Roque del Conde, also known as Roque de Ichasagua, is a mountain in the municipality of Adeje in south-west Tenerife, rising to about 1,000 m close to the coast. It is an erosion remnant built from stacked basalt lava flows of the island's oldest volcanic series, with sheer walls cut by gullies and a flat summit. The name refers to the count of La Gomera who held the lordship of Adeje; the Guanches called it Ahiyo. A local footpath climbs it from Vento, in Arona.
Roque del Conde
Flat-topped basalt mountain of about 1,000 m above Tenerife's south-west coast, climbed on foot from Vento.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: a steep, rocky mountain path with loose stones and no step-free route. Unsuitable for anyone with limited mobility.
- Parking
- Parking areas about 1.7 km in a straight line from the mountain.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate hike of 5.6 km in total: about 1.5 hours up and 1 hour down, steep in places, with loose rock and some slippery, exposed stretches in the upper section.
- Transport
- Buses from Los Cristianos to Arona; nearest stop Las Casas, about 1.4 km in a straight line from the mountain.
- Hours
- Open at any time.
- Address
- 38660 Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
What makes it special
From the coast below, the mountain reads as a table: sheer walls rising to a flat top at about 1,000 m. Up on the summit plateau the view takes in mountains and ocean at once, with the resort coast spread out below, the Atlantic to the west and Teide behind on a clear day.
The slopes on the way up carry the dry-country plants of the south: prickly pear, the upright grey-green stems of Canary spurge, sweet and red tabaiba, and the odd juniper.
The names hold the history. The Guanches knew the mountain as Ahiyo. The Castilian name honours the count who owned the lordship of Adeje. And a history of the Guanches published in 1991 placed the court of Ichasagua, leader of the Guanches who held out against the Castilian conquest, on this summit, which is where the name Roque de Ichasagua comes from.
Good to know
- The lower trail is well marked; higher up the path fades over rocky ground, with loose stones and some slippery, exposed spots.
- There are no toilets and no drinking water on the mountain, and none nearby. Carry plenty of water and sun protection.
- The slopes are open scrub with no shade, and the south of Tenerife is the island's sunny side. Start early in the morning.
- Sturdy shoes with good grip are essential on the loose, stony ground of the upper section.
Getting there
The climb starts in Vento, a village in the municipality of Arona, where signs point the way to the path. Buses run from Los Cristianos to Arona. The nearest stop, Las Casas, is about 1.4 km in a straight line from the mountain, and the nearest parking areas about 1.7 km.
From the village the path reaches the summit in about an hour and a half; allow about an hour to come down. The first stretch is clear and well marked. The upper part turns rockier and less defined, with steep pitches over loose stone before the ground levels out on the flat top.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning, from first light until mid-morning.
Avoid: the middle of the day, above all in summer.
The slopes are open scrub with no shade on the sunny side of the island, and an early start gets the steep upper section done before the heat builds.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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Roque del Conde on the map
The upper trail crosses loose, slippery rock with exposed stretches, and the flat summit ends in sheer walls with no fence. Wear shoes with grip and keep well back from the edge.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Roque del Conde?
About an hour and a half up from Vento and about an hour back down. The hike covers 5.6 km in total.How difficult is the hike?
It is an intermediate hike. The first part is straightforward; the upper part is steep in places, with loose stones, less defined paths and some slippery, exposed spots. Sturdy shoes, plenty of water and sun protection are essential.Can I get there by bus?
Buses run from Los Cristianos to Arona, and the trail starts in Vento, in the municipality of Arona. The nearest stop, Las Casas, is about 1.4 km in a straight line from the mountain.Are there toilets or drinking water on the way?
No. There are no toilets and no drinking water on the mountain or nearby, so bring all the water you need.Why is it also called Roque de Ichasagua?
A history of the Guanches published in 1991 placed the court of Ichasagua, leader of the Guanches who resisted the Castilian conquest, on this mountain, and the name spread from there. Roque del Conde refers to the count of La Gomera who held the lordship of Adeje.