15/04/2026
There’s a side of Tenerife most tourists never see, and honestly, it doesn’t even feel like Earth.
Up in the mountains, far from the beach clubs and resorts, sits Vilaflor de Chasna, the highest village in the Canary Islands at around 1,400 metres above sea level. Quiet, slow, almost frozen in time.
But that’s not why people are starting to talk about it again.
Just outside the village, after a proper hike, you reach one of the strangest landscapes in Spain. Paisaje Lunar. And yeah, the name isn’t exaggerated.
White, sharp, almost ghost-like rock formations rising out of volcanic ash. No greenery around them. No noise. Just this surreal, pale terrain that looks completely out of place compared to the rest of the island.
The route to get there isn’t a quick walk. It’s roughly 13 km round trip, so you actually need to be a bit prepared. But that’s part of the experience. You pass through pine forests, old rural paths, and spots like the famous Pino Gordo, a massive tree that feels like it’s been there forever.
Once you reach the “lunar” area, it hits differently. It’s not just about the visuals. It’s the silence, the altitude, the feeling that you’re nowhere near the Tenerife people think they know.
But don’t romanticise it too much.
This isn’t a casual flip-flop walk. Temperatures drop fast up there, even if the south of the island is hot. The terrain can be rough, and there’s zero tolerance for messing with the environment. Those formations are fragile, and people ruining them is already a concern.
After the hike, Vilaflor itself delivers in a different way. Proper local food, grilled meats, simple dishes done right. No tourist traps, just real Canarian vibes.
If you’re looking for something different in Tenerife, this is one of the few places that actually feels like it.
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