- Starting Point
- Type of Trail
- Distance
- Duration
- La Tejita
- Linear
- 3.3 Km
- 1.20 H
- Ending Point
- Dificulty
- Elevation
- El Medano
- Moderate
- 161 m
Route Highlights
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Start at Playa de La Tejita – Begin your hike near the sand dunes and head toward the red volcanic cone.
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Montaña Roja – A short climb leads to wide coastal views and a unique red landscape shaped by ancient explosions.
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Montaña Bocinegro (optional detour) – A smaller cone with WWII bunkers and a hidden seawater pool, La Mareta.
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Abandoned electric plant – Right by the ocean, it’s a surreal spot with graffiti-covered ruins.
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Montaña Pelada – Walk around the rim of this wide volcanic crater before descending toward El Médano.
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Finish in El Médano – A windy beach town perfect for a swim or food break.
Information
This one-way coastal hike starts at Playa de La Tejita, goes through El Médano, and ends at Montaña Pelada. Along the way, it passes through the Montaña Roja Nature Reserve, climbs two volcanic cones, and takes you past old military bunkers, an abandoned thermoelectric plant, and stretches of open coastline. It’s a great route if you want to explore the raw southern landscape of Tenerife.
The hike begins on the soft sand of Playa de La Tejita, the biggest natural and unspoiled beach in the south. From there, a short but steady climb takes you to the top of Montaña Roja, a volcanic cone with panoramic views of the Atlantic, Mount Teide, and even the airport runway below.
As you descend, the trail continues past Montaña Bocinegro, where you’ll come across abandoned military bunkers, a reminder of Tenerife’s coastal defense history. From here, you’ll already see the next stop ahead — the small coastal town of El Médano, famous for its excellent kite-surfing conditions and its relaxed atmosphere with small cafés and restaurants.
Leaving El Médano, the trail follows the coastline past Playa de la Jaquita. From there, you can either stay along the shore or make a short detour inland to see the abandoned thermoelectric plant, an eerie reminder of industrial ambitions that never fully materialized. The hike then continues toward Playa Pelada, a small sandy cove, and finally climbs up Montaña Pelada, another volcanic cone offering wide views over the southern coast.
How to Get Back
From El Médano, take TITSA bus 470 back to La Tejita (Los Abrigos stop) – the ride takes about 10 minutes.
Buses run regularly during the day. Always check the latest schedule.
How to Get Here
By car: Drive to Playa de La Tejita via TF-643 (road between El Médano and Los Abrigos). Park Here. This is where the hike starts.
By bus: Take TITSA Line 470 and get off at the La Tejita / Los Abrigos stop. From there, walk a few minutes to the beach.
After the hike, from El Médano you can catch the same bus (Line 470) back to La Tejita or continue to other parts of the island.
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