Aripe and Chirche
Municipality: Guía de Isora
To get here there is a road that sets off from the town centre in Guía de Isora. The tranquil lifestyle in this small hamlet and in the nearby Aripe is as famous as the charm of their typical Canarian 18th and 19th century houses. Some are now used as country accommodation, making them a great choice if you want to stay and get totally immersed in a pure and natural environment.
The hamlet of Chirche has undergone recent refurbishments, but stayed true to its original aesthetics and materials.
Although Chirche stands over an old Guanche settlement, it became known as a hamlet as from the second half of the 17th century. Initially, herding was the base of the economy, followed by rainfed crop farming. The infrastructure needed for these activities (stone farm terraces, water tanks, pens, wine cellars and wineries) are an inseparable part of the landscape.
Nobody would want to miss Tradition Day in the second fortnight in July, during which the traditional lifestyle of the locals is re-enacted as a festive celebration.
Aripe, on the other hand, preserves what are known as the Aripe engravings, the oldest dated samples of cave art on the Island, meaning it is worth a visit if only for that reason. This hamlet with less than 100 inhabitants, together with the hamlet of Chirche, boasts significant value for Tenerife in terms of history and heritage. Located at the meeting point between two ravines that merge to form the Guía ravine, the landscape is distinctly volcanic, featuring farmland (rainfed crops and orchards) that makes the very most of the area's climate.
The area surrounding Guía de Isora also houses the village of Chío, with a parish church dedicated to its patron saint, Nuestra Señora de la Paz, which is a compulsory stop.
Heading south from the centre of the village are the neighbourhoods of El Jaral and Acojeja, with beautifully preserved traditional Canarian houses. Not far from there is Mount Tejina that stands 1,055 m (3,461 ft) tall and covers a protected nature area near the hamlet of Tejina. If you carry on along your route you will come to the hamlet of Las Fuentes. It is no longer inhabited but you are welcome to come and see its houses carved into the sandstone walls.
We answer to your frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Chirche and Aripe
Where are Aripe and Chirche?
Aripe and Chirche are two small traditional hamlets located in the municipality of Guía de Isora, in the south-west of Tenerife, at mid-altitude on the western slope of the island. Both settlements form part of one of the best-preserved rural areas in the municipality and are surrounded by agricultural terraces, ancient royal paths and volcanic landscapes that retain the traditional character of southern Tenerife. Chirche lies at around 900 metres above sea level and is especially known for its traditional Canarian architecture, while Aripe preserves important ethnographic and archaeological value. Their close proximity makes it possible to visit both on the same route, discovering two highly representative examples of traditional rural life in the interior of Tenerife.
How to get to Chirche and Aripe?
Getting to Chirche and Aripe by car is straightforward from anywhere in southern Tenerife. From the TF-1 motorway, the main access route is via the exit towards Guía de Isora, continuing along the TF-82 road towards the midlands of the municipality, where both hamlets are signposted a few kilometres from the town centre. – From Costa Adeje: around 25 minutes. – From Tenerife South Airport: approximately 35 minutes. – From Puerto de Santiago: around 15 minutes. The route climbs through agricultural landscapes and volcanic areas characteristic of western Tenerife, offering excellent views along the way. It is also possible to reach the hamlets via traditional footpaths from the centre of Guía de Isora, an option highly appreciated by those wishing to walk among terraces, old rural paths and historic settlements before arriving in Aripe and Chirche.
What is the weather like in Chirche and Aripe and what is the usual temperature?
The climate in Chirche and Aripe is mild throughout the year and, due to their location in the south-western midlands of Tenerife, temperatures are usually slightly cooler than on the coast, especially at dawn and in the evening. Dry and sunny days prevail for much of the year, with mild winters and moderate summers, making both hamlets pleasant places for walking and outdoor activities. The usual temperature in Chirche and Aripe ranges from around 18 to 22 °C, although the altitude and orientation can make the atmosphere feel cooler at certain times of the year than in other coastal areas of the municipality of Guía de Isora.
What to see in Chirche and Aripe?
Chirche and Aripe stand out for preserving one of the most authentic rural ensembles in southern Tenerife. Among the main attractions are: – The historic centre of Chirche, declared a Site of Cultural Interest for its traditional architecture. – The small Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Milagrosa, popularly known as the church of Chirche. – The Mirador de Chirche, one of the best natural viewpoints for admiring western Tenerife and the island of La Gomera on clear days. – The old tile kilns of Chirche, linked to the traditional craft activity of the hamlet. – Aripe and its archaeological surroundings, where cruciform and zoomorphic rock engravings can be found. A visit here offers insight into what traditional rural life in the Tenerife midlands was like before the tourist development of the coastline.
What is the Mirador de Chirche?
The Mirador de Chirche is one of the best-known panoramic viewpoints in the interior of Guía de Isora. From here, there are open views towards the south-west coast of Tenerife, the municipality’s ravines and, on clear days, towards La Gomera. The viewpoint is located next to the traditional settlement of Chirche and is usually a regular stop for those hiking in the area or visiting the hamlet. At sunset it offers one of the municipality’s most highly valued panoramas.
What to do in Chirche and Aripe?
A visit to Chirche and Aripe offers an experience closely linked to landscape, popular culture and rural hiking. Visitors can walk through the hamlet of Chirche, admire its stone and tiled houses, follow the traditional path connecting both settlements, visit Aripe and discover its archaeological heritage, or stop at one of the small rural eateries in the area. It is also a highly recommended destination for those seeking tranquillity, landscape photography and contact with a lesser-known side of Tenerife.
Where to eat in Chirche and Aripe?
Around Chirche and Aripe, visitors can find small rural restaurants, taverns and guachinches where traditional Canarian cuisine remains very much alive, especially in the midlands of Guía de Isora. The gastronomy of this area is known for homemade dishes prepared with local products such as goat meat, stews, artisan cheeses, almonds, potatoes and wines produced within the municipality itself or nearby regions of south-west Tenerife. Many visitors take advantage of their trip to the hamlets of Chirche and Aripe to eat at nearby establishments, where the peaceful rural atmosphere forms part of the experience. In Aripe, the agricultural setting and proximity to old traditional paths further strengthen the connection between gastronomy and landscape, making a visit here a combination of heritage, nature and local cuisine all in one day.
What festivals are celebrated in Aripe and Chirche?
The hamlets of Aripe and Chirche maintain celebrations closely linked to the religious and agricultural traditions of Guía de Isora, preserving the close-knit community atmosphere typical of the Tenerife midlands. – In Aripe, celebrations linked to Saint Peter stand out, where the traditional Aripe San Pedro procession is still maintained, accompanied by neighbourhood events and gatherings connected to the rural identity of the hamlet. The Almond Fair in Aripe is also important, related to one of the traditional crops of this midland area. – In Chirche, the best-known event is the Day of Traditions, a celebration during which old trades, popular gastronomy and rural customs are revived, turning the hamlet into one of the main references for popular culture in southern Tenerife. These festivities allow visitors to discover how both settlements continue to preserve an important part of the municipality’s cultural and social heritage.
What is the Day of Traditions in Chirche?
The Day of Traditions is a highly valued event in Tenerife due to its ability to revive old trades, domestic customs, local gastronomy, folk music and scenes of Canarian rural life. During this day, the streets of the hamlet are transformed into an ethnographic route where traditional activities such as bread-making, agricultural work, the use of old tools and the preparation of typical recipes are recreated, making it one of the finest expressions of Chirche’s popular culture.
What trails and routes are there in the Chirche and Aripe area?
The surroundings of Chirche and Aripe offer an ideal setting for hiking, with volcanic landscapes, ravines and sea views rewarding every effort. Among the trails and routes in the area are: – PR-TF 70 Guía de Isora – Tágara – Boca Tauce: a long-distance route connecting the municipality with the highlands of Tenerife. It is currently closed to the public, so it is recommended to check its status before setting out. – Trail 32. Abeque: a route between the Mirador de Sámara and the Mirador de las Narices del Teide, with exceptional views of the volcano. – Trail 13. Sámara: an easy circular route accessible from the Mirador de Sámara. – Walk from Guía de Isora to Aripe: a midland route connecting the urban centre of Guía de Isora with the hamlet of Aripe, crossing ravines and traditional farmland characteristic of the area. The surroundings of the Barranco de Guía, which originates precisely from the confluence of ravines in Aripe, also offer routes of great scenic and geological interest.
Can trail running be practised in Aripe?
Aripe is a highly appreciated area for trail running thanks to its network of traditional paths, gentle slopes and rural midland landscape within the municipality of Guía de Isora. The surroundings combine trails between agricultural terraces, ravine sections and old cobbled paths, making trail running in Aripe an attractive option both for regular runners and for those seeking peaceful routes in contact with nature. Many itineraries begin in the urban centre of Guía de Isora or connect with Chirche, allowing the distance and difficulty of the route to be adapted. In addition, the open landscape towards south-west Tenerife and the tranquillity of the surroundings mean this area is also used for small mountain running routes and sporting walks throughout the year.
What is Aripe’s main landmark?
The Aripe engravings are the most outstanding feature of the hamlet. They constitute the first dated example of rock art in Tenerife, making them one of the island’s most important archaeological sites. These engravings, carved into volcanic rock surfaces, include: – Cruciform motifs: cross-shaped figures or geometric symbols of uncertain origin. – Zoomorphic motifs: representations of animals linked to the culture and worldview of the Guanches, the ancient pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Tenerife. The archaeological area of the Aripe engravings is a site of great heritage value that alone justifies a visit to the hamlet. Their existence makes Aripe an important reference point for understanding the cultural origins of the Guanche population in the south-west of the island.