The largest of the Canaries is gearing up to host the fifth annual edition of the Tenerife Walking Festival which will take place from 21 – 25 May 2019. Registration is still open and hikers are being encouraged to sign up fast.
Thanks to the variety of routes on offer and the diversity of Tenerife´s natural beauty, the Tenerife Walking Festival is considered to be one of the most outstanding hiking events in Europe.
The event is organised by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation in partnership with the European Hiking Association, the European Union of Mountain Associations, the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and the Federación Canaria of Mountaineering and covers the island´s best trails. These are divided into coastal, volcanic and forest hikes, which enable participants to discover a huge variety of terrain and protected landscapes. This includes the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park, which is famed for its remarkable volcanic scenery; the ancient laurel forest of Teno Rural Park; the charming village of Taganana, perched high above the Atlantic Ocean; and many more areas of stunning natural beauty.
All routes will begin in Puerto de la Cruz on the north side of the island, where celebrations will also take place to mark the end of the festival including musical performances and the chance to sample an array of local gastronomy. The event gains global recognition with over 10 different nationalities already set to take part this year, including members of Pakistan’s women’s mountain team who will be training for future expeditions during the festival. The festival acts as an important promotional activity for the island to raise awareness of its facilities for hiking holidays, which already prove popular with French, German, Swiss, Austrian and Dutch tourists.
According to data prepared by the Department of Tourism Research of Tenerife, almost 10% of the 5.8 million tourists (approximately 530,000) who visited the island in 2018 practised hiking, which equated to an income for Tenerife exceeding 20 million euros. Tenerife’s commitment to sustainability will also be maintained during the festival. To compensate for the carbon footprint caused by CO2 emissions related to the festival, an equivalent number of forest species will be planted on the island in agricultural areas currently in disuse.
For further inspiration, read Mark Bibby Jackson’s experience, Walking in Lanzarote, Land of Volcanoes.
The President of Tenerife, Carlos Alonso, explains the value of participating in this year´s event: “The Tenerife Walking Festival offers hikers the opportunity to discover Tenerife´s unique and breathtaking landscapes. Tenerife is truly the ideal destination for nature lovers, hiking addicts and avid explorers thanks to the island´s all-year round spring-like temperatures.”
The Tenerife Walking Festival is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples and individuals and is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded travellers and explore the island.
Registration costs €30 (approximately £26) and includes a welcome pack; daily transport to each trail; guided walks with a professional expert in Spanish, English, German or French; and a wristband to enjoy discounts in shops, restaurants, hotels and museums in Puerto de la Cruz, the festival’s home base. Participants must select at least three hikes prior to the event, which each have an additional cost.
For more information on the Tenerife Walking Festival or to register, then please visit: www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com/en/
