Tenerife: Los Arcos Canyoning Tour with Guide

Los Arcos is not a splashy canyon with pools and waterfalls. Its appeal is the warm orange rock, narrow passages, moss, and the steady rhythm of eight rappels through a dry volcanic gorge. The first descent drops about 22 meters, so you get the big test early.

I like two things here. First, guide Jorge takes time to explain the rope work, geology, plants, and animals instead of treating the canyon as a simple obstacle course. Second, the small group limit of eight keeps the day personal and gives you room to ask questions. The main drawback is the access walk: you hike about 45 minutes before the first rappel, then another 30 to 35 minutes at the end. This is an active outing, not a quick scenic stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight rappels through a dry volcanic canyon: The route uses single-rope technique, with a 22-meter first descent.
• Jorge leads the experience: He is praised for clear instruction, patience, safety checks, and local knowledge.
• Small groups of up to eight: You get more attention than on a large adventure tour.
• A six-hour outdoor commitment: Allow time for the forest approach, canyon route, and walk back.
• All technical equipment and photos are included: You only need to bring personal clothing, food, water, and footwear.
• Best for active adults and confident beginners: Children under 13, people over 65, and several medical or mobility categories are not accepted.

What makes Los Arcos different from a water canyon

Los Arcos de Chimoche is a dry canyon formed by volcanic ash accumulating over time, followed by erosion. That gives the route a look unlike Tenerife’s greener walking paths or seaside activities. The rock walls glow orange in the light, while moss adds green shades in the cooler, more sheltered sections.

You are not heading into a canyon filled with swimming holes. The adventure comes from moving through the rock formations, managing ropes, and handling the changes in height and direction. Several sections are narrow, and the route offers views across Tenerife as you move through the gorge.

I like this kind of canyoning because the scenery keeps changing without needing a long list of stunts. One moment you are looking at the volcanic walls. The next, you are concentrating on foot placement and the guide’s instructions. The setting gives the activity a strong sense of place.

The canyon also has a story beneath the fun. Jorge explains how ash, erosion, and time shaped the rock. He may point out local flora and fauna along the way, adding useful context without turning the day into a geology lecture.

Meeting at Mirador de La Bermeja

The meeting point is Mirador de La Bermeja. The activity information also gives the starting and finishing location as 8FXP+CC Aguamansa, so check the exact meeting instructions carefully before setting out.

If you drive from the north, especially from La Orotava, take the TF-21 toward El Teide. The route information warns that GPS can send you onto steep, narrow shortcuts. I would follow the main road and posted signs rather than blindly accepting the quickest route suggested by your phone.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. That matters if you are staying elsewhere on Tenerife, because you need to plan your own transport to the meeting point and allow time to park, change, and meet the guide.

The 45-minute walk before the ropes begin

The approach starts on a forest track with a gentle slope. You walk for about 45 minutes before reaching the start of the descent. This is not an extreme hike, but it does add real exertion to the day.

I see the approach as useful preparation. It gives you time to warm up, settle into the group, and get used to the terrain before you handle the rope system. It also means you should not arrive expecting to rappel within minutes of parking.

Wear proper hiking shoes or trail-running shoes. Ordinary casual trainers are not listed as acceptable footwear. Long trousers are optional, but they can be useful against rough rock and plants. One person specifically noted stinging nettle in the area, so keeping your arms and legs controlled around vegetation is sensible.

The 15-minute safety briefing

Before the route begins, you receive about 15 minutes of safety instruction. This is where you learn how the equipment works and how to position yourself during a descent.

For a first canyoning outing, this briefing is central to the experience. Rappelling is not just sitting back in a harness and letting the rope do everything. You need to listen, control your movement, and follow the guide’s directions at each station.

Jorge’s approach is a strong part of the day. He is repeatedly praised for explaining each step clearly, checking equipment, and giving nervous participants time to settle down. Several first-timers found the activity approachable because he stayed patient during the first descent.

That does not make the canyon risk-free. Heights are part of the activity, and you need to be comfortable following instructions in exposed places. If you are afraid of heights, this is not the right outing.

The 22-meter first rappel

The first rappel is about 22 meters. It is a serious opening descent, especially if this is your first time using canyoning equipment.

Starting with the tallest or one of the tallest drops can be useful because you face the main challenge before fatigue sets in. Once you understand the system and complete that first descent, the following sections may feel more manageable. Still, you should expect a genuine adrenaline rush here.

The guide prepares the rope system and talks you through your position and movement. You do not need previous canyoning experience, but you do need to pay close attention. The activity is designed for beginners as well as people with some experience, according to the practical details and past feedback.

This is also the point where the group’s small size helps. With no more than eight participants, the guide can give individual attention instead of rushing everyone through a crowded sequence.

Eight descents through orange and mossy rock

After the first rappel, the route continues through eight passages using single-rope technique. The canyon is the real attraction between descents. The orange walls, moss, tight turns, and changing light give the route variety.

The colors are especially appealing. Sunlight catches the volcanic rock in different ways, and moss darkens the walls in shaded areas. You are moving through a natural formation created by ash and erosion, not a purpose-built adventure park.

Some sections require careful movement rather than a dramatic drop. You might walk, pause, adjust your equipment, and then prepare for the next rappel. That mix keeps the outing from becoming repetitive. It also means the six-hour duration includes more than time hanging on a rope.

Jorge adds value by explaining the canyon’s geology and pointing out local plants and animals. He also gives practical Tenerife suggestions, including food and drink tips. One unusual detail from a past outing was a recommendation for barraquito, a local coffee drink. That sort of local advice can make a guided activity feel connected to the island rather than isolated from it.

The group atmosphere matters too. You are sharing technical sections and waiting your turn, so patience and a cooperative attitude help. The experience is active and social, but the limited group size keeps it from feeling like a mass outing.

Finishing at the Chimoche track

After the eight rappels, you reach the Chimoche track. This marks the end of the canyon descent, but not the end of the activity.

You then walk back toward the starting point for about 30 minutes, with the detailed schedule allowing roughly 35 minutes on foot. That final walk is shorter than the approach, yet your legs may feel the day by then. Bring enough water and food, since neither is supplied.

The walk out gives you time to cool down and talk through the route. It also helps explain why the total outing lasts six hours. The technical canyon section is listed at about 3 hours and 45 minutes, with the safety briefing and walking time filling out the rest.

What the $82 price includes

At $82 per person, this is not a bargain-priced sightseeing activity, but the package includes the costly and important parts of a technical outdoor outing. You receive:

• A canyoning guide
• All canyoning equipment
• Accident insurance
• Photos of the experience

The equipment and instruction are the main value. Buying or renting ropes, harnesses, helmets, and related gear for one holiday would make little sense for most people. You are also paying for route management, safety decisions, and a guide who knows how to organize the descents.

The free photos add a nice extra. You can concentrate on the activity instead of trying to take pictures while handling the rope. The tour does not include food, drinks, or transport, so your actual cost will be higher if you need to arrange a rental car, taxi, or other way to reach Aguamansa.

The reserve-now, pay-later option and cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity make booking less rigid. Those policies are useful if your Tenerife plans may shift, but they do not remove the need to check weather and meeting instructions before the day.

What to wear and pack

Keep your packing simple but practical. You should bring:

• Hiking shoes or trail-running shoes
• Water
• Food
• A daypack
• Warm clothing
• Rain gear
• Long trousers if preferred

The activity provider offers hiking boots for rent if requested in advance. Only hiking shoes or trail-running shoes are allowed, so ask about rental footwear before arriving if your luggage does not include suitable shoes.

Warm clothing and rain gear may seem excessive for Tenerife, but this route is in a mountain setting. Conditions can feel different from the coast. You should also carry food because the tour lasts six hours and does not include meals.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed. Long trousers are optional, though I would consider them a sensible choice if you dislike brushing against vegetation or rough rock.

Who should book this canyoning tour

This is a good match for an active adult who wants more than a viewpoint or a short walk. You do not need previous canyoning experience, and the instruction makes it suitable for beginners who are comfortable with heights and physical activity.

It also suits anyone who likes nature with a technical edge. You get volcanic geology, plant and animal details, mountain views, walking, and rope work in one day. The route has enough variety to interest people who have already tried basic outdoor adventure activities.

The restrictions are important. The experience is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, people with back, heart, mobility, or epilepsy concerns, or anyone afraid of heights. It also excludes people over 65 and anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Those limits are not minor booking notes. Canyoning puts demands on balance, movement, and the body. If you have a medical condition or are unsure about your ability, ask the provider before reserving.

The guide makes the biggest difference

The strongest thread running through the experience is Jorge’s guiding style. He is described as friendly, patient, professional, and careful with safety. He checks equipment, explains the descent technique, answers questions, and adjusts his pace when someone needs more time.

That matters most on the first rappel. A guide can have excellent equipment, but a nervous beginner still needs calm instructions and encouragement. Jorge also adds information about the canyon’s formation, Tenerife’s natural life, and local food, so the day has substance between the technical sections.

English and Spanish are available. The small group limit of eight gives the guide a realistic chance to notice how each participant is coping. That is a better setup for a first canyoning outing than a large group where everyone is hurried through the same steps.

Is Los Arcos worth six hours?

For the right person, yes. Los Arcos offers a focused adventure with a clear sense of place. The orange volcanic walls and moss are not background decoration, they are the reason this canyon feels special. The eight rappels provide a real challenge, while the guide’s instruction keeps the route accessible to beginners.

The tradeoff is time and effort. You spend nearly an hour walking in, several hours handling technical sections, and another half hour walking out. There is no hotel pickup, no meal, and no water component. If you want a relaxed half-day with little exertion, choose another Tenerife activity.

I would book this tour if you want a small-group outdoor day, are willing to follow safety instructions, and like the idea of learning a new skill in a volcanic setting. I would skip it if heights make you uneasy, your mobility is limited, or you prefer an easy scenic outing. For active adults who want an experience beyond the usual island stops, the combination of eight rappels, striking rock, and Jorge’s careful guidance makes the $82 price reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the Los Arcos canyoning tour meet?

You meet the guide at the Mirador de La Bermeja. The activity information also identifies 8FXP+CC Aguamansa as the starting and finishing location, so confirm the exact meeting directions before departure.

How long does the canyoning activity last?

The full experience lasts about six hours. This includes a 15-minute safety briefing, about 3 hours and 45 minutes in the canyon, the approach walk, and the return walk.

How many rappels are included?

The route includes eight rappels or rope passages. The first rappel is about 22 meters high.

Is previous canyoning experience required?

No previous canyoning experience is required. The guide provides instruction and explains how to use the equipment, making the activity suitable for beginners who are comfortable with heights and physical activity.

What equipment is included?

All canyoning equipment is included, along with a canyoning guide, accident insurance, and photos of the experience.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, food, water, rain gear, a daypack, and hiking shoes or trail-running shoes. Long trousers are optional. Hiking boots may be available to rent if you request them from the activity provider.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, people with back, heart, mobility, or epilepsy concerns, people afraid of heights, people over 65, or anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.