Rural, remote and rugged northwest Tenerife offers an enticing snapshot of the island's attributes. The ridge-top hamlet of Masca, the colonial village of Los Silos, epic coastal views and typical local lunch are just some of the stars of this tour. David, one of our expert local guides, says, "I call Teno Rural Park the Lost Kingdom. It's so raw and wild. It's hard to get to and hard to live in – and even harder to leave. I love its local specialities, such as fried cheese with mojo and barbary fig jam."
Depending on your departure point, the route differs – but you can expect to spend some time admiring Masca, Teno Alto, Los Silos and viewpoints such as Lomo Molino in the heart of Teno Rural Park. Masca, perched precariously on a precipice overlooking a deep gorge, is home to fewer than 100 villagers. For them, the dinky chapel, massive laurel tree and gorge view are an everyday treat. Beloved of hikers, Teno Alto is even smaller and situated between lunar landscapes and vegetation-rich hills.
Los Silos is the largest village you'll visit. The main square, with its gleaming neo-Gothic white church and octagonal bandstand, exudes the town's easy-going nature. You'll also enjoy a few pit stops at scenic viewpoints so you can drink in Teno's landscapes. And to round off the day, there's a typical Tenerife lunch in a family-run restaurant located on the saddle of mountain more than 1,000 metres above sea level. A perfect opportunity to sample local cuisine.
