
The 14-kilometer hike promised almost 5 hours of exploration. Our hike began with an intriguing sight of terraced hills just outside Vilaflor, where locals were diligently preparing the steps for potential cultivation, possibly grapes, given the nearby vineyards. As we started our ascent, the trail path unfolded, lined with pine trees and decorated with bladderpod shrubs. The climb was enchanting, the wide pathway paved with a mix of rocks, large and small, and dust, providing both a challenge and required some physical effort. But these challenges quickly fade away as one soon becomes immersed in the captivating natural surroundings and a profound sense of serenity begins to take hold.
Pinecones, Light and Shadow
Navigating the meticulously crafted path, outlined by large rocks on both sides, was not only a visual delight, but also guided us through the challenging stretches of the hike. Zigzagging our way up, each step strategically chosen, we were immersed in the refreshing scent of pine trees. There was plenty of light and shadow on the trail, adding more dynamics to the hiking. Large pinecones, likely left by fellow hikers as trail markers, decorated the rocks along the path.
Paisaje Lunar: An Unforgettable Marvel
Surprises on the Trail
Passing what seemed like an abandoned farm, the path meandered towards the side of a hill, offering a breathtaking view of a narrow valley between the mountains – a former path of a dried river, perhaps. Climbing and descending, surrounded by pine trees, we then crossed a black road suitable for cars. We saw here a sign that indicated that the Spanish environmental organization periodically closes the park to check for fires, spending a lot of efforts to preserve this natural wonder.
Choosing the Clockwise Direction to Paisaje Lunar Loop
The trail progressed on its enchanting course, surrounded by pine trees and marked by rocks outlining the route. Eventually, we reached a sign pointing towards Pasaije Lunar, and we opted to take the left, following a clockwise direction. As the path ascended, it meandered through a shifting landscapes of pine trees and scattered rocks, creating a captivating view reminding us of a stone and rock rainfall. The terrain transitioned seamlessly from walking on larger rocks and stones to navigating through smaller rocks and dust, providing a diverse experience. Along this stretch of the hike, we encountered a unique area with rocks, revealing exquisite shapes and colors, and they were even sliced through, with each layer telling a story of the geological stages the rocks underwent through the years.
We Are Almost There…
The road led us upward, but required less physical effort that the first stretch, and was still enveloped by tall pine trees. Surprisingly, the path then veered away from steep ascents, offering predominantly flat sections or gentle slopes. Following the well-outlined trail, we were treated to ever-changing views again and again that oscillated between the familiar black and white hues of stones and stretches adorned with rocks resembling lava formations. Pine trees remained constant companions, standing tall against a backdrop of mountains always higher than our current position. Contrary to our expectations of further climbs, the path took an unexpected turn, descending gradually. Before we knew it, we arrived at our destination, Pasaije Lunar.
Pasaije Lunar: An Unforgettable Marvel!
Amidst the lunar-like landscape of Pasaije Lunar, we saw beautiful rocks with white colors, each uniquely shaped and standing out as tribute to the forces of erosion and wind. Taking a moment to revel in their splendor, we decided to linger, enjoying a lunch with an unparalleled view. From this vantage point, the island of Gran Canaria revealed itself, adding to the panoramic spectacle. With our spirits renewed, we pivoted towards closing the hiking trail loop, continuing on the familiar path adorned with pine trees, bushes, and a myriad of rocks. As we traversed flat sections and gentle descents, the trail unfolded, and just there we saw a tall pine tree with extraordinarily large pine cones—a perfect souvenir from this enchanting trip.
Respetemos La Naturaleza
Respetemos La Naturaleza
Our return journey took us on the same scenic path, alternating between flat sections and gentle slopes. The ever-changing scenery, from black and white hue stones to lava rock sections, maintained the trail’s allure. As we continued our trek, we started seeing for the first time also fellow hikers and friendly workers maintaining the trail. Noteworthy was a long wall of stones and a sign urging everyone to ” Respetemos la naturaleza ” – respect nature. Here we also saw an interesting kind of birds, but they hid quickly into the bushes. Glimpses of an old, roofless stone house added a touch of mystery to the trip.
The Return to Vilaflor
As we neared the completion of the loop, the path paralleled a wide black road suitable for cars, but surprisingly devoid of any passing cars. Closing the loop, we descended towards Vilaflor, through the first stretch of the our initial trail, but this time descending gradually and carefully. As we approached Vilaflor, we navigated its steep, narrow streets. The village with houses of various colours and blooming flowers, welcomed us to a charming square with a statue paying homage to Brother Pedro Betancur.
A Pause at a Dulcería
Post-hike, a well-deserved break awaited us at Dulcería Hermano Pedro, a pastry café in Vilaflor. Coffee and iced tea refreshed our tired bodies as we admired the unique shift of the weather. Starting our hike under a clear sky with few scattered fluffy clouds, we concluded the trail amidst a grey sky and unexpected fog at the Dulcería. However, as we headed towards the car and Vilaflor’s square, the once-gray clouds began to disperse, revealing clearing skies.
Reflections and Blisters
As we came back to our hotel, we took much awaited and refreshing showers, and we took some time to plan upcoming adventures. We later witnessed the sunset at the harbour in our resort before enjoying a cozy dinner at the hotel. The day’s hiking exploits, however, left my hiking buddy’s toes with blisters and blue hues, as a result of the challenging yet rewarding hikes from the last 4 days.
Our fourth day in Tenerife unfolded as a captivating journey through diverse landscapes, from the charming village of Vilaflor to the surreal beauty of the Lunar Landscape Trail. The island continued to enchant us with its natural wonders, promising more exciting adventures in the days to come.
Start
Vilaflor
End
Vilaflor
Duration
5 hours
Length
13.5 km
Difficulty
Intermediate
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