Mountain biking
From sinuous singletrack in sheltered pine forests, to rocky climbs in the island's volcanic interior, Tenerife has hundreds of kilometres of marked mountainbike trails, linking up authentic Canarian villages and coastal resorts. Whether it's the gently rolling hills and deep ravines of the Las Lagunetas protected woodlands, or the peaks of the Volcanes Negros area, there are few more exciting ways to explore Tenerife than by mountain bike.
Road biking
There are road cycling routes for all abilities on this spectacular island; from rolling coastal rides to mountainous challenges along smooth tarmac that winds like ribbons from the sun-blessed coast to the 2,000m-plus slopes of Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide. Suffice to say that the road riding here is thrilling, varied and challenging enough for Tour de France winners to train on...
Hiking
Tenerife's geography and climate are perfect for on foot adventures where the island's diversity of landscapes in a short distance make for fascinating walks. Options range from self-guided routes linking observation points in Teide National Park under the summit of the volcano, to guided routes between historic churches, along ancient pilgrimage routes and through authentic Canarian villages. There is also the popular annual Tenerife Walking Festival in March and April.
Windsurfing
With over 300 windy days a year, El Médano on the south-east coast of Tenerife is a world-famous windsurfing location which hosts national and international competitions for the world's top athletes. Tenerife's multitude of coves, over 65km of beaches and sheltered bays mean that on almost any day of the year there are ideal windsurfing conditions somewhere around the island for everyone. For those who want lessons or equipment hire, there are many schools and outfitters based right on the beach.
Surfing
With Atlantic swells hitting and wrapping around the island, Tenerife's surf scene is legendary, with breaks for every taste and standard available. Whether you're a body-boarder or short-boarder looking for powerful hollow tubes breaking over volcanic reefs to duck into, or beginners looking for mellow breaks to ride to the sandy beach, there is a wave here for everyone to catch. Beginner will love the sandy breaks at Playo del Faro, while experts should head for the volcanic reef breaks of Punta Blanc and Las Conchas.
Scuba diving
Sea turtles, manta rays, sea breams, lizard fish, scorpion fish, bearded fireworms and a wondrous host of fascinating sea life, as well as wrecks and excellent visibility ranging from 10 to 30m make Tenerife's diving options a must all year round. There are many authorised diving schools and rental shops and top dive sites which range from the huge prism-shaped basalt rock formation of Atlántida on the north west corner of the island, to the sardine surrounded wreck of the Tabaiba on the ocean floor off Tenerife's north-east coast.
Climbing
The reddish, volcanic ignibrite rock landscape of Tenerife has the best rock climbing, sport climbing and bouldering in the whole Canaries, dominated by the 3,718m Mount Teide. Options range from the 250 single pitch sport climbs of the Arico area in the south of the island, to Guaria's high crags in the west of the island, and the 2,000m high sport, trad lines and bouldering, on the towers and faces of Las Canades in the spectacular Mount Teide National Park.
Caving
Tenerife's volcanic formation means it is home to hundreds of lava tubes, where molten lava once flowed. The biggest one of these is the Cuevo del Viento (Cave of the Wind) which was formed some 27,000 years ago by Pico Viejo, the ancient volcano which sits next to Mount Teide, and stretches to over 17km of galleries and passages. There are guided tours suitable for everyone from the age of 5 up.
Paragliding
An island with a sunny climate and a 3,718m dormant volcano in its centre is practically tailor-made for the thrilling sport of paragliding, with the most popular areas for doing it Taucho in the south east, La Corona in the north, Ladera de Güimar in the east of the island and Cumbre de Izaña in the east. This latter is in the Teide National Park, where you fly either north or south to the coast with incredible views from a starting point at 2,300m, giving you one of the biggest paragliding vertical descents in Europe.
Sailing
Take the sunshine of north Africa, over 300 windy days a year, marinas all around its coastline and the whole of the Atlantic Ocean to explore, and it's clear to see why Tenerife is such a world-class sailing destination. For beginners and those who want to take it easy, September is the best time of year to set sail, as that's when average wind speeds are more 'gentle'. The east and southeast are the windiest areas.
For more information on Tenerife and many more possibilities for active outdoor adventure, see webtenerife.co.uk
