Best Horse Riding Trails in the Canary Islands
When we talk about the Canary Islands, your thoughts probably go to beaches rather than horses. But you can't spend your whole holiday lying down on a beach soaking up the sun. Well, technically you can, but that's not fun. Plus, in order to truly experience the Canary Islands, you need some adventure.
This is a place surrounded by black volcanic sand, constant Atlantic waves, and sun that lasts all year round. But did you know that some of the best ways to explore it have nothing to do with the coast? The finest views often come from trails that climb through volcanic hills, pine forests, and old farming villages.
So, if you have an adventurous spirit, horse riding trails might be the best way to discover these islands. And this isn't just a tourist scam where you circle around a small ranch for 20 minutes. On many islands, you can follow real trails used by farmers and shepherds for generations, crossing lava fields and taking in views that are completely impossible from the beach.
Tenerife: Riding the Volcanic Countryside Around Teide
Tenerife is home to Mount Teide, Spain's tallest volcano, and its surroundings offer some of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Europe. The terrain around Teide is extraordinary: red rock fields, lava formations, and wide-open spaces stretching toward the horizon.
However, it is important to know that horse riding is strictly prohibited inside Teide National Park itself, which has held UNESCO World Heritage status since 2007. As the park's own management rules confirm, horses are banned from the trails due to their erosive impact on the fragile volcanic soil and the risk of seed dispersal through waste that could threaten the park's unique native flora.
The good news is that the countryside surrounding the park is exceptional riding territory. Several well-established stables operate in the area and offer guided trail rides through pine forests, volcanic terrain, and mountain villages, with breathtaking views of Teide from a safe and legal distance.
From Icod de los Vinos in the northwest, operators such as Riding Tenerife run multi-hour treks over red and black volcanic earth, through valleys and pine forest, with panoramic views of the Atlantic. In the south, stables like Horse Riding Adventures (Finca Cabuquero) in Aldea Blanca offer rides along quiet bridleways with views stretching from El Medano to Palm Mar — and Teide always looming in the background.
And don't worry about experience level. It's not like you have to be a professional jockey to enjoy a trail ride. Most Tenerife stables welcome complete beginners and provide full guidance before setting off.
La Palma: Forest and Volcano Routes
There is a reason people call La Palma the greenest island in the Canary archipelago. Unlike other islands where dry volcanic landscapes dominate, La Palma is filled with thick pine forests, deep ravines, and quiet mountain paths. That combination is what makes horse riding here so rewarding.
One of the most popular riding routes follows sections of the Ruta de los Volcanes, a trail that passes several volcanic craters through terrain that still feels alive. The best thing about this island is how quickly the scenery changes. One minute you are crossing empty lava fields, and the next you are surrounded by dense pine forest, the smell of resin filling the air.
For riders who want longer and more scenic routes rather than short tourist loops, La Palma is one of the finest islands in the archipelago to explore on horseback.
Lanzarote: Lava Field Adventures
Lanzarote might be the most visually striking island in the entire Canary chain. The volcanic activity here created massive lava fields that stretch for miles, especially around Timanfaya National Park, where the terrain genuinely looks like a scene from a science fiction film. The park itself is a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve.
Horse riding here takes place on the trails and open terrain surrounding the park rather than within its protected interior. The ground is dark and rugged, and waves of hardened lava form patterns that are incredible to witness from horseback. Because the landscape is so open, riders get uninterrupted views across the island's volcanic plains in every direction.
Sunset rides are particularly popular on this island. As the sun drops toward the Atlantic, the black lava rocks begin to glow in deep shades of red and orange. It is one of those moments where you stop thinking about taking photos and simply enjoy the silence of the landscape.
With the 2026 Kentucky Derby qualifying races already happening, this might be the best way to get close to the sport.
Gran Canaria: Mountain Village Trails
Gran Canaria is where most visitors head first, drawn by its famous beaches. But what the majority of tourists never discover is that the heart of the island is a world of mountains and historic villages that deserve just as much attention.
Horseback riding trails in Gran Canaria often begin near rural farms, climb through tight mountain paths, and lead to panoramic views of the island's dramatic interior. The contrast between the coastal resorts and this quieter, wilder landscape is striking.
Horseback riding might not be the main reason people visit the Canary Islands, but it is absolutely a highlight worth planning around. After all, there are few better ways to experience this remarkable part of the world than from the back of a horse.
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