- Starting Point
- Type of Trail
- Distance
- Duration
- Los Cristianos
- Linear
- 5.4 Km
- 1.45 H
- Ending Point
- Dificulty
- Elevation
- Palm Mar
- Moderate
- 145 m
Route Highlights
-
Los Cristianos – starting point with ocean views and coastal cliffs.
-
Cliff-top plateau – wide, open views over Los Cristianos and the Atlantic Ocean.
-
Palm-Mar – small coastal town with a rocky beach, beach bars, and restaurants.
-
Malpaís de la Rasca – protected volcanic landscape with lava fields, tabaiba, and cardón plants.
-
Faro de Rasca Lighthouse – remote lighthouse at the southern tip, near swimming spots.
Information
This hike starts at the far end of Los Cristianos, near Calle la Marea. There’s convenient parking nearby. The trail isn’t marked, but it’s easy to follow — head slightly uphill and then turn right toward the ocean. The first section is about 800 meters uphill with a 121 m elevation gain.
At the top, you’ll get wide views over Los Cristianos and the surrounding coast.
The path continues along a flat cliffside area, not close to the edge, so it feels safe and open. After around 1.5 km, you’ll see the town of Palm-Mar. From here, the path descends — a bit rocky and can be slippery in regular shoes, but it’s not difficult. Good walking shoes are recommended — avoid flip-flops.
In Palm-Mar, you can swim at the small rocky beach or stop for a drink at one of the beach bars. There are also restaurants and supermarkets. From the descent point to the far end of the town where the nature reserve begins, it’s about 1.5 km. This is the only place along the route where you can buy food or water, so make sure to bring enough with you.
The trail continues into the Malpaís de la Rasca nature reserve — a protected area with lava terrain, small volcanic cones, and native dry-climate plants. You’ll walk about 3 km along the coast toward the Faro de Rasca lighthouse. The landscape is full of low shrubs like Tabaiba and Cardón, typical of southern Tenerife. There is no shade along the way, so bring a hat or something to cover your head.
If the weather allows, you can take a swim near the lighthouse. You return the same way. The full route is around 6 km round trip.
If you don’t feel like walking back, you can take a bus from Palm-Mar, but it requires a transfer and takes about 1 hour.
How to Get Here
By car:
Drive to Playa del Callao, located at the southern end of Los Cristianos. You can reach it via Avenida de Juan Carlos I or TF-655, depending on where you’re coming from. There’s a small parking area right at the beginning of the trail, near the rocky coastline.
By bus:
Take any TITSA bus that stops at the Los Cristianos main bus station (Intercambiador) — such as lines 467, 470, or 473. From the station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to Playa del Callao and the start of the hike. Head south through town along the coast or Avenida de Juan Carlos I to reach the trailhead.
Return:
After finishing in Palm Mar, catch the bus from Palm Mar El Mocán. You’ll need to transfer at Guaza (T) to get back to Los Cristianos or Costa Adeje. Walking the same trail back is also an option.
Discover Places Nearby
All the best places in one map – beaches, hikes, food, ocean pools, viewpoints, towns and more.
Save hours of searching and plan your trip in minutes.