Last Updated on November 11, 2025
The volcano Pico del Teide (often simply called Teide) is not only the highest mountain in Spain — if we include the Canary Islands as part of the Spanish kingdom — but also the fourth highest volcano in the world. Its total height from the ocean floor is an incredible 7,500 meters. The volcano last erupted in 1909, when a 5-kilometer-long lava flow poured down its northwestern slope. Today it is considered dormant, but because of the nearby populated areas, the volcano is listed among the Decade Volcanoes, a list of the 16 most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Did it wake up during my visit? This article will give you all necessary tips which you need for your successful summit and you can also read about my personal experience.
Important information for climbing Teide
Name: Teide, Mount Teide, Pico del Teide, El Teide
Short description of the ascent: Long non-technical hike with high elevation gain
Essential equipment: Hiking poles recommended, clothes for both cold and hot weather, a lot of water, sun cream
Fees or restrictions: Permit necessary from 9 a.m.
Camping allowed: No
Nearest accommodation/food supply: Refugio de Altavista hut – currently closed!
Best accommodation at the starting point: Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide
Height of the peak: 3,715 m.a.s.l.
Easiest route to the summit: Cable car and short walk or Montaña Blanca parking area
Distance to the summit: 9.4 km
Elevation gain: 1,347 m
Time required: Ascent 4–7 hours, descent 2.5–4.5 hours
Best time to climb: Possible year-round, ideally April–May and September–October
Water availability on the mountain: No water, bring a lot!
Difficulty level: *** (6 stars maximum)
Personal mountain interest rating: ***** (6 stars maximum)
Peak beer: Dorada Pilsen ** (6 stars maximum)
What is the highest peak of Spain?
If you google this question, you might see two answers – Pico del Teide (3715 m.a.s.l.) and Mulhacén (3478 m.a.s.l.). The situation is a bit complicated. Teide is indeed Spain’s highest peak, but geographically it does not belong to Europe. On top of that, the Canary islands have significant autonomy so some people regard it as a “de facto” separate country. Since the Guinness World Record definition of the geographical highest points of Europe regarded Mulhacén as the highest peak of Spain, I climbed Mulhacén as part of my European Peaks expedition. However, Teide tempted me so much that I decided to visit it later and here comes my story including tips for your successful summit.
When is the best time to climb Teide?
It is possible to climb Teide all year round but the best times to climb the highest peak of Canary islands is from April to May and September to October. During these months, the weather is most stable — warm days, mild nights, and fewer clouds blocking the view.
Winter (November to March) can bring snow and strong winds near the summit, while summer (June to August) is often very hot on the lower slopes. If you want clear skies for sunrise photography, spring and autumn are ideal for hiking Teide. I climbed Teide at the beginning of November and it was still pretty good weather. Follow my personal experience in this article to get the whole picture of our weather conditions.
How to Get a Teide Summit Permit?
If you plan to reach the actual crater and its summit after 9 a.m., you’ll need a summit access permit. These are free but limited and often sell out weeks in advance. Book them at the official site of Volcano Teide. To hike without a permit, start your ascent early at night and reach the summit before 9 a.m., just like we did.
What Are the Best Routes to the Top of Teide?
There are three main routes to reach the summit of Teide:
- Montaña Blanca Route (Standard Trail)
The classic hiking route starting from the Montaña Blanca parking area (about 2,350 m). It’s 9.4 km to the top with 1,347 meters of elevation gain. Most hikers overnight at Refugio de Altavista (if open) and continue to the top at dawn. - Pico Viejo Route (Scenic Descent)
A longer trail leading past the spectacular Pico Viejo crater, offering amazing views across the island and to La Gomera. This is a great option for the descent. - Cable Car Route (Teleférico del Teide) –
The fastest and easiest way to reach the upper station at 3,555 m.
From there, it’s a 40-minute walk to the summit — but you need a permit.
Each route has its charm — the Montaña Blanca trail is the most rewarding for experienced hikers. If you decide to hike up and would like to take a different route on the way down, consider taking back the Pico Viejo Route. We decided for this combination and I will give you detailed tips for these routes in this article. If you want to take it easy to the top, book a cable car.
Map of the recommended route to Teide and back
My story of climbing Teide
If you decide to climb Teide, you will get to know the mountain already from the plane when you land at Teneriffe airport. It’s spectacular. Since there are clouds being formed almost daily at the altitude of 800 to 1,000 meters, you will have a wonderful view of the peak of Teide sticking out from a sea of clouds.
What should you be aware of before climbing Teide?
Two things could endanger your a successful climb: bad weather and poor acclimatization. In November, snowstorms can hit the summit, and strong freezing winds are common. To maximize our chances, we booked the whole week at Teneriffe and chose the day with the best forecast.
We also planned some time for acclimatization. Surprisingly, many underestimate acclimatization on Teide. I spoke with two friends who had climbed it and both said they suffered from severe headaches. We wanted to avoid that so we booked accommodation on the Las Cañadas del Teide plateau, at the volcano’s base. We were lucky to find a room in the Parador de Cañadas del Teide hotel (alt. 2,100 m). Usually it’s quite packed — the hotel’s altitude and mild climate make it popular with professional cycling teams from around the world.
Acclimatization Hike to El Sombrero
After sleeping in a bed likely used by previous Tour de France winners, we felt refreshed so we decided to have breakfast with a view. Several surrounding peaks offer perfect views of both the ocean and Teide at sunrise — something we couldn’t miss. We chose El Sombrero (2,523 m) because we liked the name, and indeed it looked just like a sombrero. Who wouldn’t want to have breakfast on a hat?
Unfortunately, the route on mapy.com app let us down this time. It turned out that there is no trail anymore. We had to climb through rough terrain, so it took longer than expected. I would recommend Guajara instead. Luckily we had time to spare and still reached the summit just before sunrise. The first bite of leftover pizza with that view — across the plateau with Teide in the center — was the perfect reward.
Planning the Ascent of Pico del Teide
The climb to Teide is regulated due to high tourist demand. After 9 a.m., you can only reach the summit with a permit or by taking the cable car — both available at Volcano Teide. The biggest downside is that you would miss the spectacular sunrise there. The unique sunrise at Teide shows the largest cone-shaped shadow in the world and that’s something you don’t want to miss! We decided for this option – we will climb Teide before sunrise and descend before 9 a.m.. It sounds like the perfect plan but there is one obstacle: waking up at 2 a.m.
Night Ascent to the Summit of Teide
The alarm rings. We quickly wake up, put on warm clothes and head out for a short drive. We won’t be the only climbers. At the Montaña Blanca parking area, three cars and six other adventurers are already preparing for the climb.
It’s 2:55 a.m. We turn on our GPS watches and start hiking. It’s cold — the car thermometer showed −6°C — but thankfully there’s almost no wind, a rarity on Teide. As we ascend, we slow down more and more as the air gets thinner.
After just under three hours we reached Refugio de Altavista, where we would normally spend the night. But the hut was closed due to renovation. We took a break on a bench outside and heated up breakfast from the Czech brand Adventure Menu to refuel for the final stretch.
Entering the Regulated Zone and Reaching the Top
The upper cable car station wasn’t far but there it was the coldest point of our hike. The local thermometer was showing −10°C. Luckily the wind was mild so we weren’t freezing too much.
From the station, we entered the regulated zone leading to the summit. Dawn was breaking which meant that our timing was perfect. The trail was well-maintained by stone steps, though the smell of rotten eggs made it a bit less pleasant. The first time Joanne smelled it, she turned to me with her favorite Czech word: “Jarda, you prase (pig).”
She didn’t believe my excuse about volcanic gases at first, but once we saw steam vents nearby, she forgave me. These sulfur-rich fumes clearly show that the volcano isn’t extinct — just sleeping, waiting for its time.
Sunrise on Teide: The Longest Mountain Shadow in the World
After the well-earned summit beer, it was time for documenting the sunrise. I didn’t know where to look first — the sunrise on one side or Teide’s incredible shadow stretching over the sea on the other. Teide casts the longest mountain shadow in the world, up to 200 km long. Both views were so breathtaking that I had to run around to capture everything. We spent a full hour on the summit. Then we had to hurry down to reach the cable car area before 9 a.m. From this time, you need a permit.
Descent via Pico Viejo Crater
For the descent from the top of cable car back to the plateau, we had two options: the same route or a longer one via the Pico Viejo crater. Not wanting to take the same path twice, we chose the longer way and it was worth it. The view into the crater was unforgettable — but so was the feeling inside my boots. Below 3,000 m, the wind stopped, the sun was already high, and the air heated quickly. Inside my boots it felt first like a sauna, then like a hot bath. The trail seemed endless — no shade, no water refill points. Exactly how I’d always imagined a desert trek.
Our energy lasted just to the hotel door — we wouldn’t have made it any further. We arrived an hour after checkout, but we didn’t even have to apologize or ask to shower. The layer of desert dust on our bodies spoke for us: “No problem, we’re used to late returns from Teide,” the receptionist said kindly. “Go ahead and take a shower.”
My tips for visiting Teide:
- Plan your summit before 9 a.m. to avoid the registration requirement and stay flexible.
- Don’t underestimate acclimatization — spend two nights at Parador de Cañadas del Teide and do one warm-up hike nearby.
- Bring plenty of water, and pack clothing for extreme temperature changes — freezing nights and scorching return hikes.
- Never underestimate the weather, especially the wind.
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