Teide mountain is a national park at Tenerife island, with more than 3 million visitors per year. The mountain (3718 m) is huge for such a relatively small island. It raises from Las Cañadas caldera which is around 2000-2200 meters high.
To climb the mountain you need to apply for a permit and this can be done directly through this link. It is free of charge.
With such a permit you are supposed to go through the checkpoint at La Rambleta (3555 m) within a 2-hours interval (9-11, 11-13, 13-15, 15-17). Therefore it is necessary to plan your climb properly.
[Atahualpa Yupanqui: La pobrecita (zamba)]
Just while writing this text (January 3, 2015), I checked about permits and realized that the mountain was officially closed due to icy conditions on the summit.
Below is Google map with access roads and geography of Teide:
There are several roads on the island which lead to Teide area. The shortest and most convenient is the north approach from Puerto de la Cruz. You will drive for about 40 kilometers, first through exceptionally beautiful pine forests, and then over a large flat plateau which is with very little vegetation.
The climbing route starts from the car parking on the road, at around 2350 m. There is also a regular bus transportation from Puerto de la Cruz to the hotel Parador which is at the foot of Teide, in Las Cañadas caldera.
However, the bus line is convenient only if you plan to stay the night at the refuge Altavista and to climb the rest of the route next morning, or to get to Teide by the lift to La Rambleta and then to walk the remaining simple part to the summit.
Below are some of my photos from two earlier climbs:
If you plan to climb the mountain overnight and to enjoy the sunrise in the morning, there will be nobody there to check for your permit. I did it twice that way. Frankly speaking, I am not sure if this was completely legal.
In the beginning, the route is a pleasant wide road through a volcanic landscape. You will continue that way for about 90 minutes till the altitude of 2720 m. From that point, it becomes much steeper footpath zigzagging towards the refuge Altavista at 3260 m. The route above the refuge is through lava rocks; it is well maintained and you will only have to cope with the altitude effects.
At some point you will arrive at the place where permits are checked, this is where the route from the lift ‘teleferico’ joins your path. From there it is a very simple walk to the summit.
As for equipment, all you need for this mountain are comfortable walking shoes for very hard lava terrain and warm clothes if you do overnight climbing. I also warmly recommend having a pair of walking poles.
Regarding accommodation, there is a hotel Parador at around 2200 m with the car and bus access, and the refuge Altavista (3260 m) on the climbing route described above. The information about the refuge you may read here. If you stay the night in Altavista you will not need any additional permit to climb Teide, it is included.
Some people climb Teide directly from the sea level. This is a challenge indeed, you will have to walk all 3718 m. The route is presented in the map below [courtesy of Wikiloc]. There is also video which I found on YouTube (at the end of the page) about this adventure.
My climbs to Teide
So far I climbed Teide five times; 4 times solo and once in a group of 6 people. My solo climbs were in November 2009, in June 2012, in July 2015 and October 2015. Currently, I am living on Tenerife and this last climb is described in this post.
The beginning of my first climb in 2009 and how I was stopped by police, I briefly described within this site here. This was a solo, night climb. The idea was to be on the summit at sunrise to catch a shadow of Teide across Atlantic.
I started from Puerto de la Cruz by car after 1 am, with rain and through clouds above Orotava. It was very cold at the car parking, almost like freezing. However, I was already above the clouds and had a completely clear sky, with full Moon included. There was no need to use a torch.
I started at 2:45 am, there was nobody around all the way up to the refuge Altavista (3260 m). I was at the refuge at 6:15 am, and made a short break there as I was very tired and sleepy. A few guests were already up preparing to go to the summit.
I continued and arrived at the summit at 7:45 am. There was only a young couple from Austria there, they have spent the night at Altavista. I was late for the sunrise, for that day it was at 7:20 am. So, not much of a shadow of Teide to capture.
It was very windy, the young couple left after 10 minutes, and I myself did not stay much longer. I descended the same way, and only then I was able to see the landscape I was climbing all the night. I was at parking just before noon. My main impression after all was a truly fascinating sunrise, never seen on mountains so far. I was carrying 2 liters of water and spent it all.
My second climb was in 2012, just a few days before the summer solstice. This was a solo climb again, and the same way, from Puerto de la Cruz, night climb. I started from the car parking at 1:30 am. During the night I only met two people below Altavista refuge. They were descending in unusual time, at 4 am, because one of them became altitude-sick at Altavista and they descended right away.
I passed Altavista hut at 5:30 am, but my further progress was slow, and I arrived totally exhausted to the summit again at 7:45 am. It was again late to catch the full length of the shadow of Teide. My disappointment was complete.
This time I could smell much more sulfur in the air, I guess because it was less windy. It was again very cold night, with temperature probably around zero. About my third climb, you may read in this text. And here is my fourth climb, again solo and overnight.
So Teide is a demanding mountain, although this is just a non-technical walk-up. It reminds me very much of Mt. Fuji which I climbed before. You may read about this experience within this site as well. Note that Teide it is only 58 meters lower. I could warmly recommend it to everybody. But do prepare before going there, and please leave your comments below regardless if you have been there or not.
If you plan to go to Tenerife, just to know that you can do your accommodation reservation through Booking.com. I have used their services many times in the past and can fully recommend them. Did you know that they have their Genius Loyalty Program, so you can save a lot if you book through them several times.
I hope you like the text. If this is so please share it with others, and do leave me some comment below. I wish you a pleasant day.
Boyan Stoyanov says
Hello, Jovo,
Thank you for the detailed information! My girlfriend and I are planning to climb Teide in the middle of June. I was wondering do you know if it’s possible to rent hiking poles from somewhere? Unfortunately we will not be able to bring ours from Bulgaria.
Jovo says
Zdravo Boyan, great to hear from you. I am pretty sure that there is no place to rent poles. But there is a huge Decathlon department store above Santa Cruz when you go up towards La Laguna so you can buy them. They used to have also a small shop in the main street in Santa Cruz. There are models that are collapsible so in principle, you can take them back home in your suitcase.
If you wish it would be great to have some tour report, I have an open invitation for people who would like to share their experience in the site here.
Borislava Kaneva says
Hello Jovo,
I was interested in reading your post and commenting on it. My family is planning a visit to Teide Park on April 5th. Because we love walks in the nature, but we are not very trained for mountain climbing, we plan a lift upstairs and a downhill walk downstairs. Please let me know how we could do it: where to leave the car, take the lift, go downstairs and get back to the car.
Jovo says
Hi Borislava, you can leave the car at the lift station. Normally it is crowded especially on weekends but you will find the place. So go up and take a walk and then descend towards the mountain hut Altavista, this is the only one so you cannot miss it. Then just descend, there is only one path and you will get to the road. So when you get to the road, you walk around 2 km along the road to the lift station. This is all self-evident, you will realize when you get there. Pozdrav.
Przemek says
Hey Jovo,
again thanks for very informative texts.
But yet I have a question 😉 again. We plan to climb the Teide but on a way back to take cable car down.
Is there any path/trail that we could take in a proximity of Low station of cable car? Or the only option is to leave the car there and go down the Teide to where the trail 7 is starting, and start our climbing from there?
Best regards,
Przemek.
Jovo says
It is a couple kilometer walk along the road from the Montana Blanca parking for the climbing tour, to the cable car station. So you will have to walk or to hitchhike, I did something similar when I traversed the mountain on my Parador – Pico Viejo – Teide – Montana Blanca tour. I left the car at Montagna Blanca and then asked somebody for a drive to Parador where I started the tour. So the car was waiting for me at the end of the long walk.
Przemek says
Thanks Jovo,
the adventure is closer and closer 🙂
Przemek.
Jovo says
You will enjoy it. Let me know.
Stephen says
The mountain and hike look absolutely beautiful. I’ve been to Tenerife but never actually got to chance to climb up Teide, it’s just made its way onto my list.
Am I right in that Teide is Spain’s highest mountain? Obviously not mainland but the country of Spain (including all its islands). I’ve got a thing about climbing the highest peak in each country I visit.
Jovo says
Yes, El Teide is formally the highest Spanish mountain. Next in the list should be Sierra Nevada peaks close to Granada.
Sam says
Hi,
Next year, we are planning to do the cable car up to La Rambleta and then climb to the summit from there. I was just wondering how long the round trip takes (La Rambleta – summit – La Rambleta)?
Sam
Jovo says
Hi Sam, this is easily done, some 150 meters of height difference, comfortably done in 30 – 40 minutes up. But if you get the altitude sickness then this is a different story. I hardly managed in my 6th climb (from the road of course), yet 5 times before that no issues at all.
Juuso Waris says
Hi Jovo! Thank you for your excellent article! I really enjoyed reading and got inspired to climb to the top. Unfortunately there are no passes available the time me and my friend are in Tenerife 1.-7.1.2017). You wrote that one is ” supposed to go through the checkpoint at La Rambleta (3555m)”.
Is that the first and only checkpoint? I think we might be content with 3555m. What do you suggest? Thank you so much if you could help!
-Juuso and Loviisa
Jovo says
Hi Juuso, great to hear from you.
Yes, this is the only checkpoint. “Between you and me”, it is quite easy to pass unnoticed. When you come there you will realize that there are ways to do so, I did it a few times.
But to avoid any possible embarrassment, formally the easiest way is to climb the summit when the guards are not there. So you have two options: a) to pass the checkpoint before they come in the morning (they come with the first lift from bellow), or, b) to pass the checkpoint after they have left in the afternoon (they leave with the last lift). So again, I did it both ways. Several times climbed solo overnight so I was there before guards, and once I was leading a group and we were there after 5 PM. You can read about this episode in this text. Note, for any of the two options you would need to have a torch. The second option is far easier, you will climb during the day and on the way back you will be descending in the dark, but you will be familiar with the route so this should not be a problem.
Kadi Liis says
Hello Jovo!
I’m so lucky that I found Your website! It is really good!
I have one question. Do You know, where is it possible to buy Teide hiking routes map ?
Thank You!
Jovo says
Hi Kadi, many thanks. I enjoyed climbing and hiking on Tenerife so this is all first-hand experience. I have never used any map there myself and did not have any gadget, but have seen some books with hiking tours.
One that I remember was in a shop above Weyler square in Santa Cruz, the other was in a tourist office in Masca (I even remember it had title something like ’40 hiking routes on Tenerife’ and I always regretted I did not buy it). I am sure you will be able to find them also in any tourist office, and perhaps also in the Anaga car rental office in Santa Cruz. They are a small agency but I always rented a car there. Let me know if you need any help.
Gui says
Hello Jovo!
First of all: awesome reviews! Looks really fun to climb.
My girlfriend and I are planning to go climb Teide in June 2017, probably with a night in the Altavista Hut. We were just wondering what kind of temperature can we expect? Around noon in Montana Blanca starting point and outside the hut in the early morning?
Also, I guess a good way to go there is with a rental car, let it for the night in the parking lot (with our big travel backpacks in the trunk, while bringing a smaller backpack uphill).
Also, we do not have huge climbing experience, but I guess if we walk/climb during this winter/next spring and do the climb to the hut slowly, it should be okay?
Thank you very much,
Gui
Jovo says
Hi Guy, great to hear from you. Thank you for the kind words.
The temperature feeling will depend on wind situation. I would be ready for zero temperature in any case, so have gloves and a cap for sure. There are links to check the situation.
Your plan sounds reasonable, if you are staying in the hut you do not have to carry a lot. Make sure to have reservation, the hut is usually sold out months in advance. The parking is rather small, so if you cannot find a place just continue along the road in the direction of Parador, less than a kilometer on the left there is yet another parking.
This is just a walk all the time, you do not need any particular experience, but you will feel altitude. If you plan to get to the summit to watch sunrise, you will need a headlamp. Best luck.
Gui says
Perfect!
Thank you very much!
Sean says
Hi Jovo,
Thanks for the well informed description. It will come in very handy.
I am 52 and planning on staying staying overnight in the alta vista refuge in September – so that I can climb the rest of the way the following morning to see the sunrise.
Since I am doing this alone, I was planning on getting the cable car up. I am fit but not an experienced climber/trekker.
My only concern is altitude sickness. Would you recommend walking up so that I can more easily acclimatize to the altitude?
Maybe I should climb to the summit before goint to the refuge?
Thanks.
Jovo says
Hi Sean, great to hear from you. If you take the cable car (the idea which I dislike, but that is just me), then you will in fact descend some 300 meters to go to the hut. Then in the morning you will walk the same route again, so this does not sound great, but certainly you can do it that way.
I suggest you to walk, I am older than you and I did it 6 times, you are fit so you will manage. It is straightforward walk, rough terrain though, but not much more than that.
Altitude sickness can indeed be an issue. In my 6th climb I hardly managed to the summit, hard to believe, but this is a fact. In one of the texts which you have in the site, I described how I met 2 people descending during the night because of the altitude sickness one of them developed. There is no way to predict this, you do not have much chance to acclimatize, walking up will not help, you need at least 10 days to acclimatize.
So this is a bit of a gamble, unpredictable, general physical condition or age play no role at all. Have a torch so if you do not feel good during the night, you just go back. This is the reason why I would suggest you to walk, you will learn the route during the day, so if you have to descend overnight it will be easier and you will know where you are in every moment.
Let me know if I can further help. Make sure you have reservation, it is always full.
Sean says
Jovo, you make a good point about knowing the route in case I have to come down. I will certainly think about it.
One reason I was using the cable car to get up was simply because I know I can leave my car at the car park there (I sent them an email).
But I have a reservation for the refuge. So, one way or another, I will be there.
Thanks again.
Jovo says
You can leave the car at the Montagna Blanca parking as well, this is the beginning of the route to Teide and to the hut.
Diego says
Hi Jovo, we are climbing the Teide in mid June. Spending the night in the hut.
Do you have a thorough list of recommended equipment that might help us get a jumpstart?
Also we are planning on bringing 2L camelbaks each, will these be enough? I dont think there are any water sources, is this accurate?
Thanks!
Jovo says
Hi Diego. So you managed to find a place in the hut, lucky you. This means you also have permit included. I have never stayed in hut but know people who did. Try to get bed in the lower level because people were telling me it can be very stuffy and hot inside. As far as I have seen they have running water in toilets and I think it was drinkable. They also have some vending machine for soft drink and coffee. Do not know more, I passed it 6 times in my climbs but I would only make a short break there.
As for the rest, I would not go without 3 liters of liquid but this is individual and it means being independent of the hut. There are no water sources around, it is dry like Mars. No special equipment is needed, strong and used hiking boots because it is very rough volcanic terrain. I only had three layers: polo shirt, fleece, Gore Tex jacket. You will need a knitted beanie and gloves. Long hiking trousers were enough for me, but I always have waterproof pants in the pack. I always use trekking poles.
If you have a chance make a traverse, with Pico Viejo included, you have this described in the site. I did this tour 2 times. Best luck and let me know if I can help.
Tyler Redlev says
Your site is so impressive.
Teide seems like a simple non-green mountain but the most interesting fact was that it was placed on an island. You go all that way to an island to climb a mountain. Now that is something that you can’t come across everyday! Keep up the good work sir!
Jovo says
Many thanks Tyler, yes Teide mountain is a volcano and also very high so this is a terrain like on Mars. But lower areas in the north side are green and very pleasant with enough rain to keep everything green all the year around.
J-Money says
I love to hike and breath fresh air
I really liked the topic of your article and also I enjoyed the visuals you provide
I also really enjoyed the way you displayed your content and the content itself
I think it is important for people to be intact with nature
Jovo says
Hi, many thanks for visiting this post and for the comment, this means a lot to me, in particular because of Teide, the mountain I climbed 6 times so far.
Todd says
Thanks for your excellent guide on Teide Mountain, you photos and videos are excellent and it’s really great to read your personal perspective and here of your accents.
Just wanted to say thanks for your informative guide and I look forward to reading more of your hiking adventures.
Cheers,
Todd
Jovo says
Thank you Todd, I am happy that you like my text about Teide mountain. Best wishes in the new year.
CG says
Thanks for an incredible tour of some of Europe’s mountains. I would love to see your observations of the Canadian Rockies which are just a couple of hours away by car for me. I love hiking as opposed to climbing and am looking to re-visit Oberau, Austria next summer – I went skiing there 30 years ago on a school trip and always wanted to return in warmer weather (living in Canada I see enough snow). Is that a good area to base myself for hiking or should I look elsewhere?
Jovo says
Hi CG, thank you for the comment. It is a pity I have not visited Rockies yet so cannot say anything really. Regarding your question, if you are speaking about Oberau which is to the east of Innsbruck, I would say mountains are not so high there and if you are keen in hiking it could be a nice place. Austria is a wonderful country and I am sure you will enjoy wherever you go.
Chris says
Awesome Review!
I enjoy having outdoor adventures and while I have never climbed this particular mountain, I have snowboarded in the Appalachian Mountains quite a few times and absolutely love it and I hiked the Rockies out West which wasn’t as satisfying but the views were amazing.
Have you ever hiked or ventured any of the mountains here in the U.S. ? A great one to review would be the Smoky Mountains.
Great Post!
Jovo says
Hi Chris, no I have not been so lucky to enjoy mountains in US, but this might change and I know I shall enjoy it. Thank you for visiting my site.
chrisJ says
I love your posts J. So clean and professional. You also always have plenty of visuals for me to look at. I love the map in he middle of the post to see the diferent terrains. I love seeing the personal photos with the house and mountains. This adds authenticity and value for readers who visit your page.
Jovo says
Hi Chris, thank you for the comment. In this particular case there are no houses around, this is because Teide is an uninhabited volcanic area, and very high, national park. In some other posts I have more personal stuff, again about Teide, like here or here. These are reports from my other climbs to Teide mountain.
Zeno81 says
Your blog is quickly becoming one of my favorite websites. I’m bookmarking it, because right now I’m a “recreational climber” when it comes to mountains (I’ve hiked several on three different continents), but once I have the time and money, you’re the guy I’m going to for equipment and expertise. Fantastic website!
Jovo says
Hi Zeno81, great to read your comment. Thank you for reading my text about Teide. In fact I climbed it a few times, perhaps you might like to see this story where the group of us climbed it to enjoy the sunset.
Todd says
I really enjoy reading your posts, and more specifically, I enjoy looking at the awesome photos from the tops of the world. You really keep the articles interesting, and make me want to get out there and start hiking or climbing. Where is your favourite mountain? Or is that too hard to decide?
Jovo says
Hi Todd. Thank you for visiting my site and for kind words.As for your question, indeed it is hard to decide. And there are many more to climb yet.
renan says
Hi Jovo,
I had forgotten what healthy and satisfying it is to climb a mountain that I’ll think again because my grandchildren are growing and I would like them to guide them to this pleasant way of life exciting and adventurous moments.
It could be possible to include in your advice and teachings if we recommend some kind of power when you’re climbing a mountain in snow or cold weather?. Otherwise congratulations on the beautiful shared photos and interesting videos. Thank you very much, I liked your site very illustrative.
Jovo says
Hi Renan, thank for the comment. It is great that you like my photos. I am not completely sure about the question from your comment. There are great places in mountains where you can go even with grandchildren.
Hamilton says
Hey Jvranjes, I have to commend you on your beautifully designed website it really compares to mount Teide. Thanks for your article on Teide mountain it was very informative. The mountain seems to be something to appreciate in person. Hope to be able to make a trip there, although may have to conquer my fear of height first
Jovo says
Hi Hamilton, thank you for kind words. No problem with vertigo on Teide, this is a large massif and just a hard walk. You will feel safe ground under your feet. I hope you will manage to get there someday.
Maria says
Hi there ,photos are outstanding, it makes me feel like I am there, I can almost feel the coldness of the place! lol. Unfortunately, I have never been anywhere with snow so have no idea what that feels like, The coldest I have experienced here in Australia where I am is -2degrees and I am already feeling the chill. You have been to a lot of beautiful places and thanks for sharing that in your website. I hope one day I can go to places you have been to. 🙂 Maria
Jovo says
Hi Maria, thanks for reading my text and for the comment. So you like my photos, there are many more on some other pages about Tenerife within the site. I wish you to visit the place once.
Javier says
What a wonderful and incredible place. And you live there! There’s something unmatched at volcanic landscapes. It remember me a lot my travel to desert like environments. Pretty silent, and beautiful, to hear only your own breath and the sea noise.
I would love to climb it from the sea, like you show at the map. But I clicked at your link and it still closed to public acces. You have any idea when it is going to open again?
Thank you, you made me happy with this post.
Jovo says
Hi Javier. Thank you for the comment. As I understand you ask for the link where one can get permission to climb. In fact it always open for climb. It is just that they limit a number of people per day. So what you see is that it is fully booked.
One way around it is to stay in the hut and then permission is granted, though the problem is that the hut is also always fully booked. But you may climb after the guards leave (at 5 pm) to enjoy sunset. This is describe here on my post.
TheDopestMatrix says
First off, the place looks absolutely beautiful! And it’s free to get a pass? That’s pretty cool, now why is it that you have to go in 2 hour intervals through the checkpoints? I’m guessing you don’t live there, or do you? I wasn’t quite sure where it was at first, until I zoomed out on the map provided, It’s going to be a while before i can make it but I’d love to climb it with you one day!
Thanks for sharing!
Matt TheDopestMatrix
Jovo says
Hi, thanks for the comment. Tenerife is a bit remote but beautiful place. Those 2 hours intervals are introduced by authority to limit the number of people per day, to prevent erosion etc. The pass is free and you can get it through my site in a matter of minute, but do it well in advance. And yes, I am living here on Tenerife for the time being.
robert Lawrence says
Wow this is a great looking website and a great post as well.
The pictures are absolutely stunning. Great job.
It looks like the weather there is fairly mild. What time of year would you say is the best time to climb this mountain?
Also, what city would someone have to fly into to get the closest access to this climb?
Robert
Jovo says
Hi Robert. Thanks for the comment. Yes, weather on Tenerife is like eternal spring, so climbing Teide is throughout the year. The island is not big, there are two airports, in the north and in the south, and you can access Teide from several sides as I described in my page.
sharon says
Jovo you have had some interesting experiences. love the site.
Jovo says
Interesting and great indeed. Thanks. Jovo
Marcus says
That must be a lot of hard work to get to the top of Teide mountain, but I bet you get an amazing feeling of achievement once you reach the summit. It must be amazing to be above the clouds like that.
Jovo says
Yes Marcus, it is always a great feeling of achievement. Thanks for the comment. Jovo
Best iPhone 6 Plus Case says
Wow! Teide Mountain is definite a wonder. Thanks for all the great information.
Jovo says
Thank you, I could not agree more. Jovo
Gregory says
Hello Jovo,
Great photo’s and good description of the surrounding. Tenerife is still beautiful.
Hope you enjoy climbing back again.
Regards
~Gregory~
Jovo says
Thank you Gregory. I plan to climb it again very soon. You might read about it on my site. Jovo
Dianne says
Wow! Not sure how I ended up here, but do you ever have an exciting life with this! Your pictures are so vivid, I just wanted to keep looking. Did you take all of the pictures yourself. It sure reinforces the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. I could totally see how people wanting to climb this mountain would get a lot out of the info and pics you have provided here.
Jovo says
Many thanks for kind words Dianne. All pictures are mine, this holds for everything on my site. This is my rule from the beginning. It makes me happy realizing that you like them. Jovo
Peggy Menke says
Hello, Jovo. Man, what a bummer, but I’m sure you will make that sunrise soon. Love the photos as usual they are awesome. I do like reding about your adventures. Thanks for sharing!
Jovo says
Thank you Peggy, yes I am going to climb it again in a couple of weeks. So I shall try to get in time. Jovo