tenerife volcano trip

Home » Europe » Spain » The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Mount Teide

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Mount Teide

By Author Lance Longwell

Posted on Last updated: October 2, 2022

No visit to the Canary Islands would be complete without visiting the Mount Teide volcano, Spain’s highest mountain. This imposing volcano is the reason for the island’s existence and casts a huge shadow over the entire island. But those who visit Mount Teide will be rewarded with incredible views from the summit!

Given the number of tourists who come to Tenerife every year, it’s no surprise that Mount Teide National Park is the most visited national park in Spain and also in all of Europe. Millions of visitors come to this barren landscape every year for the incredible views.

Like most visitors to the Canary Islands, we knew we wanted to visit the Mt Teide volcano during our brief holiday in Tenerife. We found lots of contradictory information on the Internet on the best way to go about it, so we set out to write this ultimate guide to Mount Teide to help other visitors.

Our day-long, self-guided Tenerife volcano tour was the highlight of our trip! However, there are many ways to see and enjoy the volcano.

Visiting Mount Teide

Mount teide excursions and tours, driving mount teide in a rental car, climbing mount teide, cycling mount teide, things to do in mount teide national park, the mount teide cable car, mount teide summit climb, mount teide hikes, mount teide stargazing, mount teide observatory, photographing the volcano, visiting a winery, top tips for visiting, book your mount teide cable car tickets in advance, mount teide summit permit, mount teide parking, mobile phone service, where to stay while visiting mount teide, altavista mountain refuge, parador de las cañadas del teide, where to eat on mount teide, restaurante papillon, restaurante la bamby and restaurant el portillo, restaurante parador de las cañadas del teide, cable car snack kiosk and buffet, what to bring on your trip, frequently asked questions, where is mount teide, how high is mount teide, what is the teide shadow, is mount teide active, is it about to erupt.

There are a number of ways to get up the volcano on Tenerife. Here are your Mount Teide travel options, listed in order of least to most strenuous:

There are numerous Mount Teide tours and excursions that will drive you and direct you to the highlights within the national park. Please note, not all of the excursion packages allow enough time to take the cable car to the summit. Where the cable car is included, we’ve noted it. Otherwise, assume this is a driving-only excursion that just takes you through the park.

Here are some of the most popular Mount Teide tour options:

• From Playa de las Americas by private jeep , which includes Masca
• From Puerto de la Cruz: National Park VIP Tour
• Tenerife: 5-Hour National Park Jeep Safari . This is one of the few Mount Teide trips from Costa Adeje and other points in the southern part of the island.

The best and most rewarding option is to rent a car and drive Mount Teide yourself ! This gives you maximum flexibility and is also more economical than an excursion or package tour. We recommend renting a car at the airport and having it for your entire stay.

There are three main approaches to the volcano. Leaving from Puerto de la Cruz in the north, from Los Christianos in the south, and from Los Gigantes in the west. Assume you are staying anywhere in Southern Tenerife (Costa Adaje, Playa de las Americas, etc.), we recommend driving up from Los Gigantes in the morning. There are fewer cars than along the other routes. In the afternoon, we recommend driving back through Vilaflor and Los Christianos, which allows you to stop at the winery in the afternoon.

While the national park is well signposted, given the poor mobile phone reception, you might want a quality driving map of Tenerife .

When people speak about the “Mount Teide climb” they are usually only talking about summiting the mountain from the cable car or the more popular Montaña Blanca route. But that’s not really climbing Teide.

The die hard hikers and mountaineers who visit actually climb the volcano from sea level. That means hiking all 3,718 meters (12,198 feet) up to the highest point in Spain. This is not for the recreational hiker!

There are two routes: the Playa de El Socorro and the Camino de Chasna. The Playa de El Socorro starts at the beach bearing that name on the north shore. This is the shorter (and steeper) of the two routes. It generally follows back roads and steep trail up into the Teide National Park, where it intersects the main trail just above Montaña Blanca.

The second route is the Camino de Chasna. This route follows the Camino Real from Puerto de la Cruz to La Orotava, and then the Camino de Chasna from La Orotava up to the Portillo in Teide Park. The route was popularized by the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt over 220 years ago. It’s sometimes called the Humboldt Pilgrimage.

Anyone considering either hike should get specialized topographical maps for Tenerife and plan their route carefully. Again, this is not an easy hike and should not be undertaken casually.

Every winter, professional cyclists from around the world descend on Tenerife for training. For amateur cyclists, the chance to do it like the pros and ride up the volcano in Tenerife can be extremely compelling. Although it probably shouldn’t be attempted unless in excellent physical shape.

For cyclists (and runners) training, Spain’s highest mountain represents both a challenge and opportunity: extreme climbing. The Mount Teide road is one of the longest continual ascents in the world, and the longest in Europe. It is a chance to climb directly from sea level up to one of the tallest volcanoes in the world.

There are three popular routes up the volcano, but the most popular leaves from Los Christianos in the south. This is the steepest and shortest way up the mountain, but also has a few towns and villages along the way in case something should go wrong. There are also trees for the first half of the trip, which can provide shade.

The second route leaves from Puerto de la Cruz and basically fallows the Camino de Chasna. Over half the trip is spent riding past lush vegetation. This is the longest of the three routes up the volcano, but is the least steep (although there are some sections with serious grades).

The third and final route leaves from Los Gigantes on the western end of Tenerife. This route has the least traffic and some of the prettiest landscapes on the entire volcano. Cooling mists on the volcano’s western end are not uncommon.

Visitors who want to test themselves against the mountain now have the chance. One company runs Friday cycling trips up El Teide. They follow the Los Christianos to Vilaflor route – the shortest and steepest. If you want to test your skills, consider booking this cycling ascent of the mountain .

The Mount Teide Cable Car is the top Tenerife attraction and the most popular activity in the national park. The cable car whisks visitors 1,199 meters up the mountain in speed and comfort.

The cable car takes just 8 minutes to make the ascent while taking 44 passengers at a time. The cable car never gets more than about 30 meters above the side of the mountain, so it is perfect for people who have a fear of heights because it never gets very high.

Visitors need a special permit to hike from the upper cable car station to the volcano summit. However, if you don’t have a permit, there are two other good trails to hike near the summit. Trail Number 11 goes to the La Fortaleza Vantage Point for views of Northern Tenerife. Trail Number 12 goes to the Pico Viejo Vantage Point for views of Southern Tenerife and the volcano caldera of Las Cañadas del Teide.

The best way to take the cable car is to pre-book Mount Teide tickets here (for cable car only) or tickets for the cable car, including summit hiking permit . Remember, you should be at the lower cable car station 20 minutes prior to your ticket time. Parking can be difficult, so be sure to see our parking tips below.

There are two ways to reach the summit.

First, most summit hikers do the two-day trip from Montaña Blanca. This trip is divided into three stages. On day 1, complete stage 1 by hiking the Montaña Blanca trail to the Altavista Refuge. From the main road in national park (TF-21 Teide Road), head to the Montaña Blanca trailhead (located at approximately kilometer 40.5 between the lower cable car station and Portillo). On the north side of the road there is a small car park to leave your vehicle. Be sure to sign the hikers log before beginning your trip.

Follow the Montaña Blanca Trail up the mountain (trail number 7). The trailhead is located at 2,348 meters and your goal is the Altavista Refuge at 3,260, where you can spend the night. The route will take you 4.5 kilometers up to the summit of Montaña Blanca, before climbing another 2.6 kilometers up to the Altavista Refuge (this section is EXTREMELY steep). Most hikers will complete this journey in around 5-6 hours. (Both of the hikes from sea level mentioned above intersect the Number 7 Montaña Blanca Trail.)

Sleep overnight at the Altavista Refuge (detailed information on the refuge is below). Remember you need to bring your own food and water. This is basic accommodation (a bunk bed). However, by sleeping at the Altavista Refuge, your summit permit is included (if you are off the summit by 9:00am). You will be one of the lucky few to experience a Mount Teide sunrise.

On day 2, you will get up extremely early (like between 4:00-5:00am) to complete the second stage. After leaving Altavista Refuge, hike the ~1km to La Rambleta cable car station. In the dark, this usually takes most hikers about an hour.

From there, immediately begin stage three (which is the same as if you took the cable car):

The second way to hike the summit is to take the Teide National Park Cable Car to the the upper station, which is called La Rambleta (and this is the third stage if you are hiking the Montaña Blanca trail). This is located at 3,555 and is just below the summit (3,718 meters), the highest point in Spain. That last 163 meters may not seem like much, but it can be a real struggle when you are at extreme elevation and struggling for breath. You’ll slowly make your way up the mountain and past numerous sulfur vents while en route to the summit.

To reach the summit, follow the Telesforo Bravo trail (trail 10) up the mountain. Some hikers are able to make the climb in about 20 minutes, while other people can take over an hour. Whatever your level of fitness, take your time and watch your footing. Loose rocks can be found on the path.

If you want to do the hike from the cable car (and did not sleep at the Altavista Refuge), remember that a permit is required and only 200 permits are issued per day. Request your permit as far in advance as possible! Permit requests can be submitted here . An alternative is to book the guided cable car tour, which includes the permit. Book the cable car guided tour with summit permit here .

Finally, remember after making the summit, you need to get down! You can either hike all the way back down the way you came. Or, you can buy a ticket for the cable car and go back that way.

There are so many more Mount Teide hike options than just number 10 to the summit and number 7 up Montana Blanca. In fact, there are 37 officially designated trail options in the park (many with views of the volcano) covering nearly 400 kilometers of ground.

Since nearly everyone who visits the national park focuses on the volcano cone and the summit, if you decide to hike in the park, you’ll likely have the trail all to yourself!

As popular as the summit and cable care are, stargazing on the volcano may be even more so. Since Tenerife and the Canary Islands are so isolated, it is the perfect location for stargazing! Seeing the stars on Mount Teide is made easier because of the lack of light pollution from area areas and the national park being located well above the marine layer (clouds formed by thermal inversion near the ocean). From the volcano, you can see 83 of 88 constellations with tremendous clarity.

Guided stargazing tours bring visitors up to the national park to look through special telescopes. It is completely different way to enjoy the beauty of the national park. Book stargazing tours of Mount Teide at night here .

Note: If you are self-driving, please be extremely careful descending the mountain in the dark. There are no road lights and many of the turns are extremely tight. Auto accidents are a frequent occurrence at night!

The Teide Observatory is the largest solar observatory in the world. It is possible to visit the observatory on a pre-booked daytime tour (this is a solar observatory). You won’t have access to any of the research telescopes, but they have special telescopes for visitors who can observe the sun. Tour space is limited and it is extremely popular, so if the observatory in Tenerife is on your bucketlist, be sure to book your tour early.

Throughout the national park, you’ll see tourists with cameras pointed up at the volcano cone of Mount Teide. One of the most popular things to do in the national park is to photograph the volcano itself. And why not? It’s incredibly photogenic!

Here are some of our favorite viewpoints:

• Los Poleos: On the west side of Tenerife driving up Teide along TF-38. This is your first good view of the cone rising above the jagged lava rocks.
• Pinar de Chio: On the west side of Tenerife driving up along TF-38. This is a chance to set photos of the cone rising above a forest. The contrast of green against the brown volcano is very nice.
• Montana Las Cuevitas: On the west side of the volcano along TF-38. Good viewpoints near the elevation sign.
• Mirador de las Narices del Tiede viewpoint: On the south end along TF-38. This is view due north of the volcano cone.
• Boca Tauce viewpoint: Located where TF-38 and TF-21 intersect, this is one of the most popular viewpoints in the national park.
• Zapato de la Reina: Located along TF-21, this features some nice rock formations in the foreground of the volcano, however, we actually think the next viewpoint is better.
• Llano de Ucanca: Along TF-21, the rock formations are much closer in the foreground and really set up a nice picture.
• Mirador de Le Ruleta: Along TF-21, this is the most famous rock formation in the national park and also provides great views of the volanco. It is located across the highway from the Parador de Las Cañadas.
• Tabonal Negro: Along TF-21, this pull-off has a good view of the volcano.

The rich, volcanic soil on Tenerife’s volcano produces some very fine and very unusual wine varietals. We recommend visitors to Tenerife stop at the winery, Bodega Reveron . The winery is located on TF-51 between Vilaflor and Arona on your way down towards Los Christianos.

The Reveron winery produces a range of wines, but they excel at fine red wines. The grapes thrive in the hot Spanish sun on the wind-swept slopes of the Teide volcano. If you stop, you can follow in our footsteps: try their wines before buying a bottle to take back to your hotel or holiday rental apartment.

Based on our experience, we put together these tips for visiting the Tenerife volcano:

There are two schools of thought on cable car tickets. The first is that you don’t want to be committed to a trip on a day when the weather may be bad. So, you don’t book tickets ahead and you just show up and buy your tickets that day. However, the downside to this strategy, is that tickets sometimes sell out or you may need to wait at the lower cable car station for a long period of time until lots of tour groups have gone (waits of over two hours are not uncommon, especially during peak season).

The second school of thought is to book your tickets for the Mt. Teide National Park cable car in advance. You can lock in a time, save money, and have certainty about your trip. The downside is that you might end up with tickets for a bad weather day.

So what should a visitor do about Teide tickets? Our recommendation is to book tickets in advance, however, we recommend waiting until 2-5 days before the date to do it. This way, you can check the forecast for the best weather on Mount Teide. You can check the Mount Teide weather forecast here .

If you want to hike to the summit of the volcano peak, you need a Mount Teide permit. You can apply for the Mount Teide Hiking Permit here . Permits go fast, so apply for your permit as far in advance as you can.

An alternative to the permit process is to book a cable car trip with guided tour, which includes the summit permit. Guided tours with summit permits can be booked here . Even if you are unsuccessful in getting a permit, visiting the volcano is still worth it!

There is limited parking along the roads and in the parking lots at the cable car station (GPS location: 28.255055, -16.625664). In fact, there are only 220 parking spots. If you see a spot, grab it, and don’t count on another spot that might be closer. While there is parking along the road up to the cable car station, there can also be traffic jams as buses try to navigate the confined space. Consider parking at the bottom in one of the three carparks and walking up (GPS for the lower lot is 28.255016, -16.621633). It’s a 6-minute walk at a moderate pace.

The parking lots are busiest in the middle of the day. The people in the morning will be coming down and the people for the afternoon will be arriving. This means there is overlap and fewer spaces. Try to plan your arrival for early or later in the day to accommodate this. Do the math: the cable car runs every 8 minutes and holds 44 people, but there are only 220 parking spots. Parking spots go fast!

In the worst-case scenario, you can park for the cable car at the Parador de Cañadas del Teide hotel/visitors center. You should allow approximately 1 hour to walk from the Parador de Cañadas to the Mt. Teide cable car station (it is approximately 4.4 kilometers). It’s not an ideal solution, but you can do it if you have no other options. This means, you should plan to arrive at the cable car early in case you need to try and find parking.

Resist the temptation to just park illegally along the side of the road. The police patrol the area and tickets are common.

Mobile phone service on the mountain can be extremely poor. While we did find we had reception in several places, it was very sporadic. Visitors should not rely on mobile or cellular phone service for navigational purposes or GPS use.

You can either visit as a Teide day trip, or stay overnight on the volcano. If you want to stay overnight, there are two good options:

This bunk house is located on the side of the volanco at an an elevation of over 3,260 meters. The views are absolutely fabulous, and the accommodations are absolutely basic. You’re getting a bunk bed in a communal dormitory. Guests need to arrive between 5:00pm-10:00pm and rooms are allotted at 7:00pm, which is perfect because it will give you a chance to catch the Mount Teide sunset. All guests need to leave by 7:30am, however, if you want to visit the summit for sunrise, you’ll need to leave by about 5:00am.

The Altavista Refuge has only 54 beds and these book far, far in advance. Because guests at the Altavista Refuge get access to the summit before 9:00am, you don’t actually need a permit to stay here. Guests will need to bring all of their own food, which can be cooked in the small kitchen. While this is a no frills option, the chance to visit the summit for sunrise make it worth it and and one of the best accommodations in Tenerife. Check reviews and book a room here .

The Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide is the ideal choice to stay inside the national park and sleep on the volcano. This hotel offers exceptional views of the volcanic cone, caldera, and the breathtaking geography. The hotel has the nicest restaurant in the park and also a swimming pool. However, with a capacity for only 73 guests, rooms here book far in advance. Please note: guests at Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide do not get special access to El Teide mountain or a summit permit. Check reviews and book a room here .

If you want to visit the mountain as an excursion, you can stay anywhere else on Tenerife. The volcano is reachable from every point on Tenerife Island. However, our recommendation would be to stay somewhere on the southwest coast, like Costa Adeje. Check accommodation options in Adeje here .

Located in Portillo Alto about 10 minutes from the cable car, Restaurante Papillon is your best bet for food in Mount Teide National Park. Papillon lacks the large parking lot for the big buses, so it has a slightly more relaxed quality to it. They do get some buses, particularly in the evening, when the “Mount Teide by Night” tours stop here.

These two restaurants on Mount Teide are owned by the same management group and have the same menu. Restaurante La Bamby is located across the street from Papillon and Restaurante el Portillo is located a few kilometers down the road just past the Portillo visitor’s center. Both have large capacities (300+) and big parking lots catering to the motor coaches. However, they turn the food quickly. We ate at La Bamby were pleasantly surprised at the quality. They serve mostly Canarian cuisine, but have a few tapas and pintxos on the menu. It was not the best restaurant in Tenerife, however, it was better than we expected.

The restaurant in the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide is your best bet for fine dining and a refined meal on the mountain. Food is prepared by an actual chef and is up to the standards you’ll find at any resort. However, on the downside, you do get large tour bus groups and the restaurant hours leave something to be desired. The Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide closes for lunch at 15:30, which is quite early, particularly if you are going up the mountain.

The easiest and most uninspiring option is the snack kiosk and buffet at the lower cable car station. Options are both expensive and limited, although the ice cream is quite good!

If you’re planning a trip, your experience will be greatly enhanced if you come prepared. We recommend bringing:

Camera : The views are second-to-none anywhere in the world. You’ll probably want to capture the moment with a good travel camera. We personally use the Sony RX 100 and the Nikon D-7500 .

Hat, gloves, and warm clothes : It can get cold up on the summit, even in summer. Be sure to pack warm clothes and dress in layers. It seems strange to bring warm clothes to a best destination like Tenerife, but you’ll thank us!

Sunscreen and sunglasses : The sun can be very intense in Tenerife. Be sure to pack sunscreen ! There is almost no shade up on the volcano, so be prepared.

Water bottle : You should bring a large water bottle for your trip. And if you plan on hiking the summit, you should bring a second water bottle. While the temperatures on the summit can be cool, you’ll be exerting lots of energy and you should stay hydrated.

Headlamp : If you are planning to climb up and stay at the Altavista Refuge, you will definitely need a headlamp . To experience sunrise on Mount Teide requires you to leave the refuge well before dawn.

Mount Teide is the volcano on Tenerife, on the Canary Islands (part of Spain ) in the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano is located on the southwestern half of the island.

The height is 3,718 meters (12,198 feet), making it the highest mountain in Spain. A common trivia question is, ‘what is the highest mountain in Spain’ because many people don’t immediately associate the Canary Islands with Spain.

As one of the tallest mountains in the world (as measured from its base), the volcano casts the largest shadow in the world. The perfect triangular shadow is cast on the sea and partly covers the neighboring island of Gran Canaria. Sunset is the most popular time to visit the volcano to try and catch a glimpse of the shadow.

This is an active volcano, although the chances of seeing volcanic activity are very slim. The last eruption was in November 1909.

For years, British tabloid magazines have been predicting an imminent eruption. And it hasn’t happened. Yes, there will be another eruption someday. It could be tomorrow or another 100 years from now. However, the chances of it happening on the exact day you visit are as close to zero as could possibly exist. And the next time a British tabloid predicts an imminent eruption, try to find someone to make a bet. The odds are in your favor.

Lance Longwell is a travel writer and photographer who has published Travel Addicts since 2008, making it one of the oldest travel blogs. He is a life-long traveler, having visited all 50 of the United States by the time he graduated high school. Lance has continued his adventures by visiting 70 countries on 5 continents – all in search of the world’s perfect sausage. He’s a passionate foodie and enjoys hot springs and cultural oddities. When he’s not traveling (or writing about travel), you’ll find him photographing his hometown of Philadelphia.

Share this post:

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Wednesday 22nd of March 2023

Hi, I would like to know what is the best time of day to go to Mt, Teide? Thanks in advance.

Lance Longwell

Tuesday 4th of April 2023

Depends what your goals are. If you want cooler temperatures and fewer people, go first thing in the morning. However, if you want to see the famous Teide Shadow, you have to go at sunset.

Gareth Gosling

Saturday 20th of August 2022

Is it possible to get a What 3 Words location for the car park for the lower cable car station please?

Updated with GPS coordinates. Nobody uses What3Words (and the company sues people who use/publish their proprietary information).

Monday 4th of April 2022

Hi, could I ask, do you know if it is possible to take public transport to the Cable Car Station and if so, where would be the best place to take it from (and stay the night before). TIA

It's possible, but not recommended. The local bus in Tenerife is called the guagua. You can take bus number 348 from Puerto de la Cruz. Or, you can take bus number 342 from Costa Adeje. But the buses are notoriously unreliable and don't really run on a schedule.

Lars Salquist

Monday 17th of January 2022

Hi, Great homepage. If you go up by cable car, how long is the trip back if you go by foot? Best, Lars

Tuesday 18th of January 2022

The hike up is 5-6 hours. The hike back down can be done in as little as 2-3 hours, but most hikers will allow about 4 hours.

Thursday 22nd of July 2021

Thank you so much for all the information about Mt. Teide. It is difficult to find all this helpful information.

How to Visit Mount Teide, Tenerife [by Car, Cable Car, Hike]

Home | Travel | Europe | Spain | Canary Islands | Tenerife | How to Visit Mount Teide, Tenerife [by Car, Cable Car, Hike]

One of the most common questions people have when taking a trip to Tenerife is how to visit Mount Teide . This famous volcano is the tallest peak in the Canary Islands and all of Spain, reaching nearly 12,190 feet above sea level. It’s in Teide National Park, the best national park in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting it is considered one of the best things to do in Tenerife .

So, if you’re traveling to the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife, you should definitely hike up Mount Teide, a must-do activity in Spain . I know that this excursion can be intimidating, so in this guide, I’ll explain everything you should know and share the best ways to visit Mount Teide .

The first thing you should know is that you can climb Mount Teide on your own, or you can book one of the tours in Tenerife that goes to this mountain. In this article, I’ll tell you all the options so you can choose the one that suits your fitness level, budget, and preferences.

How to visit Mount Teide

During our trip to Tenerife , we decided to walk up Mount Teide on Trail 7, or the Montaña Blanca route, and spend the night in the Altavista Refuge. It was the most incredible experience, especially since we could watch the sunrise from the summit. I only recommend this if you have one week in Tenerife or more. Otherwise, there are other more suitable ways to visit Mount Teide.

You can hike up Teide mountain on your own, or you can drive or take the cable car, so there are options for all travelers.

Go up Mount Teide by cable car

Taking the cable car up Mount Teide is the most comfortable way, and it’s the option that most visitors choose.

The cable car station is located 7,730 feet above sea level and connects to La Rambleta, which is at an altitude of 11,660 feet. If you want to reach the top of Teide volcano, you’ll have to complete the remaining 530 feet or so on foot.

Moreover, the cable car goes over an area of the mountain where the terrain is very uneven, which is why it’s one of the most popular ways to climb Mount Teide . The trip lasts a little less than 10 minutes, so you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful view of Teide mountain and its surroundings.

If you want to go up the volcano by cable car, I recommend booking your ticket in advance here .

In case you also want to hike to Mount Teide’s summit, you must get a permit , which you’re responsible for obtaining.

Climb Mount Teide on your own

If you’re in good physical shape and enjoy hiking, you can walk up Mount Teide .

There are several hiking routes that you can take to visit Mount Teide . We did Trail 7 , or Montaña Blanca trail, which is one of the most popular hikes in Tenerife. It starts at the base of the White Mountain, quite close to the cable car station. From here, you have to hike about 5 miles to reach La Rambleta, which is 11,660 feet above sea level.

It’s a challenging route, with about a mile of elevation gain, so it’s not recommended for people in poor physical condition, or who aren’t used to hiking in the mountains.

Once at La Rambleta, you’ll find several more paths, such as Trail 10 or Telesforo Bravo , which leads to Mount Teide ’s peak. It’s a short trail, just 1,970 feet long, but it’s quite difficult due to the 656-foot elevation gain. To take this trail, you’ll need to request a permit in advance since only 200 people can enter this area each day.

There are also other trails I recommend in the area: Trail 11 , which leads to the Mirador de la Fortaleza, and Trail 12 to the Mirador del Pico Viejo. From the Mirador de la Fortaleza, you’ll get incredible views of the southern part of the island, while you can see the northern region from the Mirador del Pico Viejo. These two trails are perfect if you want to climb Teide without a permit .

If you prefer to climb Teide mountain with a guide, I recommend this full-day hiking tour , which includes the permit. Remember, you’ll need to get the permit to climb Teide if you’re going to hike on your own.

Visit Mount Teide by car

If you’re looking for another option, you can drive up Mount Teide by car. While you won’t be able to reach the peak by driving, you can go to the foot of the volcano, where the cable car station is located. The parking lot in this area is free, so be sure to park there to avoid any violations or related problems.

If you have your heart set on going to the summit of Mount Teide in Tenerife , you must hike or take the cable car. However, if you choose this way, you won’t be able to reach the peak.

Visit Mount Teide by car –  Efrén Yanes

There are several roads that you can use to drive up Mount Teide , so no matter which part of the island you’re in, you can get there without any issues. The best options from the south are Vilaflor Road (TF-21) and Chío Road (TF-38), which is ideal for people who get carsick on curvy roads. If you’re going to visit Mount Teide, Tenerife from the north, take La Esperanza Road (TF-24) or La Orotava Road (TF-21).

Even if you don’t go to the summit, the surroundings of the Teide volcano , also called Las Cañadas del Teide, is one place you can’t miss, and you can easily get there by car. This area was created after several volcanic eruptions, so it’s a unique mix of a desert landscape and peculiar rock formations, like the Roques de García. Also, during the spring, you can see the tajinaste rojo , or tower of jewels, a plant that only grows under specific conditions. Best of all, from here you can appreciate how high Mount Teide is !

Permit to climb Mount Teide in Tenerife

You’ll need a permit to climb Mount Teide’s Peak  unless you book a tour that already includes it.

To access the summit, you must take Trail 10 (Telesforo Bravo), which connects La Rambleta with the mountain peak. You can only complete this journey on foot, and you must have a special permit to be granted access. Be aware that, to protect this natural place, there is a daily limit of 200 hikers who can reach the summit.

The good news is that the permit is free and you can request it through this link , where you’ll have to select a day, time slot, and the number of people in your group. I strongly recommend applying for the permit in advance since, during high season, they sold out three months in advance.

Once you’re at Mount Teide, Tenerife, you must present your permit receipt, or you’ll be denied access to the peak.

How to Climb Teide without a permit

If you want to climb Mount Teide, Tenerife without a permit, be aware that you’ll only be able to get to La Rambleta. In other words, you won’t have access to Trail 10, so you won’t be able to reach the peak. Of course, the views from La Rambleta are gorgeous, and you’ll still have access to Trail 11 and Trail 12, where you can enjoy impressive panoramas from La Fortaleza and Pico Viejo viewpoints.

Climbing to the peak of Mount Teide without permission –  Efrén Yanes

Also, if the permits to climb Mount Teide are unavailable, another option is to book a tour to Teide that includes the permit or to spend the night in the Altavista Refuge.

If you’re going to stay at this refuge, you’ll be able to access the summit at dawn to see the sunrise. However, since you’ll be without a permit, you’ll have to leave the peak before 9:00 am. This is actually how we were able to do our Mount Teide climb without a permit.

What do you need to climb to the peak of Mount Teide?

Now that you know the different ways to access and request the permit to climb Teide , I’ll share some other important tips.

Check if you can climb Teide mountain today

Before you climb Teide, Tenerife , check this website to see if the volcano is accessible on the day of your visit.

This website will show you if the facilities are open, including the cable car, parking lot, and observatory. You’ll also be able to see the current status of the trails and roads.

While it’s not common, there are times when the weather conditions or a fire risk forces the Mount Teide facilities or trails to close. That’s why I recommend checking on the day of your hike or drive to see if it’s possible to make the trip.

Best clothes to visit Mount Teide

Without a doubt, it’s best to wear warm clothing when climbing Mount Teide in Tenerife . Most visitors to the island bring spring/summer clothes since the temperatures here are higher for most of the year. However, when you’re over 12,000 feet above sea level, the temperature is very different! Also, make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots, especially if you’re going to hike Mount Teide .

When is the best time to climb to the peak of Teide mountain?

The optimal time to hike on Mount Teide is during the spring and autumn months. In winter, the temperatures are much colder at the peak, and snowfall can make it impossible to access. Summer isn’t a terrible time to go, but it will be much warmer, which can make the walk a bit tedious.

As for the best time to climb the Teide volcano , many travelers say that the hours between 12 pm and 4 pm are best because there are fewer tourists. Yet, for us, the best time is before dawn so we can watch the sunrise from the summit.

El Teide Refuge, a magical place to sleep on Teide mountain

Spending the night in the Teide refuge is an incredible experience. We were lucky, although we had to book in advance, to stay overnight here, and we had a wonderful time.

The Altavista Refuge has a capacity for up to 54 people and reservations are limited to one night per guest. The accommodation provides bedding, and there is a small kitchen, but you’ll want to bring water and food since there isn’t a restaurant, just some vending machines. Also, the refuge has toilets, but no showers, so it’s mostly just a place to spend the night.

If you stay at Altavista, you’ll be able to see the spectacular starry sky and one of the most striking sunrises on the island. Moreover, if you get to the peak of Mount Teide before 9:00 am, you can access the area without applying for a permit. Just be sure to leave the summit before 9:00 am.

You can reserve a night at Altavista here . Of course, if you don’t want to stay there, you can go to the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide , which is right next to the Teide volcano and is one of the best places to stay in Tenerife .

Best tours to hike Mount Teide

For those who don’t want to explore Mount Teide by car , or who haven’t been able to get a permit to the peak, there are several great climbing tours available. These excursions are also what I recommend if you’re not sure how to climb Mount Teide and want a guide. While there are many options, these are the best tours:

• OPTION 1 : Tour with cable car ride + access to the summit
• OPTION 2 : Tour with cable car ride from the north (also from the south )
• OPTION 3 : Tour of the Cañadas del Teide from the north (also from the south )
• OPTION 4 : Hiking tour to climb Mount Teide following the Montaña Blanca trail

As you can see, the tours depart from both northern and southern Tenerife, and there are options with or without the cable car ride, depending on how much you want to hike. If you want to know more about the best excursions on Mount Teide , you can take a look at our guide.

That’s everything from me! Now you have all the information you need to visit Mount Teide and reach the highest peak in the Canary Islands. Have a safe trip and enjoy your ascent to Teide!

Ascen Aynat

14 replies on “ How to Visit Mount Teide, Tenerife [by Car, Cable Car, Hike] ”

How long is the hike from the end of the cable car to the summit?

Thank you for all your useful information.

Hi Karen, After you get off the cable car, you can hike to Mount Teide ‘s summit on foot. It’s a short hike (530 ft/162 m). Ascen

Hi, Just like to know that can we walk up to the upper cable car station from the lower cable car station? If so, how long does it take each way?

Hi Eva, You can do the hike instead of riding the cable car. However, it’s not an easy hike (about 5 miles to reach La Rambleta).

A follow up if I may to my already answered question and thank you for that…

“Maybe an obvious question but can you hike up to the crater (with a permit of course) then down to upper cable car station and use the cable car to get down. Reducing the hike to 6 miles or so I believe. I never see anyone mention this option.”

so Ascen, you said you did this but we’d like to do it in one day. Meaning not staying overnight at the refuge. Is this doable?

Hi, Yes, you can, but it depends on your timing since the Teide cable car usually closes in the early evening. That’s why we opted to stay overnight; we could rest and then see a spectacular sunrise the next morning. 🙂 If you want to do it in one day, make sure you get an early start!

Hello, Maybe an obvious question but can you hike up to the crater (with a permit of course) then down to upper cable car station and use the cable car to get down. Reducing the hike to 6 miles or so I believe. I never see anyone mention this option.

Of course, you can do that, and that is what we did last time. Hiking up, staying at the refuge, seeing the sunrise from the peak, and getting down by cable car. I think that is the best way to visit Mount Teide.

Hello, we are two people who want to climb mount Teide and stargaze, but not spend the entire night. Which is the best posible way to get down the mountain after sunset? Thank you!

We did the same plan a few years ago and the best option is to spend the night at Refugio Altavista, which is very close to the summit.

You can find more information here .

can i buy tickets to the cable car on site, or do i need to book in advance, for august? also, is it possible to take the cable car up, and then hike down Tiede? thanks.

If you’re traveling in August (high season) I recommend booking the ticket for the cable car in advance. And yes, you can hike down Teide. It will take you around 4 hours or so.

Let me know if you have any other questions, Ascen

Hello, We are in 2 people and we would like to climb El Teide with a guide. Is it possible with you guys? Thank you

We don’t run this tour ourselves, but can recommend you the best tour companies to climb El Teide. If you want to hike the whole volcano, then this tour is the best option; if you prefer to use the cablecar and hike the last section, then take this one .

Let me know if you have any questions! Ascen

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Travel Safe

Into the volcanic heart of Tenerife

Territory of the Historic Volcanoes

The Canary Islands’ 15 biggest eruptions of the last thousand years took place here. We recommend visiting the Pedro Gil and Abeque Dorsals; the viewing points of Los Volcanes and Ucanca (Teide National Park), the volcano of Boca Cangrejo (Corona Forestal) and the gardens of Montaña Tagoro . As well as taking the cable car to the top of the Teide , you can visit a traditional mill made to grind gofio (the local maize flour).

Territory of the Abeque Dorsal

This is considered the most active volcanic area of the island, as the Chinyero eruption took place just 100 years ago. The Cueva del Viento (Icod de los Vinos), Europe’s longest lava tube, is also here. Around this area you can visit farming cooperatives and the viewing points of Pino Gordo (Corona Forestal), Narices del Teide (Teide National Park) and Chirche (Santiago del Teide).

Territory of Explosive Eruptions

In the southern part of the island there are authentic volcanic fields. It’s worth visiting the Hermano Pedro Cave , La Centinela viewing point (San Miguel de Abona) and the Montaña Chiñama viewing point (Granadilla de Abona). This is an ideal area for complementary activities such as windsurfing, scuba diving, or boat trips to see the impressive terrain from the sea.

Travel plans for inspiring you

The Menorca lighthouses route

The Northern Way

The Primitive Way

Choose between thousands of activities to live your best life on holiday.

• Book the tour

Teide National Park Tour

Teide National Park is a unique place in Tenerife, Canary Islands. This is the highest peak in Spain ; its 3718-meter high turns it into the most-visited national park in the country and in Europe, with more than 4 million visitors every year .

Since 2007, it has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , not only for being the highest point but also for its unique biodiversity and its richness in terms of landscape and ecology.

At the end of the day, these are the reasons why this exceptional park is the major source of tourist income for Tenerife. On the other hand, the trip itself is quite nice and very useful to appreciate the tranquility of the landscape and its surroundings. At the same time, and as you go higher, you get more and more familiar with the landscape and climate; you can also better appreciate the views or rock formations of El Llano de Ucanca, such as Roques de García . However, it is not to forget that Teide is a park that can also be affected by sudden climate changes, all year round, and it is necessary to be particularly cautious during winter months. Nevertheless, this is an excursion which is ideal for families.

Volcano trip’s details:

We can reach Teide National Park from the southern slope of the island, after a walk across the Canary Islands pine forest and the village of Vilaflor , the highest town in Spain. Then, we get to Cañadas del Teide with its huge 17-km diameter caldera. It is home to wonderful and diverse landscapes with on one side, a moon-like scenery, on the other, rock formations included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, and, at the back, the summit of Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain and third largest volcano in the world with its 3718-meter high . We then reach the base of the cable car; you can use it as an option to get to an altitude of 3500 meters. Be careful, at such high altitude, temperature can drop very low, so if you are planning to take a cable car ride, do not forget to bring warm clothes. After having admired the view over the whole Ucanca valley, we descend along the Southwestern slope, which boasts a very distinctive landscape and gives you a feeling of walking on the Moon …

The child rate is valid for 2 to 11 years. Free for babies.

Tour Reviews

I guess you don’t pick up in Santa Cruz?

There is pick up from the north: Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Ursula y Santa Cruz.

Los servicios de nuestra guía Míriam fueron excelentes. Muchas gracias

He viajado con esta compañía en una excursión al teide etc. Y me ha encantado el chofer muy profesional y muy amable de aquí le dejamos un saludo Sr.Manuel y también al señor Claus el guía turístico un encanto muchas gracias por todo y por el paseo magnífico. Bsss Aida y Andre .

No hay acceso desde el norte? Desde santa Cruz

Buenas tardes, hay posibilidad desde Puerto de la Cruz o desde el Sur. Tendreis que coger un bus para llegar a la zona de recogida. No duden en llamarnos para cualquier pregunta.

Leave a Review

Show only reviews in English (1)

Cancel reply

You may also like.

Flipper Uno

Catamaran with submarine vision

Loro Parque

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

We Are Travel Girls

A Community Created To Inspire, Connect, Educate & Empower Female Travelers

EUROPE , HIKING , OUTDOOR GUIDES , SPAIN , TENERIFE · June 19, 2017 Last Updated on March 12, 2024

TENERIFE: A GUIDE TO HIKING THE WORLDS THIRD HIGHEST VOLCANO

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

The trip to Tenerife was booked and I was excited to hike the Teide volcano. It was the second time I traveled to the Canarian island also called “The Island of Eternal Spring”. On my first visit the spring was not so eternal and snow covered the volcano meaning the roads were closed and hiking was impossible. I had already booked to stay at the Altavista Refuge  and hiking to the crater at 3,700 meters was my dream so you can imagine my disappointment at not being able to do it. So I ventured back to Tenerife as second time to attempt the hike.

Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about hiking to the crater of the Teide volcano in Tenerife.

FIRST STOP: ALTAVISTA REFUGE

If you plan to do the hike you should book a stay at the Altavista Refuge long in advance because it’s booked out most of the time. The Refuge is located at 3,260 m altitude and it offers great shelter from the cold nights in the Teide National Park . Booking a bed there has the advantage that you’ll have the permit to hike to the crater, otherwise you’ll need to obtain an access permit on the website of the organization of the national park .

HIKING TO THE REFUGE

The trail starts from the highway via Montaña Blanca. There is a map of the trails, a list of safety instructions and a sign which is warning you that this is a difficult-rated hike. Then you begin the hike through the dry and flat landscape which is looks like a place from outer space.

While hiking to the Refuge you might think that this is the hardest part. It took me 7 hours and 4  litres of water to get to there. Reaching the Refuge feels like a salvation after the exhausting trail and you’ll be very happy about booking a stay in a warm bed for the night there! For me this break came at perfect time and made it possible to gain new energy for the last steps reaching the crater.

HIKING THE LAST 1.000 M TO THE CRATER

The access permit to the crater allows you to access between 6 am and 9 am. Therefore you will need to start your hike at around 5 am to make it in time for sun rise seen from 3,700 m. Keep in mind that you’ll need a torch for hiking in the dark and very warm clothes as there are extreme conditions up there (minus degrees and strong wind).

GETTING BACK

There is the possibility to take the cable car back to the bus station. Or you can just walk back down, this will take you around 8 hours. The first option with the cable car takes less than 10 minutes and may be preferred depending on how tired you are after the previous days hiking.

KEEP IN MIND BEFORE HIKING

– Don’t forget to book your stay at the Altavista Refuge long before (2-3 months, depending on the season). – Keep in mind that this is a very difficult hike, the trail is steep and you need to be in good shape to reach the summit. – Bring plenty of water and food with you, staying hydrated is crucial and you have to consider a couple of meals (1. for the night in the Refuge, 2. morning before hiking to the crater and 3. for hiking back) – The Refuge sells hot drinks, soft drinks and water (which are pretty expensive) and it is also possible to heat up food. – Take warm and wind resistant clothing even if the beginning of the trail is warm and sunny, and be prepared to sweat a lot! – Try to take only necessary items, a heavy bag will become a burden on this trail. – Wear your best hiking boots, the ground is slippery and cliffy. – One tip I can give you is to take some wet towels with you because there is no warm water at the Refuge and you’ll be sweaty for sure when arriving there. – Plan enough time for the hike, especially if you love to take tons of pictures. – Have some cash ready for the cable car if you want to take it back to the valley station. – Know that the only bus driving to the city goes around 4 pm. You’ll be at the bus station around 11 am if you take the cable car back so make a plan for the hours in between.

I promise you this hike will be one of the best experiences you’ve ever had! You’ll forget the struggle of the long and exhausting hike once you’re on standing on top of the highest peak of Spain. Plus you’ll be rewarded with the most astonishing view over Tenerife and surrounding islands as well as the best night sky you’ve probably ever seen.

Use my tips to go there prepared, watch your steps and enjoy the view and don’t forget to take in the view and take loads of pictures!

Have you hiked a volcano? We would love to hear about your favourite volcano hikes round the world – please share them in the comments below! Read Next > Off The Beaten Path In Tenerife, Canary Islands

By  We Are Travel Girls  Contributor Andreea-Elena Merurean of GypseeAdventures,com Connect with Andreea-Elena  Instagram  |  Facebook

You’ll Also Love

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

• Travel Girls Getaways
• DESTINATIONS
• TYPE OF TRAVEL
• TRAVEL RESOURCES
• AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
• TRAVEL GIRLS GIVING

Get Access To The Travel Resources Library

Subscribe to receive free access!

• Work With Us
• TESTIMONIALS
• DISCLOSURES
• TERMS OF SERVICE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ACCESSIBILITY

COPYRIGHT © 2023 WE ARE TRAVEL GIRLS

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

• Volcano news
• Volcanoes Today
• Which volcanoes are erupting now?
• Volcano Glossary
• Latest VAAC advisories
• Earthquakes
• Latest Quakes
• By Country/Region
• Find quakes
• Report a Quake!
• Global Seismic Activity Level
• Volcanoes & Earthquakes App
• Destinations
• Support us to maintain this site!  

Guaranteed tours

Tenerife volcano.

The large triangular island of Tenerife is composed of a complex of overlapping Miocene-to-Quaternary stratovolcanoes that have remained active into historical time.

Latest nearby earthquakes

Tenerife volcano photos.

Latest satellite images

Teide volcano (Tenerife Island, Canary Islands): seismic activity 2000-2022 (video animation)

Teide volcano (Tenerife Island, Canary Islands): seismic swarm

On this page:

More on volcanodiscovery.

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

• Improved multilanguage support
• Tsunami alerts
• Faster responsiveness
• Design upgrade
• Detailed quake stats
• Additional seismic data sources

Spring Hotel Vulcano

View prices for your travel dates

Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 2,463
• Very Good 1,394
• Average 456
• Terrible 99
• All languages ( 4,527 )
• English ( 3,932 )
• Spanish ( 331 )
• Italian ( 68 )

" Avoid ground floor rooms Mine had cockroaches Luckily I was able to move to an upper floor room, otherwise it would have ruined my holiday "

" Get a high room to avoid noise from refurbishment building works in atrium otherwise you get an abrupt wake up with drilling at 8.00 "

" Book early very popular hotel "

" The main pool gets busy and we seen people going down and putting towels down but always seemed to be beds throughout the day "

" We found it wasn’t a hotel aimed at young couples. Location was perfect, a lot of gorgeous restaurants & bars near by. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

SPRING HOTEL VULCANO - Updated 2024 (Tenerife/Playa de las Americas)

• Climb the peak of Mt Teide

Complete guide on how to get up Mount Teide peak

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Obtain a permit to climb to the Mount Teide peak on your own

Climb to the top of mount teide with one of the activities offered by the volcano teide experience, the most comfortable way to climb the teide is by cable car, the physical way: hiking up mount teide, our star excursion to the teide peak: ascent to the peak by cable car, no permit no problem. the teide is much more.

• Frequently asked questions about getting up Mount Teide

Mount Teide awaits you

  Climbing to the top of Mount Teide is an adventure that everyone must experience at least once in their life. Unfortunately, there are many ways to reach the Teide summit and so the best way in terms of means of transport, permits, activities, points of interest, excursions to the top of Mount Teide, etc. is not always clear.

There are two options for ascending Mount Teide : First, by cable car , travelling from the base station at an altitude of 2,356 m to the top station, known as La Rambleta, at 3,555 m. The second option is to hike to the peak via Montaña Blanca; the trail is around 9 km long and takes between 6 and 7 hours.

Since we receive dozens of calls every day from tourists who have doubts about how to get up Mount Teide, we have decided to write this complete guide with everything you need to know about how to get up Mount Teide and how to fully experience one of the world’s most impressive volcanoes.

But first, here are some spots and places of interest in the National Park. Their names will come up more than once, so if you get lost or are unsure of what we are talking about, you can always go back to this map:

• Cable car base station, at an altitude of 2,356 metres.
• Cable car upper station, at 3,555 metres, also known as La Rambleta.
• Teide Peak, at 3,718 metres.
• Trail No. 10, Telesforo Bravo, to the Peak of Mount Teide.
• Trail No. 11 to the La Fortaleza viewpoint from where you can see the northern side of the island.
• Trail No. 12 to the Pico Viejo viewpoint from where you can see the southern side of the island.
• Trail No. 7 from Montaña Blanca (2,348 metres) to La Rambleta; the trail that leads to the Refuge.
• The Altavista Refuge, at 3,260 metres.  (Currently closed to the public)

How to get up Mount Teide with a permit to climb to the top

Let’s start with the most important part: permits to climb to the Mount Teide summit.

Reaching Mount Teide’s highest point is not easy, but only because you need a permit for it.

To hike to the top of Mount Teide you need to take trail No. 10, Telesforo Bravo, which starts at La Rambleta and ends at the highest point in Spain. But: the entrance to the trail is not open . You need a permit, which the National Park guards will ask for at the entrance of the trail.

So, how to get up Mount Teide with this permit? Here are your two options:

For this option, you only need to carry out one step: visit the National Parks reservations website with sufficient time in advance .

How much is sufficient?

That depends on the season, sometimes you need more than three months . This is because only 200 permits are allocated per day and demand is very high . If you have tried and were unlucky, don’t worry, there are other options.

The second option is to join one of our activities that take you to the Teide summit. You won’t have to book in advance or carry out any boring paperwork to request a permit, freeing up precious time to plan for your trip .

We won’t go into more detail here, but if you need more information on how to get up Mount Teide with this option, you can find it in this post which we have prepared for you about how to get the Mount Teide permit.

And if you’d like to book the activity with us, you can do it here .

How to get up Mount Teide

Let’s move on from the ‘legal’ side of hiking up Mount Teide to talking about how to get up Mount Teide as comfortably as possible.

There are two ways to climb Mount Teide, and by ‘climbing’ Mount Teide we mean reaching the very peak, the highest point in Spain.

You have two options again:

The cable car links the base station with La Rambleta in a fascinating 8-minute air journey. Not only is it comfortable and fast, it is also an easy and fantastic way to visit the volcano and discover this natural treasure.

There are two ways of climbing the volcano by cable car. The first option is to go it alone; you will need a lot of planning ahead: you have to apply for a permit, and once it has been approved, you have to purchase the cable car tickets and book a time that is compatible with that permit.

But the second option is much more convenient: book our excursion to the top of Mount Teide . We will process the permit for you, include cable car tickets for just the right time and as an added bonus, the tour includes an official guide from the National Park who will be able to help you discover all the wonders of this natural paradise that you might otherwise miss.

For more information, simply click on this post in which we present detailed information on how to get up Mount Teide by cable car.

If you are looking for a challenge, congratulations! You have found one of the best.

Hiking up Mount Teide is not for everyone. It is quite steep in some sections, the atmospheric conditions harden the further up you go and the wild volcano vegetation can seem torrid, although the scenic value given by a climb to the peak makes the hike well worth the effort.

The route that allows you to climb to the Mount Teide summit by foot starts at the foot of Montaña Blanca—pun intended—and ends at the peak, but the path itself has several stages. If you want to discover them all, take a look at our post that we prepared specifically for it:

Let’s take a quick break.

We have already talked about how to get the permit and how to get up Mount Teide. We also provided you with links which include very specific information for your visit.

Now it’s time to tell you about our best excursion to the Mount Teide peak. The one most sought after, even by the island’s residents. And it is simply amazing…

We are referring to the Ascent to the Teide Peak by Cable Car excursion , which includes transport from your accommodation.

The excursion to the Teide peak, generally speaking, allows you to:

• Reach the top of Mount Teide: And it includes the permit !
• Enjoy the company of an official guide from the National Park who will show you all the secret corners on the volcano and teach you about the natural heritage of the highest volcano in Spain.
• Climb from the base station to La Rambleta by cable car, comfortably, on an 8-minute trip over a geological treasure that will offer you postcard views .
• Hike the very popular Telesforo Bravo trail that will take you to the Mount Teide crater.

   And if you are looking for excellence and exclusivity, the VIP ascent to the Teide peak excursion includes the same activities, but with no-one else in the group: The guide is completely dedicated to you . They’ll be there with you whenever you need them, something you’ll appreciate when you set off on the amazing Telesforo Bravo trail, which reaches the peak.

Climbing Mount Teide is sooooo much more than simply reaching the peak. The volcano offers a wide range of interesting things, it would be a crime to limit yourself to simply climbing it.

For example, trail No. 11 will take you to the Mirador de La Fortaleza viewpoint. This trail crosses an, apparently chaotic, sea of lava that is testament to the tremendous forces that created it. It is the perfect trail if you want to enjoy the beautiful views of the northern slope of Tenerife or behold the spectacular sea of clouds.

Trail No. 12 to the Mirador de Pico Viejo viewpoint is also highly recommended. It is a volcanic path that will guide you across ancient lava rivers. You will pass fumaroles that will add a wild side to your excursion, and the smell of sulphur will remind you at all times that the Teide is an active volcano, even though it is dormant.

Go it alone with the cable car ticket if you want, but we recommend that you don’t miss a single thing and trust our guide to accompany you during this fascinating tour. Our guided tour also starts at La Rambleta, and at the end of the trail you will reach a viewpoint overlooking a 800-metre crater covered with every colour in the rainbow ! Literally. So don’t miss it.  

But wait, there’s another option for hiking up to the top of Mount Teide: the same guided tour we mentioned before is also available at dusk . You won’t ever forget this stunning sunset!

If you want more information on any of these options on how to get up Mount Teide, or if you were not able to get permit or book a trip to the Mount Teide summit, here is the relevant post:

Frequently asked questions about ascending to the peak of Mount Teide

Below you’ll find helpful answers to the most frequently asked questions that we receive about ascending to the peak of Mount Teide:

How long does it take to ascend to the peak of Mount Teide?

It depends how you do it. Hiking up from Montaña Blanca to the peak takes around 5 to 6 hours. If you ascend by cable car to La Rambleta and walk up from there, it will take roughly 40 to 50 minutes. Please bear in mind that these times are for guidance purposes only and the duration significantly depends on your level of physical fitness.

How much does it cost to ascend Mount Teide?

There are several differently priced options for getting up Mount Teide because the available activities may include transport, a guided tour, an audio guide, etc. Activities also take place during the day, at sunset, or at night to observe the stars.

Here’s a link where you’ll find up-to-date information and prices.

Which is the best road for going up Mount Teide?

Fortunately, distances in Tenerife are always short. In fact, the distance to Teide from the main points of the island ranges between 45 and 64 km, which means that to visit Mount Teide you can go up using one road whose main access is near the area where you are staying, and to go back you can use another road, allowing you to enjoy completely different landscapes, and return to the starting point on the same day.

How do you get a permit to ascend Mount Teide?

The best way to get an answer to this question is by reading a post in which we describe in detail all you need to know about the Mount Teide permit.

How long does it take to go up Mount Teide by car?

As we explained above, distances in Tenerife are always short and this is a big advantage. Below are details about the approximate distance between the most popular points on the island and the route to Mount Teide up to the cable car base station:

• Santa Cruz: 64 km.
• La Laguna: 55 km.
• Puerto de la Cruz: 45 km.
• Los Gigantes: 52 km.
• Los Cristianos: 47 km.
• El Médano: 52 km.

The highest mountain in Spain receives every traveller with open arms. The third highest volcano in the world measuring from the bottom of the ocean and a National Park that extends the length and breadth of its slopes is a treasure worth discovering and an ideal place for those who love visiting the unknown.

It is an essential visit on your holidays to Tenerife; its exceptional state of conservation and surprising range of opportunities mean you won’t regret a second.

This is where we say goodbye. If you would like to review all the activities on offer by the Volcano Teide Experience, including an excursion to the top of Mount Teide, here is a weekly calendar. It will help you decide how to get up Mount Teide and plan your climb up to the peak.

Customer service and bookings

[email protected]

• Manage your booking
• Frequently asked questions
• The Company
• Work with us
• Catalogue of services

What to see in La Orotava

Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz

What to see in Tenerife in four days

Volcano Teide offers the following safe payment methods.

Safe Purchase

Teleférico del Pico del Teide, S.A. Tourist intermediary I-003662.1 Active Tourism TA-4-0026247

For a sustainable Teide