Hiking
Possessing incredibly varied terrain and ecological landscapes, Tenerife and La Gomera are both great year-round hiking venues. The obvious place to head for on Tenerife is the lunar landscapes of the Parque Nacional del Teide, although there are plenty of good, well-marked hikes elsewhere too - particularly in the wildly rugged Anaga and Teno regions or in the densely forested Orotava valley. While on neighbouring La Gomera the most enticing area is at the centre of the island among the ancient laurel forest of the Parque Nacional de Garajonay. But, again, you can find first-class hiking along almost any of the island's steep-sided gorges or ridges.
If you are heading to La Gomera to go hiking, consider the escorted hiking tours of Wilderness Walks (tel 01227/779 199; www.wildernesswalks.com ) who run trips for all abilities, costing from around GBP425 per week (excluding flights).
Most of the hiking on Tenerife will not start from the front door of your accommodation and will involve making use of the dependable bus network or renting a car. Puerto de la Cruz is traditionally the resort of choice for hikers, being well-connected by buses and served by a good range of accommodation (and operators offering guided hiking trips), as well as being on the north side of the island where much of the best hiking is. However, for those wanting to stay in less of a resort environment, Santa Cruz can also make a good base. Alternatively, if you want to mix hiking with the nightlife, beaches and sunshine of the southern resorts, then Los Cristianos makes a good base, well connected as it is to the local bus network. Maps and hiking guides are available at bookshops in the island's main towns and resorts, but to save time, it's worth picking up information before you head out to Tenerife . Two UK publishers produce particularly useful hiking companions: Sunflower Guides publish two books on Tenerife and one on La Gomera, while Discovery Walking Guides publish folded pamphlets in poly-pockets with good, clear, annotated island maps, as well as books that reprint portions of their map with the addition of further route-finding information.
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