Paisaje Lunar

The Lunar Landscape is very different from the other sights in Tenerife. Those who still doubt that nature is the best artist that exists have to visit this landscape of capricious shapes hidden on the highest slopes of the mountains in the south of the island of Tenerife. The Lunar Landscape is made up of numerous conical figures with a stylized appearance, which together resemble a modernist cathedral. Over thousands of years, erosion has chiselled them out of a hillside of thousands of sloping layers of fine, beige-colored volcanic ash. The result is an amazing spectacle that seems taken from another planet; hence its name. In fact, the white volcanic rock formations are one of the greatest natural wonders on the island of Tenerife. The white rock shaped by wind and time looks like there are many small towers located next to each other. Almost like a fairy tale landscape. But what kind of stone is it actually? Some authors refer to the white volcanic stone as pumice, others as tuff. Both pumice and tuff are volcanic rocks that are characterized by being rich in pores and fine-grained.

The only way to access this small corner hidden between pine-covered slopes is on foot along a path of medium-high difficulty and 13 kilometers round trip, which starts in the mountain town of Vilaflor. The walk begins directly at the lower church square. Diagonally to the big hiking sign there is a sign that cannot be missed. The trail you should follow is marked TF 72. I don’t like to give general schedules for the hiking trails, because the schedules are very individual. Hiking is supposed to be fun and relaxing. But this tour should last between 4.5 and 6 hours, depending on your pace, fitness and length of breaks. This is an easy and manageable route for everyone with a little physical shape. The trails are mostly wide, and easy to find with very good signage. Therefore, take enough water and, if necessary, food.