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

One of the most common inquiries people have when taking a trip to Tenerife is how to visit Mount Teide. This famous volcano is the highest 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 activities to engage in in Tenerife.

Therefore, if visiting the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife, be sure to take the hike up Mount Teide, regarded as a must experience attraction located in Spain. I understand that this outing may seem daunting, so in this guide I`ll explain what you need to know and suggest the optimum ways to explore Mount Teide.

The first thing you should know is that you can ascend Mount Teide independently, or you can book one of the tours in Tenerifethat goes to this mountain. In this article, I’ll tell you all the options so you can choose the one that suits your physical ability, budget, and preferences.

How to visit Mount Teide

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

You can hike up Teide mountain independently, or drive or take the cable car – so there are options suitable for all travelers.

Go up Mount Teide by cable car

Taking the aerial tram up Mount Teide is the most convenient way, and it’s the choice most visitors select.

The cable car station sits at an altitude of 7,730 feet above sea level and connects to La Rambleta, which sits at an elevation of 11,660 feet. To reach the top of Teide volcano, you will need to complete the remaining approximately 530 feet on foot.

Moreover, the cable car transports individuals over a region of the mountain where the landscape is very inconsistent, which is why it’s one of the most popular approaches to ascend Mount Teide. The outing lasts slightly less than 10 minutes, so you can rest back and appreciate the gorgeous perspective of Teide mountain and its surroundings.

If you want to go up the volcano by cable car, I advise booking your ticket ahead of time here.

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

Climb Mount Teide on your own

If you’re in good physical condition and enjoy hiking, you can climb Mount Teide.

There exist numerous hiking routes that enable you to visit Mount Teide. We undertook Trail 7, or the Montaña Blanca pathway, which is among the most popular climbs in Tenerife. It originates at the base of the White Mountain, situated quite near to the cable vehicle station. From here, you must hike approximately 5 miles to attain La Rambleta, which rises 11,660 feet above sea level.

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

Once reached La Rambleta, you’ll find multiple additional routes, such as Trail 10 or Telesforo Bravo, which leads to the peak of Mount Teide. It’s a brief trail, merely 1,970 feet in length, but it’s rather difficult owing to the 656-foot elevation gain. To take this trail, you’ll need to request a permit in advance since only 200 individuals can enter this area on a daily basis.

There are also other routes I recommend in the vicinity: Path 11, which leads to the Mirador de la Fortaleza viewpoint, and Path 12 to the Mirador del Pico Viejo viewpoint. From the Mirador de la Fortaleza, you’ll have incredible views of the southern part of the island, while the northern region can be seen from the Mirador del Pico Viejo. These two trails are perfect if you wish to climb Teide without a permit.

If choosing to ascend Teide mountain with a guide, I suggest this full-day hiking excursion, which incorporates the permit. Recall, you’ll need to acquire the permit to climb Teide if venturing to hike alone.

Visit Mount Teide by car

If exploring other possibilities intrigues you, you are able to drive up Mount Teide by automobile. While reaching the peak won`t be possible by driving, you can go as far as the base of the volcano, where the cable car station lies. The parking lot in this locale is free of charge, so be certain to park there to avoid any violations or related problems.

If climbing to the peak of Mount Teide in Tenerife is desired, hiking or cable car transportation is necessary. However, the summit cannot be reached if the latter option is chosen.

There are several routes which can be utilized to drive up Mount Teide, so regardless of which section of the island one is located in, access can be obtained without any issues. The best options from the south are Vilaflor Road (TF-21) and Chío Road (TF-38), which is suitable for people who become queasy on winding roads. If visiting Mount Teide, Tenerife from the north, take La Esperanza Road (TF-24) or La Orotava Road (TF-21).

Even if you do not arrive at the summit, the environs of the volcano of Teide, also known as Las Cañadas del Teide, is one place you cannot miss, and you can effortlessly get there by car. This area was made after various volcanic eruptions, so it’s a novel fusion of a desert landscape and peculiar stone formations, such as the Roques de Garcia. Furthermore, during the spring, you can see the tajinaste rojo, or tower of jewels, a plant that solely grows under specific conditions. Best of all, from here you can appreciate to what extent Mount Teide is elevated!

Permit to climb Mount Teide in Tenerife

You’ll need a permit to ascend 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 are only able to complete this journey on foot, and you must obtain a special permit to be granted access. Be aware that a daily limit of 200 hikers is in place to protect this natural area who can reach the summit.

Fortunately, permission is free of charge and can be requested through this connection, where you’ll need to pick a date, time slot, and the number of individuals in your group. I strongly advise applying for approval well in advance since, during high season, they sold out three months in advance.

Once you arrive at the peak of Mount Teide on Tenerife, you must present your permit receipt, or access to the summit will be denied.

How to Climb Teide without a permit

If you want to climb Mount Teide, Tenerife without a permit, be aware that you will only be able to reach La Rambleta. In other words, you won’t have access to Trail 10, so you won’t be able to attain 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.

Also, if securing passes to scale Mount Teide is not possible, another choice is booking a tour of Teide that features the permit or spending the night at 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 the different methods to access and request permission to climb Teide are known, some other important tips will be shared.

Check if you can climb Teide mountain today

Prior to ascending Teide, Tenerife`s volcano, confirm here whether the peak is accessible on your planned visit day.

This website will demonstrate if the facilities are operational, such as the cable car, parking area, 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 weather conditions or wildfire risk may force the Mount Teide facilities or trails to close. That’s why I recommend verifying 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 prudent to dress warmly when ascending Mount Teide on the island of Tenerife. Most visitors to the area bring attire suitable for spring and summer as temperatures here are usually higher for much of the year. However, when over 12,000 feet above sea level, the temperature differs greatly! Also, be sure to wear comfortable hiking footwear, especially hiking boots, if trekking Mount Teide.

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

The most suitable time period to journey via foot on Mount Teide is during the spring and autumn months. In winter, temperatures are much colder at the peak, and falling snow can make access unachievable. Summer isn’t an unacceptable time to visit, but it will be considerably warmer, which can make the walk somewhat tedious.

Regarding preferable timing to ascend Teide volcano, many travelers suggest hours between 12 pm and 4 pm for smaller crowds. However, we believe dawn prior provides the best vista to observe sunrise from the peak.

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

Spending the night in the Teide refuge was an amazing encounter. We were fortunate, though we had to book ahead, to remain overnight here, and we had an incredible time.

The Altavista Refuge accommodates up to 54 people with overnight reservations restricted to one night per guest. Lodge amenities include bedding while a small kitchen exists, but transporting water and food is advised since only vending machines are available, not a dining establishment. Additionally, the refuge has toilets but no showers, primarily serving as an overnight accommodations location.

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 reach 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.

Lodging can be reserved for an evening at Altavista as indicated here. However, if staying there is not preferred, one could go to the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide, which is directly next to the Teide volcano and is considered one of the better places to lodge in Tenerife.

Best tours to hike Mount Teide

For individuals who do not wish to explore the peak of Mount Teide by automobile, or who have not been able to obtain a permit to reach the summit, there are several excellent climbing excursions available. These trips are also what I would recommend if you are unsure how to ascend Mount Teide and desire a guide. While there are many options, these are the best tours:

• CHOICE 1: Excursion including cable car ride and mountaintop access

Finally, if you’re short on time but still want to partake in some sightseeing in Williamsburg, rent a bicycle and cycle along the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. It’s a wonderful outdoor activity to do in NYC, especially as a family group.

The approximate travel time by air between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote is around 2.5 hours as most flights include a stopover in Gran Canaria. Round-trip tickets start at approximately $125, but you can consult our guide on how to find reasonably priced flights to Lanzarote for suggestions to save money.

• OPTION 4: Hiking tour to ascend Mount Teide following the Montaña Blanca trail

As evident from the information provided, the tours depart from both the northern and southern regions of Tenerife, with alternatives that either include or exclude the cable car ride dependent on the level of hiking desired. If you want to learn more about the best excursions situated on Mount Teide, you can examine our guide for additional details.

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!