THE HIKER'S CODE:

1. Never go for a hike alone and be sure to stick to the signposted footpaths. Show respect for the lifestyle, privacy and property of local residents.
2. By keeping your noise levels down, you will discover just how much life there is all around you.
3. Take any rubbish with you, including organic waste. This will help preserve the beauty of the scenery and prevent the proliferation of rodents in the area. Take extra care with cigarette butts.
4. Removing plants, animals or other elements from the area may deprive it of irreplaceable resources.
5. Those in charge of taking caring of these Protected Nature Areas will appreciate you warning them of any incidents you may have noticed. To do so, contact the Environmental Department of the Island Council of Tenerife:

   Área de Medio Ambiente del Cabildo Insular de Tenerife

   • Tel.: (+34) 922239090
   • Email: coordinacionmam@tenerife.es

    

6. Be aware that the Island's countryside is as special as it is unpredictable. Please ensure you enjoy it responsibly and sensibly. Take extra care in nature areas and don't forget that accidents can happen.
7. Pay attention to signs.
8. Check the weather forecast to make sure the conditions are suitable.
9. Wear comfortable and sensible hiking gear and don't forget to take your mobile phone, sun cream, hat, jacket, raincoat, and enough food and water in your bag.
10. Let your family or friends know which route you will be taking and bear in mind the number of daylight hours you will need to complete your trip.

Approved trails are signposted and have an authority in charge of looking after them, which means these trails are safe for hikers to walk on.

The Tenerife Footpath Network has three types of routes:

• Long-Distance Footpaths. These are signalled with red and white colours and the letters GR. These lengthy footpaths take several days to cover, as they are over 50 km (30 miles) long.
• Short Footpaths. These are signalled with yellow and white colours and the letters PR. These footpaths are 10 to 50 km (6 to 30 miles) long. Some are less than 10 km long but have been classed as a PR because of the steep ground they cross, making the trail more difficult.
• Local Footpaths. These are signalled with green and white colours and the letters SL. They are less than 10 km (6 miles) long.

365 days a year. Except during occasional snowfall in winter, which affects the routes that cross the highest altitudes, and on specific days when the weather conditions are very poor, hiking is an activity for all seasons. Always check the weather forecast before setting off.

The equipment you will need for hiking depends on the distance and weather conditions, but there are a series of basic items that you should not go without.

• You will need to be in good physical shape to face trails that involve steep slopes, and bear in mind the altitude.
• You will need suitable hiking gear: boots, a backpack, water, food and so on. You will also need warm clothing (long trousers and a long sleeved shirt) and a walking pole.
• During the rainy season, take extra care not to slip on the wet ground.
• Don't forget to pack a waterproof and a sun hat in your backpack. Because of the altitude, the temperature can turn very quickly and may catch you by surprise.
• Take enough water and food to keep you going during the whole trip.
• Although you won't get a signal in some areas, you are strongly advised to take your mobile phone.

That depends on the area. If the trail passes through a protected area, a licence may be required. The tourist information centres will be happy to tell you when you might need authorisation.

To climb right up to the summit of Mount Teide, for instance, you will need a specific licence that you can apply for on the web site: www.reservasparquesnacionales.es

If you spend the night at the refuge, however, you can access the summit without that licence, provided you do so before 9 am. For more information, visit: www.telefericoteide.com/altavista

THE HIKER'S CODE:

1. Never go for a hike alone and be sure to stick to the signposted footpaths. Show respect for the lifestyle, privacy and property of local residents.
2. By keeping your noise levels down, you will discover just how much life there is all around you.
3. Take any rubbish with you, including organic waste. This will help preserve the beauty of the scenery and prevent the proliferation of rodents in the area. Take extra care with cigarette butts.
4. Removing plants, animals or other elements from the area may deprive it of irreplaceable resources.
5. Those in charge of taking caring of these Protected Nature Areas will appreciate you warning them of any incidents you may have noticed. To do so, contact the Environmental Department of the Island Council of Tenerife:

   Área de Medio Ambiente del Cabildo Insular de Tenerife

   • Tel.: (+34) 922239090
   • Email: coordinacionmam@tenerife.es

    

6. Be aware that the Island's countryside is as special as it is unpredictable. Please ensure you enjoy it responsibly and sensibly. Take extra care in nature areas and don't forget that accidents can happen.
7. Pay attention to signs.
8. Check the weather forecast to make sure the conditions are suitable.
9. Wear comfortable and sensible hiking gear and don't forget to take your mobile phone, sun cream, hat, jacket, raincoat, and enough food and water in your bag.
10. Let your family or friends know which route you will be taking and bear in mind the number of daylight hours you will need to complete your trip.

Approved trails are signposted and have an authority in charge of looking after them, which means these trails are safe for hikers to walk on.

The Tenerife Footpath Network has three types of routes:

• Long-Distance Footpaths. These are signalled with red and white colours and the letters GR. These lengthy footpaths take several days to cover, as they are over 50 km (30 miles) long.
• Short Footpaths. These are signalled with yellow and white colours and the letters PR. These footpaths are 10 to 50 km (6 to 30 miles) long. Some are less than 10 km long but have been classed as a PR because of the steep ground they cross, making the trail more difficult.
• Local Footpaths. These are signalled with green and white colours and the letters SL. They are less than 10 km (6 miles) long.

365 days a year. Except during occasional snowfall in winter, which affects the routes that cross the highest altitudes, and on specific days when the weather conditions are very poor, hiking is an activity for all seasons. Always check the weather forecast before setting off.

The equipment you will need for hiking depends on the distance and weather conditions, but there are a series of basic items that you should not go without.

• You will need to be in good physical shape to face trails that involve steep slopes, and bear in mind the altitude.
• You will need suitable hiking gear: boots, a backpack, water, food and so on. You will also need warm clothing (long trousers and a long sleeved shirt) and a walking pole.
• During the rainy season, take extra care not to slip on the wet ground.
• Don't forget to pack a waterproof and a sun hat in your backpack. Because of the altitude, the temperature can turn very quickly and may catch you by surprise.
• Take enough water and food to keep you going during the whole trip.
• Although you won't get a signal in some areas, you are strongly advised to take your mobile phone.

That depends on the area. If the trail passes through a protected area, a licence may be required. The tourist information centres will be happy to tell you when you might need authorisation.

To climb right up to the summit of Mount Teide, for instance, you will need a specific licence that you can apply for on the web site: www.reservasparquesnacionales.es

If you spend the night at the refuge, however, you can access the summit without that licence, provided you do so before 9 am. For more information, visit: www.telefericoteide.com/altavista