The paradisical island of Tenerife often gets lauded for its status as a year-round holiday resort with its 12 Blue Flag beaches to recline on, hotel spas to unwind in, and nightlife hot spots to seek out.
In addition to this, and its popular position as a warm destination all year with a climate averaging 22 degrees centigrade, there are other factors that have made the island one of the most acclaimed destinations in Europe, with five million visitors every year.
Its natural resources and landscapes, ranging from leafy laurisilva forests to endless beaches; the Teide National Park – priceless evidence of its volcanic origins; its offer of leisure for the whole family; its charming historical towns; hundreds of incredible traditions, and its original and fresh cuisine are just a few of the elements in this innovative and modern destination, which is tailored to the tastes of today’s travellers.
In recent years, healthy lifestyles have become very important, and Tenerife has become the ideal destination to not only enjoy a relaxing holiday, but also feel the adrenaline by taking up different sport and leisure activities to maintain a wholesome balance. There is a whole world of sport and leisure activities to partake in, on land, water and by air, that result in Tenerife being the perfect outdoor gym, 365 days a year.
Tenerife No Limits is the one place where you can learn all there is about the varied sport and leisure activities available to visitors and locals on the island. The dedicated brand endorses Tenerife as the ideal destination to enjoy a wide range of sports and leisure activities, whether you’re an athlete looking to train or a family hoping to get active while on holiday. There is an outdoor pursuit for everyone to get involved in, not just as a way of being active but as an opportunity to explore the beautiful natural surroundings in a variety of exciting ways.
What activities and sports can Tenerife provide?
From caving to climbing, canyoning, swimming, golf, paragliding, deep sea fishing, freediving, kayaking, scuba diving and kite surfing, there are a plethora of ways in which the stunning scenery of Tenerife can be enjoyed. One of the more popular activities that not only gets the blood pumping, but is great for nearly all abilities, and affords travellers the chance to see more of what the island offers outside the norm, is cycling.
Popular with visitors from the UK especially, cycling is a great way to explore Tenerife’s large network of well-preserved roads, with many in areas of little traffic. On the island it is possible to cycle at a variety of different altitudes, with routes starting from sea level and scaling up to an altitude of 2,000 meters, alongside routes that incorporate roads at the foot of the magnificent Mount Teide. Thanks to its year-round excellent temperatures and diversity of routes available, Tenerife makes a great training location for professional cyclists and many visit each year in preparation for events such as the Tour de France, World Championships and even Olympic Games.
If taking things at a slower pace seems more inviting to you then you will be pleased to learn that the island has more than 1,500 kilometres of hiking trails, either officially approved or in the process of approval. They run through 43 natural protected spaces in Tenerife, representing practically half of its area (48%). Each one offers a unique itinerary, completely different to the one before. One of the most spectacular is the GR 131 trail (part of the E-7), which comes from Europe and crosses the island from north to south in an itinerary of 83 km through a wide range of landscapes, including El Teide.
The hiking and trail running Route 040 is regularly used by elite athletes for their training, as well as by amateurs. The route starts at Socorro Beach and continues towards Tigaiga and the Lance Viewpoint and from there it ascends to La Fortaleza, in the National Park, to finish with the climb to Mount Teide by Montaña Blanca. Route 040 is one of the most attractive routes in Spain, incorporating old roads that were previously in disuse or abandonment, it is the most varied route in the whole country, and it can be completed in one day.
Once you have cycled and hiked the length and breadth of the island, there is only one thing left to do, and that is head to the water. Kayaking is a popular way to explore the calm waters at your own pace and is a good activity for beginners and pros alike. This fashionable sport not only provides you with a great way to exercise, but affords you the opportunity to discover the spectacular landscapes of Tenerife, such as the Los Gigantes cliff (600 metres high), caves and natural coves. Another more serene way to explore the coast of your own volition is via stand-up paddle surfing. This model of water sports can be enjoyed in various areas in the east and southeast of the island and is ideal for enjoying alone, with a partner or with the whole family.
You are also invited to head underwater via scuba from 60 immersion points, which are distributed all around the coast. Dive down and take in the seabed teeming with life atop the sand, rock and volcanic reef where the sun shines through the crystal waters to a depth of 40 metres. Or head up and enjoy kite surfing from El Médano (Granadilla de Abona) – the ideal place to enjoy this sport, and one of the best in Europe. There is strong wind almost 300 days a year, and the water temperature varies from 16 degrees centigrade in winter to 26 degrees in summer, providing the ideal year-round exhilarating activity.
Whichever sport or activity you decide to partake in, you can be sure that it will truly enhance your stay on this majestic island.
For more information on Tenerife, visit webtenerife.co.uk/tenerife
All imagery provided by Turismo de Tenerife.
