Tenerife: Los Arcos Canyoning Tour with Guide

Los Arcos Canyon is a dry volcanic gorge where eight rappels lead you through warm orange rock, moss, narrow passages, and changing light. The first descent drops about 22 meters, so you get the real thrill early, with Jorge giving clear instructions before each move.

I like the small group, limited to eight people, and the way the tour adds geology, plants, and local tips to the rope work. I also like that gear, photos, and accident insurance are included. The catch is the approach and return: you walk for roughly 45 minutes before the canyon and about 30 to 35 minutes afterward, and this is not a good fit if heights, steep terrain, or strenuous activity worry you.

Key points to know before you book

• Eight rappels through a dry volcanic canyon: The route gives you repeated practice rather than one short abseil.
• A 22-meter first descent: You face the biggest psychological hurdle near the start, with instruction and rope checks beforehand.
• Small groups of up to eight: The guide can give each person time and help at the technical sections.
• Guide Jorge adds more than rope instruction: Expect explanations about the canyon’s formation, local plants, animals, food, and drinks.
• Six hours with walking included: The total time covers the approach, canyon route, and return walk, not six hours on ropes.
• Bring proper shoes and warm layers: Hiking shoes or trail-running shoes are required, and conditions can feel cool in the forest and canyon.

Why Los Arcos feels different from a standard Tenerife outing

Tenerife is best known for the summit of Teide and its ocean views, but Los Arcos shows you another side of the island. Here, volcanic ash and long-term erosion have shaped a canyon of orange stone. Moss clings to parts of the walls, and the light shifts the rock from muted rust to stronger shades of orange.

The canyon is dry, so this is not a wet canyoning trip with swimming or water jumps. The action comes from rope work, scrambling through rock, walking narrow sections, and managing your body on the descent. That makes the tour appealing if you want canyoning technique and mountain scenery without a water-based route.

I also like the sense of discovery. You do not simply arrive at a viewpoint, take a photograph, and leave. You move through the gorge itself, seeing details that disappear from the road or from a marked walking path. The route’s narrow corners and rock formations make the canyon feel more enclosed and active than a normal Tenerife sightseeing stop.

The trade-off is physical effort. Six hours sounds generous, but only part of that time is spent rappelling. You need to walk uphill or along a gentle forest track for about 45 minutes before reaching the first descent, then walk back for about half an hour after leaving the canyon. You should be comfortable being on your feet for much of the day.

Meeting at Mirador de La Bermeja

The meeting point is Mirador de La Bermeja, near Aguamansa, at the listed location 8FXP+CC Aguamansa. You arrange your own transport, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

If you drive from the north, from the La Orotava area, use the TF-21 and follow the signs toward El Teide. This matters because GPS apps may send you along shortcuts that use very steep and narrow roads. I would follow the main signed route rather than automatically trusting the fastest option shown on your phone.

Plan your arrival with enough time to find the meeting point and sort your equipment. The activity takes place in a mountain setting, so warm clothing and rain gear belong in your daypack even if Tenerife feels sunny and warm at the coast. Weather can change with elevation, and you will appreciate having an extra layer before or after the canyon.

The 45-minute approach through the forest

The route begins with a forest track and a gentle slope. The approach takes about 45 minutes, giving you time to settle into the group and meet the guide before the technical part begins.

This walk is not just dead time. It lets you warm up and get used to the terrain before handling ropes. It also gives the guide a chance to explain how the day will work and answer basic questions. If you are new to canyoning, this gradual start is useful because you are not thrown straight into a complicated descent.

Still, you should not treat the approach as a casual stroll. Hiking shoes or trail-running shoes are required. The operator offers hiking boots for rent, but you need to contact the provider ahead of time to request them. Bring water, food, and a small daypack, since meals and drinks are not included.

Long trousers are optional, but they may be useful for the walking sections and contact with rock or vegetation. One practical warning comes from the route itself: stinging nettles have been noticed in the area, so watch where you place your hands and feet as you walk.

The briefing and the 22-meter first rappel

At Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche, the formal safety briefing lasts about 15 minutes. The guide explains the equipment, the descent technique, and how to move through the canyon safely. You then begin with a rappel of roughly 22 meters.

For a first-timer, this is the moment that defines the day. A 22-meter wall is high enough to make your stomach notice, but the setup gives you a clear lesson in what the activity requires. You learn how to position yourself, manage the rope, and follow instructions while descending. Jorge has been praised for explaining each step patiently, checking equipment, and helping people who feel nervous at the edge.

You should expect the guide to control the technical setup and direct your movements, but you still need to listen carefully and take an active part in the descent. This is not a ride where you simply hang on. Your feet, hands, body position, and pace all matter.

The first rappel can also be a useful test. If you find that heights are a serious problem, the rest of the canyon may feel difficult. The activity is specifically unsuitable for people afraid of heights, and it also excludes people with heart problems, back problems, epilepsy, mobility impairments, and pregnant women. Children under 13 and people over 65 are not accepted, as are people over 110 kilograms.

Eight descents through orange and moss-covered rock

After the opening rappel, the route continues through a series of eight rope sections. The different passages give the day variety. You are not repeating the exact same wall eight times, and the canyon changes as you move between open rock, tighter corridors, and mossy surfaces.

The geology is a major part of the appeal. The canyon formed through the accumulation of volcanic ash and erosion over time. That explanation gives the rock a story, rather than making it just a backdrop for photographs. Jorge also explains local flora and fauna, and one particularly useful aspect of his guiding is that he connects the rope work to the wider island.

The orange walls are the visual star. Moss adds green patches, while sunlight creates different shades across the stone. You may find the best views are not the grand panoramic ones but the smaller details: a change in texture, a narrow turn, or a strip of light reaching the canyon floor.

The route uses single-rope technique. That phrase matters if you have never canyoned before. You will learn a practical method used across the descent, rather than simply completing one guided abseil for the photograph. The guide sets the pace, and the small group size helps because each person may need a different amount of time at the edge.

This is also where the activity’s balance of thrill and learning works well. The technical passages give you a clear physical goal, while the geology and plant life keep the day from becoming a sequence of rope stations. You get an active outing with a sense of place.

What Jorge adds to the day

The guide is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular trip. Jorge is repeatedly described as friendly, patient, safety-focused, and skilled at teaching beginners. He checks how people are doing during the route and gives each person time to complete the descents.

That patience matters most when you are standing above a 22-meter drop or trying to remember several instructions at once. A good guide reduces confusion without taking away the challenge. Jorge also answers questions about equipment and explains how the canyon formed, along with details about Tenerife’s plants and animals.

The experience can include useful island advice beyond the canyon. Jorge has shared suggestions about local food and drinks, including advice about barraquito, Tenerife’s layered coffee drink. Those small touches help turn a technical activity into a fuller introduction to the area.

English and Spanish are available. The group is limited to eight participants, which is a sensible size for a route requiring rope setup, individual descents, and close attention to safety. A larger group would likely mean more waiting and less personal instruction.

Returning on foot after the canyon

Once you complete the eight rappels, you reach the Chimoche track. The canyoning section lasts about 3 hours and 45 minutes according to the planned schedule, while the full outing takes six hours.

From the end of the descent, you walk back to the starting point. The stated return walk is about 30 to 35 minutes. This is usually a welcome change after the concentration required on the ropes, but it still adds to the physical demand of the day.

You finish where you started, without a hotel transfer. Since food and drinks are not included, carry enough water and pack something to eat. A daypack is listed as essential equipment, and you should keep it small enough to manage comfortably during the walking portions.

What the $82 price includes

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Tenerife, but the price covers several items that would otherwise add cost or hassle. You get a canyoning guide, all canyoning equipment, accident insurance, and photos of the experience.

The photos are especially useful because you may not want to handle a phone while managing a rappel. The guide can capture the day while you focus on the instructions and the scenery. Equipment is also important: buying or transporting specialist canyoning gear for one holiday would make little sense for most people.

The price is strongest for first-timers. You are paying for instruction, safety management, equipment, route access, and a full half-day-plus outing in a setting that would be difficult to experience independently. More experienced canyoners may judge the value differently if they already own equipment and want a faster or more technical route.

The tour also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. Those terms give you some flexibility, though mountain weather and operator decisions can still affect outdoor plans.

Who should book this canyoning tour?

I would recommend it to active adults and older teenagers who want a first canyoning experience with clear instruction. It is especially suited to people who enjoy mountain walks, are curious about Tenerife’s volcanic geology, and want something more hands-on than a viewpoint visit.

You do not need to arrive as an expert. The repeated descents allow you to learn as you go, and the guide’s teaching style is aimed at helping beginners feel secure. You do, however, need to accept heights and be ready to follow directions carefully.

I would think twice if your main goal is swimming, waterfalls, or water jumps. Los Arcos is a dry canyon, so its character is orange rock, rope descents, moss, narrow passages, and views rather than splashing through pools.

You should also reconsider if you dislike long active outings, have any of the listed medical restrictions, or are uncomfortable with a 22-meter first rappel. This is an adventure activity, not a gentle sightseeing walk.

FAQ

How long does the Los Arcos canyoning tour take?

The activity lasts about six hours. This includes a 15-minute safety briefing, a guided canyoning section of about 3 hours and 45 minutes, the approach walk, and the return walk.

How many rappels are included?

The route includes eight rappels. The first descent is about 22 meters.

Is this a wet canyoning tour?

No. Los Arcos is described as a dry canyon. The activity focuses on rappelling, walking, rock passages, and volcanic scenery rather than swimming or water obstacles.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes all canyoning equipment, a canyoning guide, accident insurance, and photos of the experience. Hiking boots may be available to rent, but you must contact the activity provider to request them.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, water, food, rain gear, hiking shoes or trail-running shoes, long trousers if you want them, and a daypack. Food and drinks are not included.

Who cannot take part?

The tour is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, people with epilepsy, people afraid of heights, people over 65, or people over 110 kilograms. Smoking and vaping are not allowed.

Should you book Los Arcos?

Book this tour if you want a well-supported introduction to canyoning and like the idea of learning rope skills in a striking volcanic gorge. The combination of eight descents, a small group, included equipment and photos, and Jorge’s patient instruction gives the $82 price solid value for a first-time participant.

Skip it if you want a relaxed walk, dislike heights, or are searching for a water canyon. For the right person, though, Los Arcos offers a memorable way to see Tenerife from inside its volcanic rock, one controlled rappel at a time.