There are days in summer when the heat in Tenerife turns getting a decent night’s sleep into a bit of a mission. Windows open, fans on, moving from one room to another trying to find the coolest corner…
The obvious answer is usually the beach. But sometimes the better option is to do the opposite and head uphill.
Tenerife’s geography means you can gain a surprising amount of altitude in a relatively short drive. The scenery changes, the vegetation changes and, when the weather is playing ball, so does the temperature.
Here are a few places worth considering when you fancy escaping the coastal heat.
Vilaflor, the classic mountain escape
Vilaflor de Chasna is probably the first place that comes to mind when you think about heading into the mountains to escape the coast.
The change starts well before you arrive. The road climbs through pine forest and mountain scenery, and it feels a world away from the tourist resorts further down the island.
You can make a simple afternoon of it. Have lunch, wander around the village, take in the views and stay until the sun starts to disappear.
It’s also a good starting point if you want to explore some of the smaller rural areas and hamlets around the municipality.
La Escalona, a quieter side of Vilaflor
La Escalona is another option if you want something a little less obvious.
It’s a quieter rural area in the higher parts of the south, without the crowds and traffic you’ll find in the main tourist areas.
There’s not a huge amount you need to do here. That’s rather the point.
Drive up, have a wander, enjoy the countryside and take a break from the coastal heat.
Aguamansa, swap the beach for the forest
Head north and Aguamansa, in La Orotava, offers a completely different sort of summer escape.
Instead of the sea and sunbeds, you’ve got pine trees, forest and mountain air.
It’s a good choice if your idea of a relaxing summer afternoon involves some shade and a walk rather than fighting for a parking space near the beach.
You can also make a proper day of it by gradually heading higher through the Valle de La Orotava, taking in the agricultural areas before reaching the forest.
Erjos, rural Tenerife at its best
Erjos, up in the northwest near Los Silos, is another place worth knowing about.
It’s well away from the big tourist developments and offers a much more rural version of Tenerife, with mountains, paths and plenty of greenery.
It’s particularly appealing if you don’t want organised entertainment, busy restaurants and hundreds of people doing exactly the same thing as you.
Sometimes a quiet village and a bit of fresh air is all you need.
La Esperanza, an easy escape from Santa Cruz
You don’t always need to drive halfway across the island.
La Esperanza, in El Rosario, is a particularly practical option if you’re starting from Santa Cruz or La Laguna.
The influence of the trade winds and its proximity to the forest mean the weather here can be completely different from what you’re experiencing further down.
It isn’t necessarily somewhere to go if you’re desperate for sunshine. But if you’re trying to escape the heat, that’s hardly a disadvantage.
El Tanque, away from the summer crowds
El Tanque offers another option in the northwest, well away from the main tourist areas.
It’s a good base for a rural drive around this side of the island and can easily be combined with other stops in the north and northwest.
On days when the trade winds are doing their thing, the difference between Tenerife’s various sides can be remarkable. One part of the island can be sunny and baking while another is sitting under cloud and enjoying rather more comfortable conditions.
But don’t assume higher always means cooler
There’s one important catch.
Heading uphill isn’t a guaranteed solution during a proper heatwave.
When hot air arrives from Africa, Tenerife’s higher areas and medianías can also see very high temperatures, while humidity can drop considerably.
So check the weather forecast before setting off. There’s not much point driving to the mountains in search of cooler air only to discover you’ve driven directly into the hottest part of the island.
But when conditions are right, Vilaflor, La Escalona, Aguamansa, Erjos, La Esperanza and El Tanque all offer something different.
And that’s one of the great things about Tenerife.
Sometimes escaping the summer heat doesn’t mean getting on a plane.
It just means taking the right road uphill.