Canyoning in Los Arcos

Los Arcos is not a gentle nature walk. It is a dry volcanic canyon where you use a rope to descend seven abseils, with the tallest walls reaching 20 meters. The setting comes from thousands of years of water erosion, and the pale volcanic ash formations give the route a look you will not get from a standard Tenerife excursion.

I like two things here: beginners are welcome, and guides such as Alex and Alexis take time to explain each descent and steady nervous participants. I also like the small maximum group of nine, plus the included helmet, harness, gloves, ropes, and first aid kit.

The main drawback is pace. With several first-timers in one group, you may spend a fair amount of the six-hour outing waiting for each person to complete a rappel. You also need to arrive on time at the mountain meeting point, where phone coverage may be weak.

Key points about canyoning in Los Arcos

• Seven rope descents: You rappel down seven sections, with vertical walls up to 20 meters high.
• A dry volcanic canyon: Los Arcos has sculpted volcanic ash formations shaped by water over a very long period.
• Made for first-timers: No previous canyoning experience is required, but you must be comfortable with heights.
• Guides who focus on calm instruction: Alex and Alexis are specifically praised for clear explanations, patience, and safety.
• Six hours with a beginner pace: A group of up to nine can make the day feel social, but also slow at each rappel.
• Bring the right kit: Long trousers, hiking boots, water, and warm clothing from September through April are recommended.

Why Los Arcos feels different from a normal Tenerife outing

Tenerife is famous for volcanic scenery, but you usually see it from a road, viewpoint, or marked trail. Los Arcos puts you inside a dry canyon. You walk along a channel shaped by water thousands of years ago, then use a rope to move down its steeper sections.

The canyon’s volcanic ash formations are the visual highlight. They give the walls a soft, sculpted appearance, while the vertical drops add the physical challenge. This is not a canyon filled with running water, swimming pools, or wet slides. The channel is dry, so the activity centers on walking, rope work, and controlled descents.

I like that combination. You get a closer look at Tenerife’s geology while doing something active. The guides also add context about the rocks, plants, and natural setting. Alex is particularly noted for explaining the island’s geology and nature during the route, which gives the outing more substance than a series of rope descents.

You should still be honest with yourself about heights. The activity is designed for people without experience, but it is not designed for someone who freezes at the edge of a drop. A guide can show you where to place your feet and how to use the equipment, but you must be willing to lean back and trust the rope.

Meeting at 10:00 at Restaurante Los Andes

The day begins at 10:00 am at Restaurante Los Andes, on Carretera General TF-21, kilometer 14, number 495, in La Orotava. The activity ends at this same meeting point.

That return-to-start arrangement is useful if you are driving or arranging a taxi. The meeting point is also near public transportation, although you should plan your journey carefully because this is a mountain area rather than a city-center pickup. The supplied directions recommend arriving early, and that advice matters here.

One scheduling problem caused a serious dispute about the start time. The operator states that the group waited until 10:05, while the participant involved says they were only seven minutes late. The operator later said the actual delay was 27 minutes. The practical lesson is simple: arrive well before 10:00, not just at 10:00.

Phone service can be poor on the way to the ravine. Do not count on fixing a late arrival with a last-minute call. Once the group has left, reaching the guide may be difficult.

Seven abseils through volcanic ash formations

The central part of the experience is a sequence of seven rope descents. You move through a dry canyon channel and lower yourself down vertical sections, with walls reaching up to 20 meters.

Each rappel is likely to feel different in length or angle, but the supplied information does not give a detailed breakdown of each one. What you can count on is repetition. The first descent lets you learn the basic movement, while later sections give you a chance to feel more settled with the harness and rope.

For a first canyoning experience, that repeated practice is valuable. You do not need to master everything at once. The guides explain what to do and can talk you through the descent. Alex is praised for guiding people calmly while they are on the rope, while Alexis is described as caring, fun, and attentive to safety.

This support matters because the hardest part is often mental rather than physical. Standing above a drop, turning your back to the wall, and lowering yourself over the edge can feel tense even when the equipment is secure. A patient guide helps you focus on the next foot placement instead of the full height below.

The route is not only about adrenaline. The guides point out rocks and plants, and the volcanic formations make the walk between descents worthwhile. You should expect an active nature experience with geology along the way, not a pure thrill ride.

A good first canyoning choice, with one pace problem

The activity is clearly aimed at beginners. You do not need previous rope or canyoning experience, and one group of six beginners had two instructors helping at each step. That extra support can make a major difference if you are nervous.

The tradeoff is group speed. The maximum is nine people, and a full group made up of beginners can move slowly. One six-hour outing reportedly involved a group of eight beginners plus one guide, with much of the time spent standing and waiting for other people.

That does not mean the experience is poorly run. In canyoning, the guide must keep the group together and allow each person to descend safely. But it does mean you should not view the six-hour duration as six hours of continuous rappelling. There will be instruction, walking, equipment handling, and pauses while others complete the route.

If you are booking with friends, the group atmosphere may make the waiting easier. If you want a fast, technical day, this beginner format may feel too slow. Ask the operator about group size and guide numbers before booking if pace is important to you.

Equipment included, shoes extra

The tour includes the main canyoning equipment:

• Approved canyoning equipment
• Harness
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Canyoning rope
• First aid kit

That is a useful package because you do not need to source specialist rope gear yourself. It also keeps the booking simpler for visitors who are trying canyoning for the first time.

Shoes are not included. Rental costs EUR 10 per person, and you need to give your shoe size in advance. The practical choice is to bring suitable hiking boots if you already have them. The activity specifically recommends hiking boots, long trousers, and water.

From September through April, add warm clothing. Conditions can feel cooler in a mountain canyon than they do on the coast, and you may spend time standing still while another person completes a descent. The equipment list does not mention a wetsuit, and the channel is dry, so do not assume this is a water-based canyoning trip.

Photos cost EUR 10 for two people. That can be reasonable if you want a record of the descents, but it is an optional extra rather than part of the basic price. Since the activity involves ropes and both hands may be occupied, a photo package can be more practical than trying to manage your own camera.

What the guides add to the day

The strongest part of this experience is the guiding. Alex is repeatedly praised for being professional, calm, and helpful. He explains the activity without making nervous people feel rushed, then continues to guide them while they are on the rope.

Alexis receives similar praise for making the reservation process easy, keeping the activity safe, and sharing information about Tenerife’s geology and nature. One beginner group of six had two instructors, which made it easier to help people through every stage.

The guides seem to aim for a relaxed tone without treating safety casually. That balance is important. Canyoning should feel exciting, but you should never feel pressured to take a reckless approach.

The guide names also help you know what sort of personal service to expect. If you have a strong fear of heights, tell the guide early, before reaching the first rappel. The available information shows that nervous participants were given time and reassurance, but it does not promise private instruction or a one-to-one guide.

Who should book this Tenerife adventure

I would recommend Los Arcos to an active adult who wants a first taste of canyoning and is comfortable with the idea of rappelling down high walls. You do not need technical experience, and the focus on instruction makes it approachable.

It is also a good fit if you want to see a less ordinary side of Tenerife. The canyon offers volcanic formations, plant life, and geology alongside the rope work. You get a physical activity and a closer look at how water shaped the island’s volcanic material.

It is less suitable for anyone who dislikes heights, struggles with mobility, or wants a short, easy excursion. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant people and people with mobility problems. The supplied age information says it is not suitable for ages between 16 and 60, which is unusual and unclear because the activity is otherwise described as being for adults without experience. Confirm the exact age requirement with Natura Xtreme Tenerife before paying.

The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, the operator may offer another date or activity, or a full refund.

Is six hours good value?

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you want seven rappels, equipment, instruction, and a nature setting, the package includes the essential parts of a beginner canyoning outing. The included safety gear saves you from arranging a helmet, harness, gloves, rope, and first aid kit separately.

The extra costs are clear: EUR 10 for shoe rental and EUR 10 for feature photos for two people. Neither is necessary if you bring appropriate footwear and do not want the photo package.

The less obvious cost is time. Six hours is a substantial part of your Tenerife day, and a full beginner group may spend a lot of it waiting. That can still be worthwhile if you enjoy a social pace and want careful instruction. It is less attractive if you are paying mainly for nonstop action.

I see the best value here for someone who wants a guided introduction rather than an advanced canyoning challenge. You are paying for supervision, equipment, access to the canyon, and a structured way to learn the basics.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10:00 am start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

Weather matters. The activity can be canceled in poor conditions, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is received when you book. It uses a mobile ticket, so keep the booking details accessible. Because phone coverage can be weak near the canyon, save the meeting information before leaving your accommodation.

FAQ

How long does canyoning in Los Arcos take?

The activity lasts approximately six hours, including the canyon route, instruction, equipment use, walking, and pauses between the seven abseils.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts at 10:00 am at Restaurante Los Andes, Carretera General TF-21, kilometer 14, number 495, 38310 La Orotava. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need previous canyoning experience?

No. The activity is adapted for people without experience. You do need to be comfortable with heights because the route includes seven rope descents and walls up to 20 meters high.

What equipment is included?

The package includes approved canyoning equipment, a harness, helmet, gloves, canyoning rope, and a first aid kit.

Can I rent canyoning shoes?

Yes. Shoe rental costs EUR 10 per person, and you need to provide your shoe size in advance. You are also advised to bring hiking boots if you have suitable footwear.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The operator may also offer a new date, another activity, or a full refund if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book Los Arcos canyoning?

Book it if you want a guided first canyoning experience, can handle heights, and like the idea of combining volcanic geology with seven rope descents. The calm instruction from guides such as Alex and Alexis is a real strength, especially for anyone who feels tense at the first rappel.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a six-hour beginner outing, not a rapid-fire adventure, and a larger group can mean long waits. Arrive early, bring water and proper footwear, prepare for cooler mountain conditions from September through April, and confirm the unusual age wording before booking.

For the right person, Los Arcos offers a memorable way to experience Tenerife from inside its volcanic rock rather than from behind a tour-bus window.