One of the most popular tourist destinations that you should definitely not miss when visiting Tenerife is the hike up the highest mountain in Spain, Pico del Teide (3 718 m), which is also an active volcano and a natural symbol of the whole island. Believe me, if you go here, you will not regret it. The unique lunar landscape full of lava formations and sulphur springs is worth seeing, as are the unprecedented views of the ocean and snow-white clouds. The impressive El Teide can be found roughly in the centre of the island in the national park of the same name, which covers 36% of the island. On the way to the top, keep in mind that altitude problems (headaches, difficulty breathing, high intensity of sunlight) may occur.
Permission to enterPermission of
the National Park. The permit is issued
free of charge, due to the huge demand it must be
booked well in advance. Usually permits are
sold out 2-3 months in advance! Permits are only needed for the last 700 metres of the route called "Telesforo Bravo" (see
route map) from the top station of the cable car to the summit.
There is only one basic hiking route to the top of
Pico del Teide .
Montaña Blanca - La Rambleta
The starting point is at the car park at a place called Montaña Blanca. The car park is very small and there is often parking in the open spaces along the road. The climb is quite challenging, but the average trained hiker can do it without special equipment. However, good quality and sturdy hiking boots are a must. The first half of the route (about 4 km) is comfortable and only slightly uphill on a gravel road. The second half is steeper and very rocky, where a rather narrow path is trodden. However, you don't have to worry about the downright dangerous sections. You can spend one night in the Refugio de Altavista hut. However, you need to make a reservation in advance. The hut is located at an altitude of 3,271 metres above sea level. After about 8.5 km, you will reach the top station of the cable car, from where you have only a 700m stretch to the top. At the beginning of this section, the national park guards always check the permits.
Distance: 9.5 km one way
Time: approx. 5 hours there + 2.5 hours back
Elevation: approx. 1350 metres
Difficulty: difficult (no special equipment required)
La Catedral
The second route leads from the rock formations of La Catedral on the other side of the mountain around the top of Pico Viejo. It is longer, gentler, but leads through more difficult terrain, where the path often gets lost among the rocks and sometimes is not at all legible or marked. For this reason too, this path is considerably less frequented.
Distance: 10 km one way
Time: approx. 5.5 hours there + 3 hours back
Elevation: approx. 1570 metres
Difficulty: difficult(no special equipment required)
Lift to Pico del Teide
You can reach the altitude of 3,555 metres by a suspended cable car, which can be reached by car or by bus number 342. The bottom station of the cable car is at 2,356 metres and the entire route to the summit is covered by a pair of modern cabins in less than 8 minutes.
The cable car operates
daily throughout the year:First ride: 9.00 a.m.
Last trip up: 16:00
Last trip down: 16:50
Ticket prices are as follows:
€21 one way (children 3-13 years old for €10.50)
37 EUR return (children 3-13 years for 18,50 EUR)
Seats are limited and tickets for the cable car can only be purchased
online on
the cable car website