This is Tenerife’s Teide volcano: read tips for travelers

Hike along the park and climb the volcano

Belonging to the Canary Islands Tenerife has also been a favorite destination for Finnish tourists for decades, and the island, known as a traditional beach resort, surprises with its versatility. Tenerife is also a great active travel destination.

A size located in the middle of the island of Spain the highest mountain, Teide, rising to a height of 3,718 meters, is an impressive sight. It is the third largest volcano in the world, having last erupted in 1909.

Although the last volcanic eruption occurred in the area more than a hundred years ago, the mountain is still closely monitored for eruptions. Teide is still classified as an active volcano.

Those visiting high altitudes should be prepared for the symptoms of mountain sickness, as nausea and headaches, for example, can strike quickly. At an altitude of almost four kilometers, you shouldn’t expect to be able to perform the same sports as at sea level.

Tulivuori is already a popular destination in itself. Of course, you can climb there, but most travelers choose the cable car instead of the difficult ascent, which allows you to get to the top comfortably without breaking a sweat. The surroundings of the volcano are also worth seeing.

Teide is surrounded by a large national park with plenty of vegetation and numerous different animal species. Visiting the national park has been made really easy, as there are plenty of hiking trails for different types of hikers. Along the routes, there are also signposts to facilitate progress.

Several tours are organized for you, and the selection includes, among other things, guided hiking tours, scenic sunrise tours, and stargazing with a telescope with the help of experts.

Read the tips for Teide and spend an unforgettable holiday in Tenerife!

1. Consider the weather conditions when planning the date

When heading to Teide, you should dress warmly, as the climate changes quickly when moving from the beaches to the mountains. In the winter months, it can even snow in the mountains, so the weather conditions in the area differ from the island’s beach destinations. So remember to pack warm clothes for your visit to Teiden, even if you wear a swimsuit at beach destinations.

You can visit Teide all year round, but the best time is spring and early summer, when the temperatures are pleasant and nature is at its best.

The coldest temperatures are in December and January, when the temperature at the top can drop to freezing and it can also snow in the area. Regardless of the season, it’s good for you to always bring warm clothes. It is also important to remember to protect yourself from the sun, especially in the summer months.

2. Carry out the visit with your own car or use public transport

The most convenient way to visit is by renting a car or participating in organized tours. The ease of the car lies in the freedom of schedules, which allows you to spend as much time as you want by the scenery of Teide, and along the route you can stop at your leisure to look at the amazing views at your own pace.

Roads lead to Teide National Park from both the northern and southern parts of the island. The drive from the city of Los Christianos, for example, takes less than 1.5 hours.

Teide National Park has four roads, so you can easily get there from anywhere on the island.

You can also visit Teide on your own using the island’s public transport. You can get there from Puerto de la Cruz with bus number 348, while from Costa Adeje on the south coast, you can take bus line 342 to Teide. You can check the bus schedules From the website of Tenerife’s local bus company Titsa.

3. Get to know the landscapes of the national park on hiking trips

The Teide volcano and the 48-kilometer-diameter Las Cañadas caldera located in connection with it form the area of ​​the Teide National Park. The area received the status of a national park in 1954, in addition to which Teide is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition to the volcanic landscape, Teide is also worth spending time looking at the very special Rogues del Garcia rock formations. The rock formations are surrounded by a hiking trail that can be walked in a couple of hours.

Teide is one of the best hiking destinations in Tenerife, and the volcano and the surrounding national park are great destinations for active vacationers as well. There are routes of different lengths in the area, from a couple of hour walks to longer hikes.

Hiking in Teide National Park is allowed on your own and there is no entrance fee. However, guided walks and hikes are also organized in the national park.

Those looking for a challenge can also conquer the top of Teide on foot, and climbing Teide to admire the sunrise is especially popular.

However, walking up requires moderate fitness due to the difficulty level of the route. It takes to get to the top permit issued by the national parkwhich is free of charge, but you should apply well in advance to ensure that you get it on the day you want.

4. Take to the skies in a carriage

You can admire the scenery from Spain’s highest peak even without challenging sports performance, because A cable car goes to the top of the roads. You can’t get to the top by elevator, but the cable car starts at 2,356 meters and takes visitors to a height of about 3,555 meters in less than 10 minutes.

From the top station of the cable car, it is another 200 meters to the top, which can be covered on foot in good weather. A peak visit permit is also required for this trip.

On a clear day, you can see La Gomera or Gran Canaria from the top.

The cable car is open daily from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon. During the summer months, the track is open a little later. A return ticket to the top costs a little less than 40 euros for an adult, and the price for children is half as affordable.

Tickets for the Teide cable car should be purchased online in advance, so you can avoid long queues on site. The best time to visit is early in the morning, when you can park your car easily.

5. A night with amazing scenery

If you want to enjoy the scenery of Teide for a longer day trip, it is also possible to stay overnight in the area, but you should make reservations in time, because the accommodation capacity is really limited.

The Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide hotel is located in a wonderful location in the heart of the national park, which offers stunning views of the nearby volcano. The hotel has, for example, an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace where you can enjoy the view. A night in a hotel costs about 140 euros per night at its cheapest.

Another possible place to stay in Teide National Park is the Refugio Altavista, located at an altitude of just over 3,000 meters, with three bedrooms for about 50 travelers. It is only possible to stay at the place for one night and the reservation must be made in advance.

Staying at Refugio Altavista is a great option, especially for those who want to be at the top in time for sunrise. Refugio Altavista is closed for the time being.

Text: Krista Ahonen and Inka Khanji
Images: ShutterstockKrista Ahonen, Inka Khanji and Tenerife tourism

>> Read more tips for Tenerife from Rantapallo’s travel guide!