The Coastal Walk from Los Cristianos to Las Galletas - relatively easy

This coastal walk is from Los Cristianos to Las Galletas and is graded as easy to moderate. To start this walk, you get yourself to the far end of Los Cristianos, past the Arona Gran Hotel and the Costamar tower. There you'll see a derelict villa on the seafront. The trail begins along the coast, away from the town.

This is a walk frequented by many hikers and there are several trails that you can take. An interesting one leads up towards the cliffs. You are essentially climbing Montaña Guaza. It isn't too bad a climb and there are great views to be had at the top.

Montaña Guaza

This mountain doesn't have a summit as such - it's more a plateau - and, as you follow the track round it, you'll see many old quarries where stones used to be gathered to build farm walls and the terraces on the slopes. The rocky landscape contains a profusion of natural Tenerife vegetation.

The trail now begins to descend and leads you down into the village of Palm Mar. This is a good time to stop for a drink in one of the village's many tapas bars.

Photo: Mataparda

Refreshed, you then continue on, entering an area called Malpais de la Rasca. "Malpais" is Spanish for "bad country", so-called because it's quite desolate - the result of solidified fields of lava. The walk takes you around Punta de la Rasca towards a landmark - the lighthouse.

You are now on the last leg of the journey. You'll pass by banana plantations and abandoned farms, rounding a headland to discover a secluded beach that appears to have been kept secret from tourists.

Eventually you reach your destination - look for the Red Cross station on the Las Galletas beachfront.

After, maybe, a bite to eat, you can return to Los Cristianos by bus - the numbers 467, 470, or 473 will take you there.

Distance covered: about nine miles

Ascent and descent: 450 feet

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