Getting there
- Flights to Tenerife (TFS) 25 km from the start
Treks / Spain (Canary Islands)
Mount Teide
Spain (Canary Islands) · Nearest city: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
TypeDay hike
Days1–2
Distance≈ 17 km
Climbing≈ 1,400 m
Highest point3,715 m
Spain's highest mountain, a volcano rising from Tenerife's moon-like caldera. Many walkers stay at the Altavista refuge for sunrise.
Fitness
Hard
Best seasonAll year
High pointTeide summit
High altitude
Watch out: A free permit is needed for the final summit path, released months ahead.
Why people choose it
It's the highest mountain in Spain, and watching sunrise from the summit with Teide's shadow over the ocean is unforgettable.
What makes it different
- A volcano rising from the Atlantic
- Summit shadow at sunrise
- Refuge night option for the sunrise
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 3,715 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is regulated by each region and generally banned in natural parks. Mountain refuges and campsites are the norm.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Montaña Blanca → Teide
Simple overview map
Step by step
-
Months before
Plan and book
- Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
- Best time to go: All year.
-
6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
-
Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
-
On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
- Climb slowly and take the acclimatisation days seriously.
-
The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: All year
October to April
Cool months
Comfortable temperatures at the base, but cold, windy and sometimes snowy on the summit.
Bring
- Warm layers, hat and gloves
- Windproof jacket
- Check access and weather
May to September
Warm months
Hot at the start and cool on top, with very strong sun on dark volcanic rock.
Bring
- Lots of water
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Warm layer for the summit
All year
Any time
Volcanic activity or wind can close summit areas at short notice.
Bring
- Check official access updates
- Sturdy boots for loose rock
- A plan B
Be ready for
High altitude
Above about 3,000 m the air holds less oxygen. Walk slowly, drink plenty, don't rush acclimatisation days, and go down if you get a bad headache, nausea or confusion.
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Strong wind
Exposed ridges and summits can be very windy and cold. A windproof layer and hat are worth carrying even on warm days.
What you'll see
7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Mount Teide
Photo credits: Roque Cinchado und Teide by Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons; Teide Canadas by Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Montana Blanca on Tenerife by Chmee2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Frotaleza from Montana Blanca by Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Orange sunrise on the Slope of El Teide, Tenerife, Spain by Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pico del Teide - summit by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; View from El Teide Summit, Tenerife, Spain by Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
.JPG){kind=link}
