Scenic Hike from Playa del Bollullo to Pico del Teide in La Orotava
The town of La Orotava offers a variety of hiking routes, one of which stretches from sea level at Playa del Bollullo up to the peak of Pico del Teide at 3,715 metres, recognised by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) and Grafcan as the highest summit in Spain.
Within the city limits, visitors can experience this challenging trek, known as ‘Salitre, Almagre y Azufre’, while enjoying the serene ambience of a city that is part of the Cittaslow International Network. This walk, suitable for those in good physical condition, adds to the local tourism attractions as a free and accessible option.
The tourism section of the municipal website, laorotava.es, provides comprehensive information for anyone interested in undertaking this unique hike responsibly and safely. The route is divided into three main segments, each with its own distinctive features.
It is recommended to split the journey into at least three days: from Bollullo to Camino de Chasna, passing through the town centre (salitre); from Camino de Chasna to the El Portillo visitor centre, traversing the midlands and the forest crown (almagre); and from El Portillo to the summit of Teide (sulphur).
Information about the marked route is available on Google MyMaps in GPX and KMZ formats, providing elevation profiles, detailed route descriptions, safety guidelines, recommended planning strategies, forest escape routes, difficulty levels, and equipment suggestions.
This initiative is aligned with the goals of the Strategic Tourism Plan for La Orotava, aimed at showcasing a distinctive identity unique to the Canary Islands. La Orotava boasts the Cittaslow city seal, a prestigious designation held by only a handful of municipalities in Spain. This seal embodies the essence of a high quality of life, offering visitors the opportunity to experience and adopt this philosophy in their daily lives.