Hiking in Tenerife: Climbing the majestic volcano Teide

For trekking and hiking lovers, in Tenerife there’s a special place called Teide. It’s an active volcano that can be climbed from bottom to summit (3.718m) in a single day.

Teide is the second volcano I’ve climbed, following Mount Kilimanjaro, and one of the highest point I’ve ever reached. I went hiking many times in Tenerife. The one to the top of Teide has definitely been definitely the most intense.

Routes and permits

Mount Teide is found in the homonymous Natural Park, a huge protected area with stunning landscapes. There are two information centres, many paths to hike, petrified lava flows, calderas and a semi-desertic flora.

To reach the summit of the Teide there are two main ways: by cable car or on foot. The cable car leaves you 30 minutes away from the summit, cutting the hike to a short walk. The full trek is obviously more interesting and rewarding, if you are in good shape to face it.

To be able to reach the very summit of Mount Teide, called “el Pico“, you need a permit. It gives you access for 2 hours to el Pico, between 9am and 5pm. Without the permit, or outside your specific allowed time, the highest point you can reach is a view point close to the upper station of the cable car. Booking is almost mandatory because there are limited accesses given per day. You can book on the Spanish National Park website.

Altavista refuge

There used to be a wonderful place at 3200 of altitude to spend the night, the Refugio Altavista. It used to be extreamely useful, giving the hikers the chance to split the climb in two and reach the summit at the first light of the day. It was mandatory to book and it costed about 20 euros. There’s a plan to reopen it, but no date in view, as far as I know.

The hike

It’s possible to hike Mount Teide to the top starting from a couple of different places. The most common route, however, is Montaña Blanca. It begins with an almost flat wide road that turns into a steep tight path.

It takes about 4 hours, excluding breaks, to go from the parking area to the Altavista Refuge at 3.270 metres. After another 1.5 km walk, you can get to the viewpoint La Fortaleza just next to the upper cacle car station, at 3.536m. This second part of the hike can be done in about one hour, it’s less steep but not any easier.

You still have another 30 minutes walk to reach the very top of the volcano. This last past is very rocky and uneven. But from here you can already smell sulphur and see the first fumaroles. In few minutes you’ll be able to have an amazing 360 view!

By day light or by night?

If the refuge would reopen, my suggestion would be to ask your permit for the early morning, so to be able to see the sunrise from the summit. The best planning would be to hike up to the Altavista Refuge in the afternoon, spend the night there and face the last part of the hike just before sunrise, ready to see the sun coming up from the sea when you’re already at the Spanish highest point.

Since this option is not going ot be available for quite some time, there’s little choice to make. I clearly wouldn’t suggest to climb at night. With full moon there might be enough light to walk around, just with the addition of a frontal light. But it’s risky: the temperatures are low, the terrain is unstable, the paths are not always clearly visible and help in case of emergency might come with some delay.

The only valid option is therefore to start your climb in the morning, so to reach the summit by early afternoon. You will still have time to hike down before it’s gets too dark, or maybe to take the comfy cable car downhill.

The view from above: Teide’s shadow and the other Canary Islands

The most incredible view during the entire trekking, has definitely been the shadow of the Teide on the clouds and the sea around Tenerife. It’s difficult to describe, but it looks fake! We’re used to see mountains casting shadows over the land, but seeing it from above in the sunset and sunrise light, so sharp and clear, it’s magical.

The morning I reached el Pico del Teide someone said that all 7 Canary Islands were visible from up there (I recently found out that the Canary Islands are 8, not seven!). It’s rare, but possible.
Gran Canaria and La Gomera are the closest to Tenerife and they are easily seen every day from the coast. There was definitely another island “on the right” of Gran Canaria: Fuerteventura. People were pointing at Lanzarote behind Fuerteventura. My eyes couldn’t see that far and my lens was perceiving “something” that could have been a dark low cloud or the further part of Fuerteventura. Looking west, La Palma was standing very clear in the sea. And again someone, with a good sight and/or a good lens and/or a good imagination, was certain that “that spot above the sea” was the 7th Island, El Hierro! After all, I’ve seen at least 5 of the 8 Island. Not bad!

Packing list

For some bizarre reason, I’ve seen people hiking with a coat and fancy shoes, with short and tank top in the freezing evening, with an umbrella…. I’d say to keep your backpack pretty simple for a standard short trek!

• good hiking shoes/boots
• warm cloths (if you hike at sunset or sunrise, don’t forget gloves, hat and warm jacket)
• head lamp (for the evening and the early morning)
• enough water (2-3 litres per day)
• something to eat during the hike
• camera!

All the images in this page are owned by the author and therefore protected by copyright.
Some can be bought on Shutterstock, 123RF and Dreamtime.