Canyoning in Los Arcos

Seven abseils turn Tenerife into a playground. This six-hour Los Arcos canyoning trip takes you through a dry volcanic channel shaped by water, with walls reaching 20 meters. I like the beginner-friendly instruction and the chance to learn about Tenerife’s rocks and plants from guides such as Alex and Alexis. The main catch is that a large beginner group can mean long waits.

I also like the small maximum group of nine, complete equipment, and careful approach to safety. You need no previous canyoning experience, but you do need to feel reasonably comfortable with heights, walking in a mountainous setting, and following rope instructions. Arriving late is a serious problem, especially because phone coverage can be poor near the ravine.

Key points about canyoning in Los Arcos

• Seven abseils per rope: You descend up to seven sections, with vertical walls as high as 20 meters.
• Dry volcanic canyon: Los Arcos has striking formations made from volcanic ash and shaped by erosion over thousands of years.
• Designed for first-timers: Guides explain each step and can support you through the more tense moments.
• Six-hour outing: The start is at 10:00 a.m., with the activity ending back at the meeting point.
• Bring suitable clothing: Long trousers, hiking boots, water, and warm layers from September through April are recommended.
• Extra costs to note: Shoe rental is EUR 10 per person, and feature photos cost EUR 10 for two people.

What makes Los Arcos special

Los Arcos is a dry canyon, so you are not heading into a wet gorge with swimming sections or rushing water. Its appeal comes from the rock itself: volcanic ash has been cut into unusual shapes by water erosion over a very long period.

That gives the outing a strong Tenerife identity. You are not simply practicing rope work at an indoor climbing center. You are moving through a natural volcanic setting, with the canyon walls providing the backdrop for each descent. The terrain gives the activity a sense of place, and the guides add context about the island’s geology, plants, and natural features.

The canyon is also a sensible choice for a first canyoning experience because the focus is on abseiling rather than on a long list of advanced techniques. You still need courage, but you do not need prior experience. The first descent may feel tense, especially when you look over the edge and see the rope running down a vertical wall. The useful part is that the guide stays involved, explains what to do, and can talk you through the descent.

You should not mistake beginner-friendly for effortless. Seven abseils can be physically and mentally demanding, and the tour lasts about six hours. The age guidance is 16 to 60, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility problems.

Meeting at Restaurante Los Andes at 10:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Restaurante Los Andes, on Carretera General TF-21, kilometer 14, number 495, in La Orotava. The meeting point is important because the tour starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. and finishes at the same place.

Give yourself plenty of time to reach it. The road leads into a mountainous area, and the operator explains that mobile coverage is limited on the way to the ravine. That means calling at the last minute may not work. One missed departure caused serious frustration when the participants arrived after the group had already left, so punctuality is not a minor detail here.

The practical rule is simple: arrive early, not just on time. The company recommends arriving 15 minutes before departure, which gives you time to find the restaurant, meet the guide, check equipment, and deal with any shoe-rental arrangements.

The meeting point is near public transportation, although the supplied details do not specify routes or schedules. If you are relying on a bus, confirm your connection carefully and allow a generous buffer.

Getting fitted with ropes, helmet, and harness

The tour includes approved canyoning equipment: a harness, helmet, gloves, canyoning rope, and a first aid kit. This is useful for first-timers because you do not need to assemble a technical kit before arriving.

You should still dress for the setting. Long trousers are recommended, along with hiking boots and water. From September through April, bring warm clothing. Mountain conditions can feel cooler than the coast, and a six-hour outing gives you plenty of time to notice poor clothing choices.

Shoe rental costs EUR 10 per person. You need to provide your shoe size in advance if you plan to rent. That is worth arranging before the morning of the tour, since correctly fitting footwear matters on uneven ground and around rope stations.

The gloves are another small but useful inclusion. Rope work can be hard on bare hands, particularly when you are concentrating on the descent. The helmet and harness are central safety items, while the first aid kit gives the guide basic support if a minor problem occurs.

The tour has a maximum of nine participants. That is not a private outing, but it is still far more manageable than a large coach-style activity. Group size matters here because each person must receive instructions, descend one at a time, and wait while the guide checks the rope system.

Seven abseils and 20-meter walls

The main event is a series of seven abseils down vertical sections of the canyon. The walls reach up to 20 meters, which is high enough to produce a real rush without requiring technical experience before you arrive.

At each section, you can expect the guide to explain the rope system and the basic body position. The most difficult part for many first-timers is not the physical movement. It is stepping backward over the edge and trusting the harness while the ground drops away.

That is where the guides receive their strongest praise. Alex is described as calm, professional, helpful, and good at giving quiet encouragement during the descent. Alexis is also praised for being careful, friendly, and reassuring when people feel nervous. The important benefit is not simply technical competence. A guide who can keep you calm helps you make better decisions with your feet, hands, and rope.

The descents are likely to feel different from one another because the canyon changes as you move through it. Still, the experience is not a continuous six-hour sequence of dramatic drops. You will spend time walking, preparing, checking ropes, and waiting for other people to complete each section.

That point matters if you want nonstop action. One account describes an eight-person beginner group where much of the day was spent waiting. The total time was about six hours, and the slow pace came from helping several first-timers through the canyon. Safety comes before speed, but a full group may feel slow.

A guide-led lesson in volcanic geology

The outdoor setting gives this tour more depth than a rope activity alone. Alex is praised for explaining the island’s history and natural features, while Alexis shared information about geology, plants, and the rocks encountered along the route.

You will not be getting a formal geology class, but these short explanations can make the canyon easier to read. Volcanic ash formations are not just strange shapes to photograph. They show how Tenerife’s material has been cut and softened by water over a long period.

This is also a good reason to look up between abseils. The ropes are the main focus when you are descending, but the rock walls and plant life give the setting its character. If you prefer an activity with some interpretation and local context, rather than pure adrenaline, this outing has that extra layer.

How the group size affects your day

The maximum is nine people, though one reported group included eight beginners plus a guide. For canyoning, that is a meaningful number. Each participant needs an explanation, a harness check, a turn on the rope, and time to regain confidence after each descent.

A smaller group would probably feel more active. A full group can offer a friendly atmosphere and may help nervous participants feel less alone, but it also creates pauses. If you are booking with friends or family, the group format can work well because you share the challenge. If you are chasing speed and solitude, this may not be the right setup.

The tour has also used two instructors for a group of six beginners, which helped people feel supported at each stage. Staffing can make a noticeable difference, but the available information does not promise two guides for every departure. If personal attention is important to you, ask about the guide-to-participant ratio before booking.

The 4.1 rating from seven submitted ratings suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The praise centers on the guides, safety, canyon, and beginner support. The main criticism concerns waiting time, while one very poor experience came from a missed departure and failed attempts to contact the operator from an area with weak coverage.

What to wear and bring

This is not the place for casual beach clothing. The operator recommends:

• Long trousers
• Hiking boots
• Water
• Warm clothing from September through April

If you rent shoes, give your size in advance and budget EUR 10 per person. If you already have suitable hiking boots, using your own pair may simplify the morning.

Water is particularly important because the outing lasts around six hours. The provided guidance does not specify how much to bring or whether refill points are available, so carry enough for the activity rather than assuming you can top up along the route.

You should also plan for clothing that can handle contact with rock and rope. The stated recommendation for long trousers is practical, especially around rough volcanic surfaces. Avoid treating this as a quick one-hour attraction. The schedule includes preparation, walking, rope setup, seven descents, and group pauses.

Feature photos cost EUR 10 for two people. That may be worthwhile if you want proof of the descents without trying to manage a phone around ropes. The details do not say how many images are included or how they are delivered, so ask the provider before paying if the photo package matters to you.

Is the cost good value?

The base tour price is not provided here, so I cannot judge the full cost against similar Tenerife activities. The value depends on what you want from the day.

The included equipment helps. You receive the harness, helmet, gloves, rope, and first aid kit, so you are not facing a long list of required technical purchases. You also get a guide-led experience, instruction for beginners, and access to a natural volcanic canyon that would not be straightforward to visit alone.

The additional charges are clear enough to budget for. Shoe rental is EUR 10 per person, and photos are EUR 10 for two people. These are optional extras, not hidden requirements, though shoe rental becomes relevant if you do not have suitable footwear.

For me, the best value comes from the combination of instruction and setting. You are paying for a guided activity where the rope systems, safety checks, and route management are handled for you. If you only want a short adrenaline hit, six hours may feel like a lot. If you want a full outdoor outing with geology, scenery, and several challenges, the time makes more sense.

Who should book Los Arcos canyoning?

This suits you if:

• You are aged 16 to 60 and have no mobility problems.
• You have no canyoning experience but want to try abseiling.
• You are not pregnant and have no serious fear of heights.
• You enjoy outdoor activities that mix physical effort with local nature.
• You can accept a group pace and possible waiting.
• You are willing to arrive early at a mountainous meeting point.

It is not a good match if you want a fast, private, highly flexible activity. It is also unsuitable if heights cause severe anxiety, since the route includes seven rope descents and walls up to 20 meters high.

The tour is especially appealing for a group of friends or family members who want a shared challenge. The guide’s calm support can make the first descent manageable, and the activity gives beginners a clear sense of progress. You arrive uncertain, learn the basic system, and gradually face one descent after another.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, and the same alternative-date or refund arrangement applies if that minimum is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. That makes an early decision important, particularly if your Tenerife plans depend on weather.

Your booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the activity is available in English. Keep the meeting-point details handy, and do not rely on a phone call from the road if you are running late.

Should you book this Tenerife canyoning trip?

I would book Los Arcos if you want a proper first canyoning day rather than a quick tourist thrill. The volcanic ash formations, seven abseils, and thoughtful guides give the activity real substance. Alex and Alexis receive especially strong praise for calm instruction, safety, humor, and explanations about Tenerife’s nature.

I would think twice if you dislike waiting or want a small private group. A full beginner group can stretch the outing to six hours, with pauses between descents. Arrive early, bring water and warm layers when needed, arrange rental shoes in advance, and treat the height requirement seriously.

For a fit first-timer who likes the idea of stepping over a 20-meter volcanic wall with a rope attached, this is a convincing way to experience Tenerife beyond the coast.

FAQ

Where does the Los Arcos canyoning tour start?

It starts at Restaurante Los Andes, Carretera General TF-21, kilometer 14, number 495, 38310 La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m. The company recommends arriving 15 minutes before departure.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Restaurante Los Andes.

How long does the canyoning experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How many abseils are included?

The route includes seven abseils per rope.

How high are the canyon walls?

The vertical walls reach up to 20 meters high.

Do I need previous canyoning experience?

No. The activity is adapted for people without previous experience, provided they are comfortable with heights and the demands of the activity.

What equipment is included?

The tour 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.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.