Teide Volcano – Crater Climb (with and without permission, but legal)

Mount Teide in Tenerife is an active volcano and at the same time the highest peak in Spain, which rises to a height of 3,718 meters. It is a shield volcano that was formed about 170,000 years ago and is still considered active today. This volcano is considered one of the most important geological sites in the world and is also one of Tenerife’s greatest tourist attractions. At the top of the volcano there is a crater with a diameter of about 800 meters, which was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion about 250 years ago. From the top of Teide, there is a beautiful view of the countryside and the nearby islands. Teide is not only a tourist attraction, but also an important geological research site that provides scientists with a lot of information about the history of the Earth.

The most popular trail leading to the top of Teide is the one starting at the Montaña Blanca car park. The trail leads through the Refugio de Altavista shelter, which is currently closed. The car park is open to the public and you can leave your car there overnight.

Mount Teide in Tenerife is one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The most popular way to get to the Teide volcano is to take the Teleférico del Teide cable car from 2356 m above sea level. to an altitude of 3555 m above sea level where the upper station of the cable car is located (the ride takes about 10 minutes), from where a hiking trip to the very top awaits us. The second way is to go on foot. Climbing to the top is an amazing experience that is worth experiencing.

There are three ways to get to the top of Teide:

– Get permission: The easiest way to get permission to climb Mount Teide is to register on the Teide National Park website (https://www.reservasparquesnacionales.es/real/ParquesNac/index.aspx). After entering the necessary data and choosing the right date, you can get permission to climb to the top. Please note that the number of climbing permits is limited, so it is advisable to do so in advance. Only 200 people are allowed to climb to the top a day. The entrance permit is free, however, it can only be booked a few months in advance.
– Use the services of guides: Using the services of licensed guides is a good option for those who do not want or are unable to obtain a permit to climb Mount Teide. The guides have knowledge about the terrain and weather conditions, which significantly increases the safety of climbing. In addition, the guides are able to provide interesting information about the history and culture of Tenerife. This is a good way for people who want to experience the Teide summit but don’t want to worry about the logistics.
– If you have not been able to obtain a summit permit, there is an option to do a night hike to reach the summit before 9:00 AM. Only after 9 o’clock does a guard appear asking to show the tickets. You can use the trail that leads to the volcano, but make sure you start your hike around 1:30-3:00 AM to make it before sunrise. Before going on the trail, it is worth checking the weather forecast and the time of sunrise.
All of the above ways are legal. Remember that Teide is a unique place that requires respect and a responsible approach. Let’s take care of our environment and enjoy climbing.

We set off on the trail at 2:00 am. We were walking with our daughter (11 years old). The first section of the trail leads through a gravel, wide road with a length of 4.5 kilometers. The slope is gentle and after about an hour we reached the fork leading up Montaña Blanca. The next section of the trail was quite steep and uncomfortable with loose stones that made it difficult to take steady steps, and in some places the trail was poorly marked and for a moment we were not sure if we were following the right path. After almost 3 hours of walking, around 5:00 in the morning, we reached the Refugio de Altavista shelter, which is located at an altitude of 3260 m above sea level. Unfortunately, the shelter was closed, but it was possible to enter the covered porch and together with a few people we met on the trail, we took a break for food and warming up. At this height it was very windy and the temperature felt at night was about -5 degrees Celsius. We left the hut at 5:30. We had a little more than 2 kilometers to the top, along a rocky path. We had a few ‘crises’ on this stretch ? The penetrating cold did its job, even though we were prepared with warm jackets, hats and gloves. We reached the queue around 7 am. We got through the gate with no problem, there was no security guard checking the permits. It took about 25-30 minutes to reach the top, it was windy, so we took a break every now and then, hiding behind the rocks. In the meantime, we had the opportunity to see an amazing spectacle that nature has given us. The sunrise above the clouds compensated our effort, the view was beautiful. The most beautiful sunrise we’ve ever seen.

REMEMBER THAT …

– …. night temperatures in the area of ​​Teide National Park can drop even to negative temperatures and the higher it is, the more it blows, so be sure to take care of appropriate clothing. Don’t forget your headlamp as well. Take with you the right amount of water, a thermos with tea and food.
– …. the cable car may not work on a given day due to bad weather conditions and high winds! If you ascend Teide at night, you must be aware that you will also have to descend under your own power.
– …. some people experience altitude sickness because the human body is not adapted to high altitude and it is difficult to prepare for it. While hiking, it is important to watch your body and not attempt to reach the summit alone.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEIDE VOLCANO

– Teide is the highest peak in Spain and its height is 3,718 meters above sea level.
– The volcano was formed about 170,000 years ago and last erupted in 1909.
– Teide is one of the largest volcanoes on Earth by volume, with a volume of about 600 km³.
– In 2007, Teide was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
– The volcano is a popular tourist destination and is visited by around 3 million tourists a year.
– On the slopes of Teide, there are unique species of plants that have adapted to the extreme conditions prevailing at an altitude of over 2,000 meters.
– The volcano was considered a sacred place by the indigenous peoples of the Canary Islands, who called it Echeyde.
– Teide is part of the Teide National Park, which was established in 1954 and covers an area of ​​over 18,000 hectares.
– The volcano is an important source of information for geologists who study Earth history and geological processes.
– Teide has also been used to film many movies, including “Wrath of the Titans” and “Planet of the Apes”.