Climbing Mount Teide

Climbing the highest peak of Spain, mount Teide, is dreamed by many hikers that visit the island of Tenerife. The altitude of this volcano allows to watch several Canary Islands at the same time. Ascending Teide’s Peak means to be able to see all Tenerife Island from the highest point while smelling the sulphur of the active volcano that had the last eruption in the 1909. By the moment there is no risk on climbing this volcano.

Climbing Pico Teide using Cable Car and having the Permit

Many tourists that visits Tenerife take the cablecar that leads to La Rambleta at an altitude of 3550m over the sea. From there, if they have the permit given by Teide National Park’s authorities, it is easily reached the summit following the path nº10, the Telesforo Bravo path. In case of not having the permit, it won’t be able to walk the last part of the mountain due to regulations of visitors. This regulation means that only 200 people can take the permit and access to the summit but the local guides and tourist agencies have part of these permits so they quickly run out specially during summer, winter and holidays. 

Climbing Teide without Permit

Maybe you have already took a look to the permits and for the dates you are staying in Tenerife there are no permits. If you are considering about having a real experience about what climbing the mount Teide is about, we encourage you to take a look if it’s possible to book a night in Altavista de Teide Refuge. If you are lucky, you will be able to experience the unique sunrise from the top of Teide but first you will have to climb up to the refuge from Montaña Blanca through the path nº7 to Altavista mountain hut and go to sleep early. This hike takes around 6h and has an elevation gained of 1350m so is only indicated for those who are in shape or are experienced hikers.

Waking up at 4:30a.m to start climbing the mount Teide is the way to see the sunrise from the top and you will be able to see how the shadow of the volcano is  drawn in the ocean making an impressive triangle. You will be able to stay until 8:30a.m when you will have to go down and show to the workers there your reserval of the mountain hut. Only in this case is possible to reach the summit.

Problems with the permit

Since many people visit the mount Teide thanks to the help of the Cable Car, the Government of Tenerife had to put limits on the access to the top of the volcano, something that would not be necessary if the cable car would not be there. The massification of the mount Teide and its erosion and damages are occasionated by the instalation of this cable car that allow to climb to the Mount Teide hiking only 15min.

If you are considering to hike to Teide’s peak we encourage you to do it from the base of the mountain and having the experience of observe the sunrise from the summit.

Things you need to know:

-Despide of being in the Canarian Islands, above 3000m the temperature can easily go below 0ºC so you need to take warm clothes with you.
-Having the permit allows you to climb the last 150m during 2h and if in case of being late it won’t be possible to access.

-The permit is free of charge and you can get it online on the official website with at leats 2 months in advance. It allows you to walk to the top of the summit during 2 hours. So if you book your permit from 9a.m to 11a.m you can’t go at 12a.m because at that time there will be other people with the permit. So your permit only allows you to access during the timing you booked the permit.