{"id":32251,"date":"2024-11-08T15:53:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T14:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leo-reuter.de\/siebeninseln\/?p=32251"},"modified":"2024-11-08T15:56:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T14:56:39","slug":"el-contador-hike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leo-reuter.de\/siebeninseln\/en\/tenerife\/el-contador-hike\/","title":{"rendered":"Circular hike from Arico to the El Contador rest area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The El Contador Recreational Area<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


El Contador is a secluded rest area, located 1,250 meters high in the mountains on the eastern side of Tenerife. The surroundings are lush with dense bushes and Canarian pine forests. Among the wildlife species in this area, you can find blue rock thrushes, woodpeckers, various beetles, and butterflies. This popular recreational spot, particularly with locals at weekends, is reachable by a small road from Villa Arico.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"El<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Camping here is allowed with prior permission. Close to the recreational area, there are also some traditional country houses and old terraced fields. Steep cliffs lie below, dropping down into equally impressive ravines. This hike will take you across several of these ravines, offering stunning views from high above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Steep<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Arico hike to the El Contador rest area<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


This roughly 19-kilometer-long hike takes you from Arico up into the heights. You\u2019ll face some very steep sections along the ascent, but with fantastic views over the eastern coast of Tenerife and even to the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria. In total, you\u2019ll climb 1,250 meters in altitude. Once you reach the higher ground, the route continues at elevation, crossing towards El Contador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


This section also has a few ups and downs, as you cross over large ravines, each offering spectacular views of the surrounding cliff faces. On reaching El Contador with a gentle descent, it\u2019s time for a well-deserved rest. The descent follows a different path down the ridge, with more beautiful scenery along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Track<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


General Information on the Arico – El Contador Circular Hike<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Starting Point and Directions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


The starting point for this hike is Calle de la Degollada in Arico, at around 430 meters altitude. Begin at the point where the road bends to the left past the last houses of Arico. This spot also marks the convergence of two hiking trails, PR-TF 86.2 and PR-TF 86.3. Start by following the first trail, and return along the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Getting there by car<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


If you\u2019re coming from the north or south, take the TF-1 motorway and exit at 39 Poris de Abona towards Arico Viejo on the TF-625. Continue straight into the village on the TF-625. At the junction with the TF-28, go straight up Calle de la Degollada. Continue a bit further and look for a parking spot along the roadside. Alternatively, you can park in designated spaces at the junction below in the village and walk up to the starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Getting there by bus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


By bus, you can reach Arico Viejo and Arico Nuevo with Titsa line 430. For more information, check the Titsa <\/a>website<\/a>. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Time estimates for hikes are subjective; our round trip with an extended rest at El Contador took us about 7 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elevation<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Elevation and distance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The hike covers a difference of approximately 1,150 meters in altitude and is 19 kilometers long.ilometer lang.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n



Requirement\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Though the paths are well-maintained throughout, I\u2019d still rate this hike as difficult due to some very steep climbs. You\u2019ll need a bit of surefootedness and a good head for heights, as well as a very good fitness level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Refreshments<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


There are no refreshment options along the route except in Arico at the start and end. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Track<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Variants\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


If you don\u2019t want to hike all the way to El Contador, you can also drive from Villa de Arico up to the rest area and start a shorter walk from there. The easy high altitude hike over Arico<\/a> might be a good option for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another shorter hike from El Contador is covered in a separate article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


If you prefer smaller loops around Arico, I have three hiking suggestions for you on SiebenInseln:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Circular hike with cave visit over Arico\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Two hikes around Arico and the Barranco Tamadaya\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"View<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


    Circular hike Arico – El Contador<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


    Section Arico, Calle de la Degollada to the caves above Arico<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


    Start your hike at the location described above in Calle de la Degollada in Arico at around 430 meters altitude. From there, follow hiking trail PR-TF 86.2 down to the Barranco Tamadaya. This short section is also part     of the Arico cave visit hike.<\/a> The path gradually descends along the hillside, passing terraced fields and scattered farms until reaching the bottom of the barranco. Here, follow the barranco leftwards for a short stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Ruined<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


    You then cross a side ravine to the right and climb back up along the opposite side of the Barranco Tamadaya. The trail then runs for a while above the barranco. Soon, you\u2019ll cross a canal on the right, which you can follow to visit some caves above the hiking trail. From up there, enjoy views of the area around the Barranco Tamadaya. Then, continue following the trail, which runs parallel above the barranco and climbs gradually.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"after<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


    Section caves above Arico to canal crossing<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


    Next, the path climbs to the right in broad switchbacks. After the switchbacks, the trail continues along a ridge with sweeping views. You\u2019ll pass the abandoned Casas de Tamadaya de Abajo and later Casas de Tamadaya de Arriba ruins. Shortly after these latter ruins, a path branches left down into the Barranco Tamadaya. This is part of     another SiebenInseln circular route through Arico that also leads to the Galer\u00eda Tamadaya.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"the<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


    For this hike, keep going straight along the ridge. The path rises steeply above the Barranco Chapas de la Jeringa before bringing you around the Barranco el Seco. After crossing the ravine, there\u2019s an option to descend rightward back     towards Arico<\/a>, but instead, follow the signposted route to El Contador, which leads you upward along a canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Steep<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


    Section canal crossing to the El Contador cross-path<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n


    Continue climbing in switchbacks until reaching a broad area with terraced fields. The trail then heads steeply uphill to the left. You\u2019re now at around 1,150 meters and continue climbing through pine forest. From here, you\u2019ll see impressive cliff faces beneath the El Contador area to your left. The trail becomes narrower and steeper as it follows the cliffside upwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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