Chio combines a historic town center with hiking trails and a recreation area in a volcanic landscape. When planning, it is worth noting the different trailheads: some start in the village, while others begin on the TF-38. This lets you plan hikes and a visit to the Área Recreativa de Chío separately, and check the latest information for your chosen destinations.
Old Town, Church and Early History
The church and square are at the heart of the historic old town. The surrounding architecture is characteristic of traditional Canarian construction. The present-day Church of San Juan Bautista de Chío was built in 1960 to replace the chapel that had previously been demolished; the first chapel in Chío was built in the 17th century. Inside the church, you can see images of Our Lady of Peace and Saint John the Baptist.
The history of the area goes back much further. Numerous Indigenous archaeological sites, with cave dwellings, pottery fragments and wooden weapons, attest to a history dating back to pre-Hispanic times. They provide another point of reference in the village’s history, alongside the later history of the church.
Hiking Trails with Different Trailheads
The PR-TF 69 Chío–Vera de Erques hiking trail starts in Chío on Calle El Roquillo. The SL-TF 201 Chío–Arguayo starts near kilometre 28 of the TF-38 Chío–Boca Tauce road. The SL-TF 203 Chío–Los Arenales starts beside the Bodega Comarcal de Guía de Isora, at kilometre 27+700 of the same road in the village of Chío. This trail ends at the Área Recreativa de Los Arenales.
The trailhead information helps you plan access to each hike without treating the trails as interchangeable. Check the latest trail information before setting out. If you are considering several hikes, their named starting points—and, for the SL-TF 203, its destination as well—provide concrete points of comparison for your planning.
Área Recreativa de Chío
The Área Recreativa de Chío is open to hikers and cyclists. It can be reached via the TF-38 towards Teide National Park; check road conditions before setting out. Facilities include drinking water, toilets, fire pits, benches, picnic tables and a children’s area. If these facilities are important to your plans, check the information about them before your visit.
The recreation area’s trails offer a chance to experience the municipality’s volcanic landscapes. Another scenic area to visit is the Malpaís between Chío and Chirche. Vineyards can also be seen on walks around Chio. So, in addition to the named hiking trails, the surrounding scenery can be a focus of your plans; check the specific destinations and conditions for each visit.
Festivals and Local Traditions
The celebrations of San Juan and Nuestra Señora de la Paz take place in Plaza de Chío on the weekend closest to 24 June. The annual schedule is approximate, so check the current programme if you plan to time your trip around the celebrations. San Antonio Abad is scheduled for the third Sunday in January in Plaza de Chío.
The Carros de Chío traditionally take place every year on 29 November for the feast of Saint Andrew. According to oral tradition, they date back more than a hundred years. If a festival date is important to your trip, check the current programme in advance. Alongside the historic church and finds from the area, these events add living traditions and the different historical layers of the village to the picture of Chio.
Discover more destinations: Alcalá, Playa De San Juan, Vera De Erques, Chirche.
Back to the main travel overview: Guía De Isora.
