Rope down volcanic walls and learn the island’s story. In Los Arcos Canyon, you’ll abseil down volcanic-ash drops up to about 20 meters while a local guide explains how the canyon was shaped and what you’re looking at.

What I like most: the tour feels built for first-timers (short training before the real descents), and you don’t just hang on a rope—you get a steady stream of practical geology and endemic flora facts along the way.

One thing to plan for: the hike portions and waiting between abseils can leave you chilly, and the approach area was affected by a big fire in summer 2023, so you’ll cross some regeneration zones on foot.

Key highlights you’ll remember

• 20-meter max abseils on different walls with changing angles and textures
• Small groups (up to 9), which means less waiting and more time on the action
• Training first, so you learn rope basics before you start descending
• Volcanic ash formations inside the canyon, shaped by erosion over time
• Local guide storytelling on geology, endemic plants, and local nature
• Post-2023 fire regeneration you’ll walk through on the approach

A 6-hour canyon route built for first-time rappellers

This is canyoning in the classic Tenerife style: active, outdoorsy, and never boring. You’re not just getting a thrill—you’re getting a controlled, guided day where you learn new skills and then use them repeatedly on the rope.

The core of the experience is a sequence of abseils down the Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche area. The highest drop is about 20 meters, and the descent style is paced so your body and brain can catch up. Even if you’re nervous about heights, the day is set up to feel step-by-step, not like a sudden jump into the deep end.

The price point—around $82 per person for a 6-hour guided outing—makes sense when you factor in what’s included: certified guiding, accident insurance, access permits, and all canyoning equipment. For many visitors, that’s the difference between renting gear, guessing routes, and feeling confident with a safety-first team.

Casa Forestal start: how the day actually flows

You’ll start at Casa Forestal. From the main meeting point (the car park next to the cafeteria Los Andes, with a Titza bus stop and toilets), the guide organizes quick logistics so you’re not spending your precious canyon time figuring things out.

Here’s how the rhythm usually works:

• You meet your guide at the car park by Los Andes.
• The guide then drives you in cars to an access point about 5 minutes away.
• You walk in on foot for about 45 minutes before you’re on rope.

That approach walk matters. It’s not just “getting there.” It’s when you get your bearings, meet the group, and start noticing the endemic flora and the canyon context from your guide’s explanations. It also sets expectations for the day—if you can handle a moderate hike on uneven ground, you’ll enjoy the rest more.

One consideration: because the area was damaged by a large fire in summer 2023, the approach includes sections affected by the blaze. Nature is slowly regenerating, and you’ll cross some of those zones on foot. For some people, it adds an emotional layer: you’re seeing the landscape’s recovery in real time.

The gear moment: helmet, harness, and a real mini-training session

Before any major descent, you’ll put on your helmet and harness and get a short training workshop. This is where the tour earns its beginner-friendly reputation.

Instead of rushing you straight to the biggest wall, you practice key basics so you know how it feels to move with the system and how the guide wants you to behave on rope. This is also where your nerves can settle, especially if you’ve never done canyoning before.

The training portion is short, but it’s not meaningless. In a ropes sport, the difference between unsure and calm is usually clarity. The guide’s job here is to make the process understandable and repeatable, not mysterious. Once you’ve got that, your first abseil becomes the start of fun rather than a test.

Your group size helps too. With a limit of 9 participants, you’re less likely to spend the day watching others go first while you wait. That keeps energy up and helps first-timers feel supported.

Inside Barranco Los Arcos: the abseil sequence and the volcanic-ash walls

When the first rope descent starts, the day turns into pure movement. You’ll abseil down multiple walls, and each one tends to feel different from the next—height, texture, and how the wall lines up with where you land.

The material is a big part of the experience: many of these walls are made out of volcanic ash. That matters because it changes the visual texture and how the rock looks and feels in natural light. It also makes the canyon’s interior scenery unusually dramatic, like you’re moving through a place carved by time and fire.

The highest wall is approximately 20 meters, but the most important thing for your comfort is that you’re guided wall by wall. A common pattern is starting with descents that build confidence, then progressing. If you’re anxious about heights, that pacing helps.

Between abseils, you’ll be doing short walks and transitions, not just dropping nonstop. Those transition moments are when you really see the canyon in full: the walls around you, the way erosion has shaped openings, and the small details your brain would miss if you were focused only on getting down.

Why the geology talk isn’t extra: it changes how you see what’s around you

This canyon trip is one of those activities where the guiding makes the difference between a thrill and a story you carry home.

Your local guide explains:

• the geological history of the canyon
• how Los Arcos formed through water erosion over many years
• what you’re seeing in terms of endemic flora

You’ll also hear how the canyon environment supports specific plant life and what makes these Canary Island ecosystems distinct. In practical terms, this means you’re not just staring at rock. You’re learning how the land got that way.

The volcanic side of Tenerife is everywhere, and canyoning is a direct route into that reality. Instead of looking at a viewpoint and moving on, you experience the rock from inside it. That makes the geology feel less like facts in a book and more like something you can point at while you’re standing under it.

The approach after the 2023 fire: walking through recovery

The summer 2023 fire left a visible mark, and the tour doesn’t pretend it didn’t happen. During the approach, you cross some areas affected by the blaze, while nature is gradually regenerating.

That can be a reality check if you came for scenery only. But it’s also a meaningful part of what you’re doing. You’re learning the canyon from the outside and the inside, and you’re learning it through a living landscape that’s actively changing.

Expect your guide to help you make sense of what you’re seeing—how recovery happens, what comes back first, and what fire changes in plant life. You’ll get more out of this day if you treat the approach hike as part of the lesson, not just a warm-up.

What to bring: keep it comfortable when the day gets cool

This is an active outdoor day, and Tenerife weather can still feel chilly during canyoning—especially once you’re moving slowly between abseils.

Bring:

• Warm clothing and a jacket
• Long pants
• Hiking shoes (important for grip on the approach and around rocks)
• Water and food (you’ll want it)
• A daypack and a hair tie
• A garbage bag (so you leave no mess)
• A charged smartphone (useful for photos, if conditions allow)

Also consider packing an extra layer. Some guides and groups have mentioned cold conditions during waits, so having a spare sweater can save your comfort level.

If you show up without proper footwear, you might be offered a boot rental option (one cost mentioned was around 10 EUR). Don’t rely on that—if you can, bring your own grippy hiking boots.

Wear this, avoid that: simple safety rules that matter

The activity is built for safety, but you still need to play your part.

Not allowed:

• smoking, vaping, drones
• alcohol or drugs
• littering
• unaccompanied minors

You should also be honest about physical limits. This tour isn’t for everyone, and it’s not about being strict—it’s about keeping the experience safe and enjoyable.

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 kg (280 lbs)

If you’re unsure where you fit, the safest approach is to check with the operator before you book.

Group size, timing, and the $82 value equation

Let’s talk value, because this is where people sometimes hesitate. At $82 per person for a 6-hour guided canyoning day, you’re paying for more than a ticket to a natural spot.

You’re getting:

• a certified canyoning guide
• accident insurance
• access permits to the natural area
• all necessary canyoning equipment
• a guided route that includes approach and return walking time

You’re also getting a small group cap of 9, which affects the whole experience. Fewer people means you spend less time waiting around and more time doing the activity.

The schedule itself is also straightforward:

• meet at the car park by Los Andes
• short drive to the access point
• about 45 minutes on foot approach
• helmet/harness + brief training
• multiple abseils (highest about 20m)
• walk back about 35 minutes to return

Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, so you’ll plan your own way to the meeting area. That’s normal for active tours, and it keeps the cost aligned with what you actually get on the ropes.

Who should book this Los Arcos canyoning day

Book it if you want:

• a beginner-friendly introduction to rappelling that doesn’t waste your day
• a day outdoors that mixes adrenaline with real nature learning
• a guide who explains what you’re seeing—especially geology and local plants
• a small-group experience where you can hear instructions and feel supported

You might skip it if:

• you’re uncomfortable with heights, even with training (the approach can feel intimidating at first)
• you want a relaxed, slow sightseeing day
• you don’t want active walking and the waiting that comes with rope descents
• you fall into one of the listed unsuitability categories

If you’re fit, curious, and okay with being a bit cold at times, this is the kind of Tenerife activity that becomes a highlight.

Should you book Los Arcos with Natura Xtreme Tenerife?

I’d book it if your Tenerife trip includes at least one activity that puts you in direct contact with the island’s volcanic character. The best part of this tour is the pairing: ropes skill-building plus guide-led explanations of how Los Arcos and the canyon environment came to be.

You’re paying for safety systems, permits, and professional guiding—not just access to a canyon. And if you’re a first-timer, the short training and small group size help you feel in control fast.

If you like your adventures with structure (and you’re willing to bring proper shoes and warm layers), this Los Arcos canyoning day is a strong “yes.”

FAQ

How long is the guided canyoning experience in Los Arcos?

It runs for about 6 hours total.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at the car park next to the cafeteria Los Andes, which has a Titza bus stop and toilets.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language is the tour guide?

The live guide speaks English and Spanish.

What’s included in the price?

You get a certified canyoning guide, accident insurance, access permits, and all necessary canyoning equipment.

How big are the groups?

The group is limited to a small group size of up to 9 participants.

What should I bring?

Plan on warm clothing, a jacket, long pants, hiking shoes, water, food, long pants, a daypack, a hair tie, and a charged smartphone. A garbage bag is also recommended.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people over 60, people under 120 cm tall, people who are visually impaired, or people over 127 kg.