Tenerife Mountain: The Volcano Teide
The Teide: one of a kind
Let me tell you an incredible story about the Teide.
The first inhabitants of Tenerife were the Guanches. Legend has it that they were afraid of a devil, called Guayota, who lived inside the volcano Teide. One day, the devil decided to imprison Magec, the God of Light and Sun, plunging the world into darkness ... Only by appealing to Achaman, the Supreme God, could the Guanches hope for the return of Magec, the light and the sun.
In a fierce battle with Guayota, Achaman managed to defeat the devil and threw him back into the volcano, sealing the summit of Teide with a sugar cap, meaning a sugar-covered, white peak that is crowning the mountain.
Since then, Guayota remains in the volcano, but to remind everyone that it is still alive, it spits out lava and rocks from time to time... The Teide National Park includes all the surroundings of the volcano, which in total covers an area of 189.9 square km and receives more than 4 million visitors every year. In 2007, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This national park is a real geological treasure, formed by marvellous volcanic landscape forms by lavas through time, which are commonly known as lunar landscapes. They take tourists to another dimension, making them believe that they are no longer on the same planet. Due to the particular climatic conditions, wildlife has sprouted in the lava fields, although the environment is quite hostile.
How high is the Teide?
Teide is 3,718 metres above sea level, which means that Teide is the highest peak in Spain! The volcano, which is still active, is located in the centre of Tenerife, one of the eight islands of the Canary archipelago.
Although they are located in the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Moroccan coast, they are part of Spain and therefore part of the European Union. Sometimes called "the islands of eternal spring" because of the particular climatic conditions all year round, they are home to numerous endemic species, which live in harmony with the local inhabitants.
On the one hand, the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife includes the western islands: El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma and Tenerife. On the other hand, the province of Las Palmas is made up of the eastern islands: La Graciosa, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria.
to follow on your holidays?
Don't miss the Teide peakexperience : on foot or by cable car.
Get to know the most visited national park in Europe and climb the highest peak in Spain. Exceed your limits in this excursion to Teide peak with permits.
If you want to live a unique and environmentally friendly experience, and also get to know the Teide National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the help of a guide Senda, book your place for a guided tour of Teide with permits.
How to get up Mount Teide?
There are two ways to get on the top of Teide Volcano:
- Climbing Teide by cable car: fast and comfortable or hiking,
- Climbing Teide on your own, starting at Cañadas del Teide: only for those in good physical shape and with no time limit.
If you want to enjoy an experience Senda and climb the Teide, the most visited national park, do not hesitate to choose our unique experience to visit the Teide.
Get on the top of Teide Volcano by cable car
One option is to climb to the summit of the Teide Volcano by cable car. You will go from the base station of the cable car, located at the foot of the Teide Volcano at an altitude of 2,356 metres, to the top station known as La Rambleta, located at an altitude of 3,555 metres.
The journey takes only 8 minutes. The Teide cable car operates as a taxi with a maximum capacity of 44 people, standing for the entire journey. The Teide cable car operates from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm with access for more than 200 people to this wonderful protected natural area.
The Teide base station has a rest area and cafeteria service, where you can enjoy a delicious mix of flavours while enjoying the incredible views of the Teide National Park. bar, a mixture of flavours while enjoying the incredible views of the Teide National Park.
However, the top cable car station has a small hall with toilets, WIFI and the highest public telephone in Spain. It is advisable to be prepared for changes in temperature and to take warm clothing. This place is the starting point for different routes.
We recommend that you book your tickets in advance, either online or by telephone, to avoid queuing. We find that the best time to access the cable car is before 11:00 am, as after that time, the car park starts to fill up and it is often a hassle.
In addition, it is important to keep an eye on the weather forecast: on windy or rainy days, the cable car may not operate. To make sure, take a look at the weather forecast and it will show you whether the cable car is open or not.
Please note that the cable car ticket does not include permission to access the peak of Teide.
Hiking routes in the Teide National Park
Once you reach La Rambleta at an altitude of 3,555 metres, you can book in advance three hiking routes that start from this point:
- Route to the Teide Crater (10, Telesforo Bravo). This route will take you to the highest peak in Spain, where you can enjoy the best landscapes in the world. The most beautiful thing of all is that on clear days you will be able to see the nearby islands of El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera and Gran Canaria from the summit.
- La Fortaleza Viewpoint Route ( nº11). A path on which we can observe the northern part of the island of Tenerife, an observatory where the centre of attention is the Orotava Valley and the mountain range of La Esperanza together with the Anaga massif.
- Pico Viejo Viewpoint Route (nº12). Thanks to the Pico Viejo viewpoint, we can see the beautiful southern part of the island of Tenerife: the great caldera of Cañadas del Teide, the scenic traces of its volcanic eruptions throughout history, the crater of Pico Viejo, the Roques de García and Montaña Guajara.
For environmental reasons, access to the peak is regulated, and you must apply for a permit to climb the peak issued by the National Park Administration. Remember to apply for the permit in advance and free of charge at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es.
In general, to complete such an incredible experience on the highest volcano in the world, we recommend spending the night at the Refugio Altavista, located at 3,250 metres. An adventure that will allow you to touch the stars.
It is the only refuge on the Teide, with a capacity for 54 people, and your stay is limited to one night per person. At the Refugio Altavista you can enjoy hot drinks and water, as well as the possibility of heating food. It is important to note that if you book at the Teide refuge and go up before 9:00 am, you do not need a permit to access the peak.
What to do on the Teide
Taking a walk through the lunar landscape is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will change you forever! Crossing a 17km. long caldera by car, enjoying unique wildlife, such as beautiful flowers like the 'tajinastes' or Teide daisies, and you might be lucky enough to see some endemic birds! If you like hiking, look no further!
The national park offers many trails of all difficulties, from very easy trails to long and difficult trails for experienced hikers. From the top of the volcano, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Tenerife and, in clear weather, the other islands of the archipelago will complete this incredible landscape - not forgetting that stargazing is also a must if you visit the national park!
Don't miss the astronomical observation activity in Cañadas del Teide.
