Tenerife: Los Arcos Canyoning Tour with Guide

Los Arcos de Chimoche gives you a rare way to see Tenerife: not from a road or viewpoint, but from inside a dry volcanic canyon. The main event is a sequence of eight rappels, beginning with a 22-meter descent down warm orange rock shaped by volcanic ash and erosion.

I like the small groups, capped at eight people, and the careful instruction from guides such as Jorge. I also like that you get photos, accident insurance, and canyoning equipment in the $82 price. The main drawback is the approach walk: you’ll hike uphill or along a gentle forest track for about 45 minutes before the first rope descent, and this is not a casual sightseeing outing.

Key points

• Eight rappels through volcanic rock: The descent offers repeated rope work rather than one brief abseil.
• A 22-meter first drop: The opening rappel sets the tone and can feel serious if you are new to heights.
• Orange walls and green moss: Light changes the color of the canyon as you move through its narrow sections.
• A guide-led beginner introduction: Jorge is praised for patient instruction, safety checks, and local nature knowledge.
• Small groups of up to eight: This gives the guide time to help each person through the technical sections.
• A full six-hour outing: Allow time for the forest approach, canyon descent, and walk back to Aguamansa.

Why Los Arcos feels different from a regular Tenerife hike

Tenerife is famous for Teide, coastal towns, and high mountain roads. Los Arcos offers something more enclosed and physical. You follow a dry canyon formed as volcanic ash built up and later wore away, leaving orange walls, narrow passages, and rock shapes that are easy to miss from above.

The color is a major part of the appeal. Moss clings to sections of the orange stone, and changing light creates several shades as you move deeper into the gorge. This is not a polished attraction with railings and signs. The scenery feels raw, and your attention shifts between footholds, rope technique, and the walls around you.

You should not expect waterfalls or swimming pools on this route. The description presents Los Arcos as a dry canyon, so the attraction is the geology, rappelling, walking, and sense of moving through a tucked-away part of Tenerife.

The 45-minute approach through Aguamansa

The meeting point is Mirador de La Bermeja, near Aguamansa, at the location marked 8FXP+CC Aguamansa. From there, the approach to the canyon takes about 45 minutes on a forest track with a gentle slope.

That walk matters for two reasons. First, it is your warm-up before the technical part begins. Second, it gives you time to settle into the group and ask questions before putting on the rope equipment. You are not transported directly to a canyon entrance, so plan for a real outdoor outing from the start.

Wear proper hiking shoes or trail-running shoes. Ordinary casual sneakers are not listed as acceptable, and the route includes walking over uneven ground. Hiking boots can be rented, but you need to contact the activity provider in advance to request them.

Pack water, food, warm clothing, rain gear, and a daypack. Long trousers are optional, but they may be a sensible choice for an activity involving rock, vegetation, and rope work. One useful caution from the experience is that stinging nettles can grow in the area, so watch where you place your hands and feet during the approach.

If you drive from the north, especially from La Orotava, take the TF-21 toward El Teide. GPS apps may send you along shortcuts that are steep and narrow. The safer choice is to stay on the signed main road rather than blindly following the quickest route.

The 15-minute safety briefing

Before the descent, the guide gives a safety briefing lasting about 15 minutes. This is not filler. For a first canyoning trip, it is where you learn how to use the equipment, move toward the edge, and follow instructions during each rappel.

The guide’s role is especially important because the first drop is about 22 meters. That is high enough to make some beginners pause, even if they are otherwise comfortable outdoors. Jorge is repeatedly praised for explaining each step, checking equipment, giving people time, and helping nervous participants handle the first descent.

You do not need to arrive as an experienced climber. The activity is built around instruction, and several first-time participants found the technical sections approachable with the guide’s help. Still, you do need to be willing to follow directions and manage a height-based activity.

A good guide does more than attach you to a rope. The strongest part of this experience is the steady rhythm of explanation, checking, and encouragement before each descent. You may also get information about the canyon’s formation, local plants, endemic fauna, and Tenerife food and drink. Jorge is known for adding those details without losing sight of safety.

Eight rappels inside the orange canyon

Once you enter Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche, the tour becomes a sequence of rope descents and short movements through the canyon. The full guided canyon section lasts about 3 hours and 45 minutes, so you get much more than a single dramatic rappel for a photograph.

The 22-meter opening descent is the biggest headline feature, but the variety of the eight passages is what makes the route satisfying. Each section asks you to pay attention to body position, rope movement, and the guide’s instructions. The activity uses single-rope technique, so you are learning a real canyoning skill rather than simply being lowered as a passenger.

The canyon walls are the visual reward between technical sections. Warm orange stone, moss, shade, and bright openings create changing views as you proceed. The narrow spaces make the rock feel close and immediate. You can look up at the formations, but you also need to keep an eye on where you step.

This is where the group limit helps. With no more than eight participants, the guide can focus on each person at the rope stations. If one member needs extra time, the experience is less likely to feel like a race. That said, a six-hour activity can feel long if you dislike waiting for others or prefer a fast hike.

The canyon is not risk-free simply because it suits beginners. Small rocks may shift in the area, and one account describes a minor fall of tiny stones. The guide’s instructions and your attention still matter. Keep your helmet and equipment properly fitted, listen at each station, and avoid treating the descent as a casual photo stop.

Nature notes between the rope sections

The geology gives Los Arcos much of its character. Volcanic ash accumulated, then erosion gradually cut through it. The result is a canyon with unusual orange walls and arches rather than the pale limestone forms you may know from mainland canyoning.

The guide can add useful context as you go. Jorge is praised for explaining how the rock formed and pointing out local plant and animal life, including endemic fauna. Those small observations help you see the canyon as a living place, not only an obstacle course.

The moss is especially striking against the orange stone. Light can turn the walls from muted rust to brighter copper, with green patches breaking up the color. You will not get the same view at every turn, which makes the route feel more like exploration than a set of repeated rope stations.

Take the photo service as a welcome extra, not the reason to book. Photos are included, and the guide has been praised for taking good action and group pictures. You can concentrate on the descent instead of trying to hold a phone while using the rope. Bring only what you can carry securely, since a daypack must not interfere with the equipment.

Walking back to Aguamansa

After the eight rappels, you reach the Chimoche track. The technical part ends here, but the outing is not quite finished. You walk back to the starting point in roughly 30 to 35 minutes.

This final walk is shorter than the approach and gives you time to cool down and talk about the route. You may be tired by then, particularly if you are new to canyoning or unused to a full day on uneven ground. Comfortable shoes and water make a difference.

The total duration is six hours. That includes the approach, briefing, canyon section, and return walk, so do not schedule a tight afternoon commitment. The activity is best treated as the main event of your day.

What the $82 price includes

At $82 per person, this is good value if you want a guided introduction rather than simply a short scenic walk. The price includes the canyoning guide, all canyoning equipment, accident insurance, and photos of the experience.

Equipment is a meaningful part of the cost. You do not need to arrange the rope system or bring specialized canyoning gear yourself. You still need hiking shoes, clothing, food, and water, and hotel pickup is not included.

The small group also adds value. A maximum of eight people allows more direct help at the rappels than a large commercial outing. If the guide is Jorge, the experience may also include practical advice about Tenerife, local food, drinks, and nearby places to visit. One particularly local touch mentioned in connection with the tour is the barraquito, a Tenerife coffee drink.

There are no food or drinks included, so bring your own supplies. Reserve-and-pay-later booking is available, and you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those policies make the booking easier to fit around changing island plans, but they do not remove the need to check the starting time and arrive ready for a six-hour outdoor activity.

Who should book Los Arcos

I would recommend this tour to adults and older teenagers who want a physical Tenerife experience and are curious about rappelling. It suits beginners especially well if you are willing to learn, listen, and give yourself time on the first descent.

It is also a good choice if you have already done outdoor rope activities and want a scenic half-day route rather than an indoor climbing session. The eight rappels give experienced participants something to work through, while the guide provides the structure a beginner needs.

You should not book if you are afraid of heights or have a medical condition that makes rope work and uneven walking unsuitable. The activity is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, people with back, heart, mobility, or epilepsy concerns, people over 65, or anyone weighing more than 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed. The activity is offered in English and Spanish, so choose it only if you can follow safety instructions in one of those languages.

Practical preparation for a smoother day

Start with footwear. Hiking shoes or trail-running shoes are required, and rented hiking boots may be available if arranged with the provider. Avoid bringing loose items that can fall or become caught in the equipment.

Dress for changing conditions. The canyon can be cool or damp in places even when Tenerife feels warm elsewhere. Warm clothing and rain gear are specifically recommended, while long trousers are optional. Pack food and water because neither is supplied.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is not a quick photo excursion, and you will spend a fair amount of time walking, waiting your turn, handling equipment, and listening to instructions. That is also why the day feels substantial for the price.

If you are nervous, say so early. The guide can explain the technique again and help you approach each descent in stages. The first 22-meter rappel may be the hardest mental hurdle, but you do not need to act fearless. Calm, clear communication is more useful than bravado.

Should you book this canyoning tour?

Book it if you want to see a striking volcanic canyon while learning a genuine outdoor skill. The strongest reasons are the eight rappels, the orange and moss-covered rock, the small group size, included equipment and photos, and the guide’s patient focus on safety.

Skip it if you want an easy walk, dislike heights, or cannot comfortably manage a 45-minute approach followed by several hours of technical activity. For the right person, Los Arcos offers one of Tenerife’s more memorable active outings, with enough instruction for a first attempt and enough variety to keep the descent interesting.

FAQ

Where does the Los Arcos canyoning tour meet?

Meet the guide at the Mirador de La Bermeja, near Aguamansa, at the location marked 8FXP+CC Aguamansa.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts six hours. This includes the approach walk, safety briefing, guided canyon descent, and walk back to the starting point.

How many rappels are included?

You complete eight rappels in the canyon. The first descent is approximately 22 meters.

Is the canyon dry?

Yes. Los Arcos is described as a dry canyon formed by volcanic ash accumulation and erosion.

Is canyoning equipment provided?

Yes. The guide and all canyoning equipment are included. Hiking boots may be available to rent if you contact the activity provider in advance.

What shoes should I wear?

You must wear hiking shoes or trail-running shoes. Casual footwear is not listed as suitable.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, the activity includes a safety briefing and instruction from a live guide. You should still be comfortable with heights, walking, and following rope safety instructions.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.