Teide or Orotava Valley Quad Tour from Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz, the starting point

Puerto de la Cruz is the historic resort of the north coast of Tenerife, a former fishing and trading port that welcomed some of the island's first travellers in the nineteenth century. Its old harbour, black-sand beaches and botanical garden, founded in the eighteenth century, give it a character very different from the resorts of the south.

The quad tour begins here with a full safety briefing, so no previous experience is needed. You receive your helmet, plus gloves and a raincoat in winter or wet weather, and the guide explains the controls before the group sets off. Remember to bring your driving licence and closed-toe shoes, which are mandatory.

La Orotava and the Orotava Valley

Just above Puerto de la Cruz lies La Orotava, one of the most beautiful historic towns of the Canary Islands. Its steep cobbled streets are lined with seventeenth- and eighteenth-century mansions with carved wooden balconies, and the baroque domes of its churches rise above the rooftops. The town gives its name to the Orotava Valley, a wide green amphitheatre of terraces and banana plantations sweeping down to the sea.

On the Teide route you ride through the old town in the morning, before the crowds, and then begin the climb. On the North route you see the valley from above at the El Lance viewpoint, about 800 metres above sea level, one of the best panoramas in the north of the island.

La Bermeja viewpoint and the sea of clouds

As the road climbs, the landscape changes from farmland to forests of Canary Island pine and then to fields of dark lava. On many days the trade winds create a thick layer of cloud along the northern slopes, and when you rise above it, the clouds spread below you like a white sea. The La Bermeja viewpoint is the place to see this famous "sea of clouds".

It is one of the most photographed scenes in Tenerife, and on a quad you reach it at your own pace with the guide setting a safe rhythm. The air becomes cooler with every bend, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

Corral del Niño and Teide National Park

The highest point of the route is Corral del Niño, about 2,300 metres above sea level, inside Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. From here you get sweeping views of Mount Teide, which at 3,718 metres is the highest mountain in Spain, and of the volcanic landscape around it.

Here the group stops to enjoy a traditional Canarian snack and a soft drink while you take in the mountain air. If you are wondering how to get to Teide National Park from the north coast, this quad tour is one of the most memorable ways. The Teide route stays entirely on paved roads, with no off-road sections.

The North route: hidden beach, Los Realejos and off-road

If you prefer action, the North route explores the coast and hills around Puerto de la Cruz. It stops at one of the last unspoiled beaches of the area, a hidden natural cove, before entering the historic centre of Los Realejos, one of the most authentic towns of the north.

Then comes the highlight: a 30-minute off-road circuit on dirt tracks and rocky trails with three levels of difficulty, for pure adrenaline in wild terrain. The route ends at the El Lance viewpoint with a 10-minute rest, a traditional snack and a soft drink, and takes about 2.5 hours in total. Closed-toe shoes are essential here, and the guide adapts the difficulty level to the group.

Individual or double quad, and the sunset option

Every route is available on an individual quad, one person per quad, or on a double quad, where two people share one quad: the driver must be over 18 with a valid driving licence, and the passenger rides behind. Double quads are a good choice for couples and for children from 7 riding with a parent.

The Teide sunset route follows the same paved roads into the Teide heights with an afternoon departure, when the low sun turns the clouds and the volcanic slopes golden. It is the most photogenic time of day, so do not forget that photos and videos of your ride are sent to you after the tour.