Visit the largest nature park in the Canary Islands
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Combine Mount Teide National Park with other Tenerife favorites. Some things are better together.
Yes! But you’ll need a permit for the Telesforo Bravo trail to climb to the very top of the summit. You can secure your permit from the national park’s official website. It’s worth noting that only 200 permits are granted each day, so if you really want to stand atop Spain’s highest point, book in advance.
Tiqets also offers a Teide Crater Climb Tour, which includes the permit. You'll ride to the upper cable car station, La Rambleta, which stands at 3,555 meters high, then take a 90-minute hike to reach the very top of the volcano.
If you really want to climb all the way from the base you’ll want the Montaña Blanca trail. It should take you around five and a half hours to climb Mount Teide, but bear in mind that it will only get you as far as La Rambleta cable station. You'll still need a permit to get to the summit.
If you’re pregnant or visiting with kids under three, unfortunately you won’t be able to go up. This is due to the high altitude and sudden changes in air pressure and oxygen levels from the quick ascent on the cable car. Please note that prams are also not allowed on the cable car.
Tenerife’s topography makes for diverse weather, so while flip-flops and swimwear are perfect at low elevations, you’ll need to dress warm for hiking Mount Teide. Your best bet is to wear layers, so if the hike gets too hot you can take something off.
Make sure you wear hiking boots and something breathable if you decide to make the climb to the peak. Whatever month you decide to climb, you’ll want to wear sun protection, so grab the factor 50, make sure you’ve packed your sunglasses, and bring a cap (or beanie if it’s winter).
The ride from the Teide Cable Car base station to the Teide Cable Car upper station takes eight minutes. You'll ride in a modern cabin that seats 44 people and offers up amazing views of the park as you ascend 1,200 meters.
It's no pipsqueak
It was formed 170,000 years ago, and if you were to measure it from the ocean floor it would be the third-highest volcano in the world at a whopping 7,500 meters. If you’re measuring from sea level though, it’s around half the height at 3,715 meters.
It's not extinct
Mount Teide is still active. The last time it erupted was in 1909 from the El Chinyero vent, and the last time there was major summit eruption was in 850AD.
It's full of endemic species
A number of species can only be found in Teide National Park, including flowers like the Teide white broom and the Teide bugloss, as well as animals such as the Canary Island lizard, the Canary Island wall gecko, and the Canary Island skink.
Teide National Park is the biggest nature park in the Canary Islands and a must-see attraction if you're visiting Tenerife.
Teide National Park features the Teide stratovolcano, which at 3,718 meters is the highest peak in Spain, followed by the island's second-highest point, Pico Viejo (3,135 meters). The mountainous landscape is a captivating sight to behold on Tenerife. Visitors can also enjoy stargazing in the national park on clear nights.
It's not just the highest point in Spain, it's an active volcano, a vibrant nature reserve, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot!
