Discover Montaña Amarilla in Costa del Silencio, a must-see in Tenerife
Want to discover unique places in Tenerife? The Natural Monument of Montaña Amarilla (Yellow Mountain), in Costa del Silencio, in the south of Tenerife, conceals one of the most charming beaches on the island. Pebble-lined sand, turquoise waters and a pleasant temperature all year round. But that’s not all! Here you can also go hiking, diving and enjoy the beach bar.
The natural landscape of Montaña Amarilla
Montaña Amarilla, located in the Costa del Silencio area, is a natural geological formation that is very different from anything you’ve seen before. Its extraordinary beauty and striking colours have made it a place of great ecological value on the island of Tenerife, one that is currently protected.
You’ll be surprised by the yellow and ochre colours of the mountains, the black of the pebbles on its coast and the transparent blue of its waters.
This characteristic landscape was formed by volcanic activity. An underwater eruption caused volcanic magma to come into contact with the sea, an explosive phenomenon that created multiple volcanic cones that resulted in this geological formation.
Erosion, the impact of the waves and the passage of time gave rise to these unique shades of yellow and ochre on the mountains, leaving bare the pyroclasts and the white fossilised dune at its base.
Today, the mountain is a volcanic cone measuring 71 metres high and 400 metres in diameter.
The base of the rock formation is home to the gem of this natural monument: the beach of Montaña Amarilla. Here you can swim, enjoy the sun and the sea breeze in one of the most tranquil and unique places in the south of Tenerife.
How do you get to the Yellow Mountain?
Getting to Montaña Amarilla is very easy. Its proximity to various coastal towns will let you get there both by car and public transport.
If you are driving, you have two ways to get there on the TF-1 motorway. You can take the Guaza or Las Chafiras exit to Costa del Silencio, depending on whether you are coming from the north of the island or from the south.
When you get there, you will find a parking area and a direct path to the beach that is easily accessible.
If you decide to go on public transport, you can choose the lines of the company Titsa that take you to Costa del Silencio (line 467), Jose Antonio Tavío (line 468) or Ten Bel (line 477). We recommend taking the first two, since it’s only a five-minute walk from the stop to the beach.
The Princess hotels on Tenerife are very close, located in Costa Adeje, a 20-minute drive from Montaña Amarilla, which makes for a great getaway if you’re staying at the Guayarmina Princess**** (16+) or Princess Inspire Tenerife**** (16+).
Stunning coastal hiking
Fancy a walk by the sea capped off by a swim? Montaña Amarilla is a fantastic place for hiking in Tenerife.
Climbing to the top of this unique location is highly recommended, since you can then take in the breathtaking views of the Costa del Silencio. You’ll also have a view of other volcanic cones in the area, and catch a glimpse of the amazing Red Mountain in the distance, in the municipality of El Médano.
From the base of the mountain you will also see several popular paths that start from Montaña Amarilla, like the one that goes to the lighthouse of Punta Rasca (crossing the Costa del Silencio), the one that goes to the fishing village of Las Galletas and of course the trail that will take you to the top of the Yellow Mountain.
It’s a little steep but short, so you should be able to go up no problem. Once at the top, you’ll be able to circle the mountain along different paths and discover all the wonderful facets of this geological formation.
You will also notice that, on the sides of the summit, there are small coves and bays where you can finish your walk with a nice bath. Before walking down to the water however, be sure to check the tide, since if it’s high, you won’t be able to bathe there.
Watch all types of native birds from its summit
Bird watching is another of the area’s main attractions. The island of Tenerife has more than 70 different and unique breeding birds spread out across various mountain and coastal areas.
From Montaña Amarilla, you can discover native species such as kestrels and the spectacled warbler. If you’re lucky, with the latter, you’ll be able to hear them sing, which they normally do mid-flight.
Enjoy a day at the beach in a unique place
If there’s one thing the Montaña Amarilla is known for, it’s the wonderful beach and unspoilt coves, where you can spend the day sunbathing, cooling off in the water and enjoying the ocean depths in a unique place.
You have several options for sunbathing: on the rocky formations of the mountains, on the pebbled beach or in an area set up as a sun deck. If you want to go for a dip, you can access the sea from a small bay or by stairs.
Be careful on days when the sea is rough, since there is no lifeguard on duty, though there is a lifebuoy.
We recommend you wear suitable footwear, such as water shoes, or use the stairs installed to make it easier to go into the water directly, since due to the original shape of the volcanic stones, visitors may find it uncomfortable to walk barefoot on the rocks.
Try snorkelling and scuba diving in its turquoise waters
The crystal clear waters make Montaña Amarilla the perfect place for fans of diving and snorkelling. When the waves allow, you can enjoy the seabed and marvel at the underwater portion of the fossilised dune as it plunges into the depths.
This area is considered one of the most beautiful areas in Tenerife for diving, with different underwater landscapes that change radically every 20 meters.
On your dives, you will discover all its charms and secrets under the sea , with a maximum depth of 18 metres.
Here you can dive surrounded by walls, rocks and caves and admire different natural monuments such as La Piedra Narayan (The Stone of Narayan), La Puerta (The Door) and La Aguja (the Needle). And the coral reefs are teeming with different species such as cuttlefish, parrot fish, octopus, trumpet fish… There’s a whole world to discover in the depths!
This area is known for its good temperature year-round, with warm temperatures averaging around 25ºC, and between 19ºC and 23ºC in the water. One of the best times of the year for diving in the area is April to October, as the area’s marine organisms burst into life.
To make the most of the experience, we recommend you hire the services of companies specialising in diving, which will give you all the information about the area and let you in on the secrets of its seabed.
Don’t leave this spectacular place without trying a refreshing mojito while you watch the sunset, in the beach bar located on the edge of Montaña Amarilla. It’s a cosy, quiet place with good prices that will put the finishing touch on a magical day surrounded by history and charm.
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