The "Pico del Teide" volcano in the national park on Tenerife is the highest mountain in Spain and a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers. At 3,718 metres, the volcano is the third highest island volcano in the world. A hike to the summit of the "Pico del Teide" is an unforgettable experience and offers breathtaking views of the impressive landscape of Tenerife. I found the tour magnificent. Chapeau!
Content
1. Journey
2. Route
3. Accommodation
4. Weather and best time to travel
5. Further information
6. Recommended stages
7. Packing list
8. GPX and map information
9. Conclusion
Brief geological description: Pico del Teide ˈpiko ðel ˈtejðe, is located in Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique landscape and diverse flora and fauna. At 7500m above sea level, the third highest island volcano on earth, it belongs to the municipality of La Orotava. It is a stratified volcano and its slopes are hardly covered with vegetation. It rises from a caldera 17 kilometres in diameter called Las Cañadas.
As always, I recommend my video of the tour:
How to get there
Flight: It is best to take a flight to one of the two airports on Tenerife. One is in the north and one in the south. The distance to the national park is about the same from both airports.
Car: There are several ways to get to the Pico del Teide National Park. The easiest and most convenient way is to hire a car. There are plenty of car parks at the hotel or near the Teleférico del Teide, from where you can start your ascent to the summit.
Bus: If you don't want to hire a car, you can also use public transport. There are regular bus connections to the national park from various towns.
Another option is to book an organised tour. There are many providers who offer guided hikes or jeep rides to the summit of the volcano. These tours usually include transport, a guide and any entrance fees.
Route
In total, you have to cover about 30 km and a good 2000 metres in altitude. I took two days for the tour because I wanted to experience the sunset and the sunrise at the summit. However, you can also complete the tour in one day, which is very sporty. For the connoisseur, I would recommend 2 days.
Note: The Teide National Park has decided to regulate visits to this symbolic peak in order to protect the sensitive area. More information can be found on the ministry's website at the following link:
Day 1: The hike to the top of the volcano starts near the Teleférico del Teide car park. It is a cable car that takes visitors up to 3555 metres. From here, the path leads to the summit of the Teide. The climb usually takes about six hours and is moderately difficult. The main route, the so-called "Camino de la Nariz del Teide" (King's Path), is well marked. There are numerous viewpoints with benches and tables where you can rest. The path is also equipped with information signs about the geology and history of the Teide National Park.
As there is little shade and you are exposed to the movement of the air all day, I would like to recommend my beloved Piz Buin Mountain sunscreen, specially developed for mountaineers, as well as my ultra-light sun cap and wind blocker!
"The sun also shines behind the clouds." Quote from Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wander
I would also like to recommend my beloved Salewa trekking shoes because of the challenging mountain trails:
"Only where you have been on foot have you really been". Quote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Tip: The sunset and sunrise at the summit of Pico del Teide were an incredible sensation. Goosebumps!
Tip: Also enjoy the Teide at night. There is a beautiful starry sky there for astronomical observations.
Day 2: In order to see the sunrise at the summit in time, I got up very early and made my way from the mountain hut to the summit. To make it stress-free, plan at least 1.5 hours. Bear in mind that it is very dark and you will also need a headlamp. At the summit, I found the release of the volcanic gases very exciting. But be careful: sulphur gases are toxic to humans and can cause health problems. I hope you have similarly beautiful experiences on your hike!
After the magnificent sunrise, you walk down a beautiful mountain path with magnificent views to the second volcanic crater, Pico Viejo. Finally, continue along the hiking trail to the car park. Shortly before you reach the car park, I would recommend a tour of the "Roques de Garcia" station. There are really bizarre rock formations and old lava fields that impressed me very much. I reached the car park around noon and then extended my hike to the nearby "Alto de Guajara" viewpoint, to the "Roque de la Grieta" mountain peak and to the Paisaje Lunar (lunar landscape).
Don't forget to take an emergency bivouac with you. It consists of an emergency blanket that is cold-resistant, a whistle and a mini compass. It should be in your rucksack on every hike anyway.
As the old Scottish saying goes: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!"
Accommodation
Hotel: At the car park at the starting point of the hike, you will find accommodation with the sounding name "Parador de Cañadas del Teide". In my time, the price of the accommodation was acceptable, at least for a 3-star hotel.
Hut: At the volcano, you can only stay at the Refugio Altavista del Teide. You can find the rustic mountain hut under the following link: https://www.volcanoteide.com/es/refugio_de_altavista
You can buy food and drinks at the mountain hut.
Wild camping: Wild camping is not allowed in the entire national park.
For optimal preparation for any tour, I recommend the workouts on my YouTube channel:
Weather and best time to travel
The best time to climb Teide is from April to November. In the winter months from December to March it can be very cold and snowy. There is snow and ice on the volcano then. I'm not sure if it's possible to climb the volcano then. However, I have found an article on the subject that I would like to share with you:
It is also important to emphasise that the weather conditions on Pico del Teide are often extreme. Be it because of the cold and wind or because of the strong sunlight. I therefore recommend that you prepare yourself accordingly in terms of clothing. Suitable footwear and sun cream are a must, regardless of the time of year you want to climb the peak.
Wind chill: Also note that you can expect a good 0 degrees Celsius at the summit in the morning hours. It is also usually extremely windy on the Teide. Wind chill describes the feeling of cold caused by wind. The higher the wind speed and the lower the air temperature, the greater the feeling of cold. It could feel like -15 degrees Celsius to you.
Other important information
Altitude sickness: You can get altitude sickness at an altitude of just under 4000m, especially if you drive up to the car park from sea level and then start hiking straight away. I therefore recommend that you take it easy on the ascent. Take your time!
Dangers: The last eruption of Teide occurred in 1909, but the volcano is still active and is classified as "potentially dangerous". However, geologists are constantly monitoring Teide for signs of an imminent eruption. I strongly suspect that if there was any danger from volcanic activity, the park administration would react immediately and close the park. However, make sure you check online before you go.
Surefootedness: To be safe on the trail, sure-footedness and the right footwear are the most important factors - after all, falls due to tripping and slipping are the most common cause of accidents when hiking. So remember: the right footwear and the right walking technique are therefore incredibly important. You are sure to find the right footwear in the article below!
Permit: To access the summit area of the Teide volcano, you need a permit from the park administration. You can apply for this permit online through the park's official website. There are a limited number of permits available each day. It is therefore advisable to book early. https://www.reservasparquesnacionales.es/real/parquesnac/usu/html/detalle-actividad-oapn.aspx?ii=8DEU&cen=2&act=1
There are two types of permits: One for access to the summit area and one for access to the cable car. The summit permit allows you to visit the summit of Teide. The cable car permit allows you to visit the viewpoint at 3,555 metres.
A sunset permit is included with a reservation at Refugio Altavista.
In the early hours of the morning, there were no park rangers far and wide.
Water: You cannot fill up with water on the volcano. So take enough with you. Alternatively, you can buy water at the refugio. So bring a few euros with you!
Long-distance hiking trails in Europe: 90 routes, all countries
Wild & adventurous: these are the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Europe.
Safety advice
All the safety rules of mountain sports also apply to hiking and trekking! You can find the safety rules in the link below:
Recommended stages
1) Parkplatz Parador de Las Canadas del Teide - Refugio Altavista approx. 15 km
2) Refugio Altavista - car park Parador de Las Canadas del Teide approx. 16km
On the trail you will cross the following peaks:
Montaña Majúa peak
Montaña Blanca (2.748 m) peak
Altavista hut
Pico del Teide (3.715 m) peak
Félix Méndez peak
Steinerner Baum (2.100 m) peak
Packing list
Here I recommend the most important hiking equipment that I own, have tested myself and have also bought myself. I pay a lot of attention to the weight and quality of my equipment. The equipment should simply feel good on longer tours and also be light. I can recommend the equipment for women because my wife uses it and it is basically the same as the equipment for men.
Note: Please keep in mind that the packing list is general and you will have to adapt it depending on the season and your needs!
Advertising note: These product links are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission without you having to pay more. This is for the maintenance of my blog and you support me with my project, for which I am very grateful. Thank you very much!
Clothes
Hiking boots
Hiking shorts
Long hiking pants
Functional shirt
Hybridjacket
Fleece-jacket
Rain jacket
Functional underwear
Hiking socks
Other hiking equipment:
• Sun cap
• Bivouac
Hiking backback (approx. 60 litres or as required)
by EXPED - unfortunately not available on Amazon.
• Backback - Ospray (was my old one and is also good)
Technology and orientation:
• Compass
• Headlamp
• GPS device or GPS watch if necessary
• Binoculars if necessary
Catering:
• Sweets to keep up morale :)
Health & first Aid:
• First Aid (small and light)
• Tape
• Bivouac
• Toilet paper
Other:
• Passport/Insurance certificate
• cash
• Gas cartridge
Film equipment:
• Camera
• Drone
• Tripod
• Clip
GPX and map information
The GPX files are available for download from the following providers.
Outdooractive: https://out.ac/3ukEbB
Here is the route on the map:
Conclusion
The hike to the top of Mount Teide is a fantastic adventure that offers an incredible amount. It shows a cross-section of the beautiful landscape of the national park. I particularly enjoyed the sunrise and the sunset. I really enjoyed the tour! Have a great time and good luck ;)
As always, I would be very happy about a feedback via one of my channels.
You are also welcome to leave me a comment.
Hello, I am Christian, the chief globetrotter of this Site and an enthusiastic adventurer, hiker and filmmaker. I love to explore new paths and inspire people with them, and I love to share my hiking knowledge with you! You can also find my videos on YouTube! On my blog you can find tips for beginners and professionals on the greatest and most beautiful hiking tours there are. I want to encourage people to explore the world as a hiker, whether in the countryside, through the forest or in the mountains. True to the motto: If you haven't hiked, you haven't seen the world,
On my blog, I also write about hiking gear, the right summit training and nature conservation, as well as tips and information about hiking.