Walk-in beaches guide · Tenerife
6 verified beaches in Tenerife where a path, a gorge trail, a stair descent or a rough scramble is part of reaching the sand.
Curated by the Beach Atlas team · Updated July 2026
Some Canary beaches make you earn the swim. A footpath down a cliff, a trail through a barranco, a stair descent to a black-sand cove, a scramble to the mouth of a gorge: this guide collects the beaches where walking is part of the day rather than an accident of bad parking. In the Canaries most of them sit inside protected hill country, where the road simply stops above the coast.
The reward is usually black volcanic sand, few people and a strong sense of arrival. The trade-off is heat, footwear and timing. Walk early, carry water, and do not assume a famous beach has an easy path — some involve a long, hot return climb. If you want easier arrival, compare the serviced best beaches; to see every theme, browse our guides. You can also compare every verified beach in Tenerife.
In Tenerife, read the access note before you leave the road. Some of these beaches are a short path from a parking area; others are a real descent on loose ground with a hot climb back. Carry more water than you think you need, wear proper shoes, and start early to beat the heat. Weigh scenic effort against comfort using the serviced best beaches and the rest of our guides.
Showing #1 – #6 of 6 beaches
Access: The beach is accessed via a path from roadside parking and offers a wild, natural setting with no services.
La Escalonada is a remote beach on the northwest coast of Tenerife, characterized by dark volcanic sand and pebbles. Its exposed position to the Atlantic Ocean results in frequent moderate to strong waves, making swimming potentially hazardous.
Access: The beach is surrounded by cliffs and requires a short walk down, with roadside parking available.
Playa Bollullo is a black sand beach on the rugged north coast of Tenerife, near Puerto de la Cruz. Exposed to Atlantic swells, it often has strong waves that attract experienced surfers. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and requires a short walk down, with roadside parking available.
Access: Access is via a hiking trail, and there are no services, preserving its natural character.
Playa Casas Blancas is a secluded black sand beach on the northeast coast of Tenerife, within the Anaga Rural Park. Its exposed location to the Atlantic trade winds results in consistent, often powerful waves, making it a spot frequented by surfers.
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Access: Access is via a steep path, and the beach is known for its natural, unspoiled character.
Playa de Ijuana is a remote black-sand beach on the rugged northeast coast of Tenerife, within the Anaga Rural Park. Sheltered by steep cliffs, it is exposed to Atlantic swells, resulting in often rough and wavy conditions. Access is via a steep path, and the beach is known for its natural, unspoiled character.
Access: Accessible only by a steep hike or boat, it is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and typically experiences strong waves and currents, making swimming hazardous.
Playa de Masca is a remote black sand beach nestled at the foot of the Masca Gorge in the Teno Mountains of northwestern Tenerife. Accessible only by a steep hike or boat, it is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and typically experiences strong waves and currents, making swimming hazardous.
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Access: The beach is accessed via a steep path, and swimming is not recommended due to the challenging conditions.
Playa de Tachero is a small black sand beach on the northeast coast of Tenerife, situated within the Anaga Rural Park. Its exposure to the Atlantic trade winds and open sea frequently generates moderate to strong waves, creating a lively and often rough sea state.
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