Los Arcos canyon makes ropes feel like art. This guided canyoning trip in Tenerife takes you down up to 20-meter volcanic walls while a local guide explains the geology, plants, and why this gorge exists in the first place. You also get that rare combo of real adrenaline and real nature education, with trained instruction throughout.

I especially love how the tour is built for first-timers: you get a short practice and then you start with easier drops that grow as you gain confidence. I also really like the small-group feel, limited to 9 people, which keeps the pace relaxed and lets the guide give hands-on support.

One consideration: you do need to be comfortable with height and getting cold, plus there are portions of the approach through areas affected by the 2023 fire.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel

• Beginner-friendly instruction, including a quick training session before the first abseil
• Rappels on volcanic ash walls, with several different drops that keep things interesting
• Local guide focus on geology and endemic flora, not just “look at that rock”
• Small-group format (max 9), which makes safety checks and coaching easier
• Los Arcos gorge views shaped by erosion, explained in plain language

Why Los Arcos Canyoning Feels Different on Tenerife

Tenerife has plenty of outdoor adventure options, but this one hits a special note because you are not just hiking to a view. You’re moving through a living geological feature, the Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche, where the rock shapes and colors come from volcanic material and long-term erosion.

The most rewarding part for me is that you get to connect what you see with how it formed. The guide talks through the canyon’s geological story and points out endemic plants along the way, so your brain keeps working during the quieter walking sections, not only during the rope moments. Several drops on volcanic ash walls also mean the canyon feels different from one rap to the next, even when you’re repeating the same skill.

If you like hands-on travel, this tour delivers. It’s not a museum talk. It’s a day where you learn how to move safely, then you put that into action down real walls.

Meeting at the car park and getting to the real starting point

You meet at the car park next to the cafeteria Los Andes, with toilets nearby and a bus stop (Titza) close by. The tour then handles the on-island logistics for you: your guide drives each person by car about 5 minutes to the access point.

Important detail: the activity’s starting location is noted as Casa Forestal. In practice, the day flows like this: you check in at the meeting car park, then the group goes by short drive to where the canyon approach begins.

This matters because it removes the “how do I get there?” stress. You don’t need a complicated route plan or a rental car day. Still, hotel pickup is not included, so plan to reach the meeting point on your own.

The 45-minute approach hike, and why the 2023 fire affects your path

Before you touch the ropes, you do a 45-minute approach on foot. Expect a forest-to-gorge feel, with a steady walk that gets you ready without being overly punishing.

You also cross areas impacted by the large fire in summer 2023. Nature is regenerating, but that means your route includes sections affected by the damage, so your approach might feel a little different than what you pictured from a brochure. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it is something to mentally prepare for.

Another plus here: the guide uses this time to teach. You’ll see and learn about endemic flora, and you’ll get context about the canyon while you’re still moving at a human walking pace. Several guides named in accounts of this trip, including Alexis, are praised for explaining what’s happening around you, including what the landscape is doing as it recovers.

Helmet, harness, and the short training that builds confidence

Once you reach the access point, you get your helmet and harness. Before descending, there’s a short training workshop, basically the skills you need to rappel safely and confidently.

This is where the experience becomes genuinely beginner-friendly. You’re not thrown straight to the highest wall. You learn the ropes, then you practice your safety process before you commit to the canyon walls.

You might also notice the guide’s tone: people describe guides like Alexis as calm, patient, and attentive to individuals. That matters because canyoning is half technique, half nerve management. If you’re the type who worries about heights, this pre-training step is what makes the day feel possible rather than scary.

The main event: abseiling Los Arcos up to 20 meters

Now for the part most people talk about: the abseils. The highest wall is approximately 20 meters, and you’ll do rope descents on several different sections.

You’ll rappel down multiple walls, and they are each described as different from the next. The walls are made out of volcanic ash, which gives the canyon its distinctive look and contributes to the sense that you’re going down into something shaped by real volcanic forces.

Most of the excitement comes from the rhythm of the day:

• You descend one wall.
• You regroup and reset with the guide.
• You look at what comes next.
• Then you do the next rappel, with a slightly different feel.

That pattern is exactly why this works so well for first-timers. Your confidence builds as you go, and you keep getting breaks to take in the canyon shapes and colors.

Safety gets emphasized in accounts of this trip. You can expect a guide who checks your setup, gives instructions at each section, and keeps the group moving as a team. People also note coaching moments like fun tricks or poses, such as the spiderman pose. It’s not required, but it reflects that the guide is teaching you while also keeping the day joyful.

What the canyoning day feels like hour by hour

The tour runs about 6 hours total, but the day is not just “rope down, rope down, rope down.” A lot of the value is in the transitions.

Here’s what that timing means for you:

• Start to access point: you drive about 5 minutes after meeting.
• Approach walk: 45 minutes on foot, including the recovery-area sections and the guided learning time.
• Gear and training: you put on harness and helmet, then do the short workshop.
• Rappel sections: this is your active centerpiece, with several abseils and different wall heights.
• Finish walk back: after the last abseil, you take another short walk back to the meeting area, about 35 minutes.

So even if you get tired, you still have structure. It’s a paced adventure with built-in “pause and look” moments.

What to pack so you stay warm, sure-footed, and comfortable

Canyoning days can fool you. You’re in the shade more often than you think, and you might be stopped while the guide helps others adjust gear. Some people mention it can get cold, so plan for that.

Bring:

• Warm clothing
• Long pants
• A jacket
• Food and drinks
• Water
• Hiking shoes
• A daypack
• Hair tie
• Charged smartphone
• Garbage bag

If you don’t show up in solid footwear, don’t panic. One note from accounts of the experience: you may need to rent hiking boots if you don’t have them, and that cost is mentioned as 10 euros. Still, it’s smarter to arrive prepared.

For clothing, I’d take the practical advice seriously. Rappels and contact with rock can involve sliding surfaces. Long pants help you stay comfortable and avoid unnecessary scrapes or irritation. If you tend to dress light for the beach, this is your sign to switch to real hiking clothes for the canyon day.

Price and value: why $82 makes sense for a guided rope day

At about $82 per person for a 6-hour guided experience, the cost can sound simple until you list what’s included.

You’re paying for:

• A certified canyoning guide
• Accident insurance
• Access permits to the natural area
• All necessary canyoning equipment
• A guided experience with training before the first descent

Hotel pickup is not included, but short-car transfer to the access point is handled as part of the experience day.

Here’s the value logic: equipment plus permits plus a trained guide is usually where these outdoor activities get expensive. This one rolls those key pieces into the price, and the small-group cap of 9 people suggests you’re not just buying a seat. You’re getting coaching time and safety attention, especially during setup and the early rappels.

Who this beginner-friendly canyoning tour is for

This is described as suitable for beginners, and the day is set up so you learn before you commit. That said, canyoning is still canyoning. You’ll be on ropes and you’ll be facing heights.

So you should consider booking if you want:

• A guided way to try abseiling for the first time
• Real scenery with geological explanations
• A small-group outdoor day with active pacing
• A guide who teaches local flora and the canyon’s formation

The tour is not suitable for:

• Children under 16
• Pregnant women
• Wheelchair users
• People over 60
• People under 120 cm (3 ft 9 in)
• Visually impaired people
• People over 127 lbs (about 280 lbs)
• People who are intoxicated or using drugs
• Drones are not allowed

Booking decision: should you sign up for Los Arcos with Natura Xtreme Tenerife?

I’d book this tour if you’re visiting Tenerife and you want one of the more memorable, hands-on nature days, not just another viewpoint stop. The combo of beginner-friendly instruction, multiple volcanic ash abseils up to 20 meters, and a guide who explains geology and endemic flora makes it feel like you get more than thrills. You get understanding, and that usually makes the photos more meaningful too.

Skip it if you’re not comfortable with heights, cold, or rope-based movement. Also, if any of the stated restrictions apply to you, pick a different Tenerife activity that matches your limits.

If you do book, prep like a hiker, not like a beachgoer. Good shoes, long pants, and warm layers will make the whole day feel smoother from the first 45-minute approach through the last walk back.

FAQ

How long is the canyoning experience in Los Arcos?

The guided canyoning experience lasts about 6 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the car park next to the cafeteria Los Andes. The starting location is listed as Casa Forestal.

What is the maximum height you will abseil?

The highest wall is approximately 20 meters.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it is described as suitable for beginners, with a short training workshop before descending.

How many people are in the group?

The group is small, limited to 9 participants.

What is included in the price?

Included are a certified canyoning guide, accident insurance, access permits, and all necessary canyoning equipment.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What languages is the live guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

What should I bring, and are there any restrictions?

Bring warm clothing, hiking shoes, long pants, a jacket, water, food and drinks, and a daypack. A garbage bag and a hair tie are also listed. Smoking, drones, vaping, alcohol and drugs, and littering are not allowed.