The highest point in Spain is not on the Iberian Peninsula, but the Canary Islands. At the center of Tenerife raising 12,198 feet into the sky, Mount Teide dominates the panorama from just about anywhere on the island.
Not only a national record, but this volcano is renowned as the third highest in the world, from its base in the ocean rising up 24,606 feet. Petrified rivers of lava, strands of pine forest, and some of the strangest rock formations make up Teide National Park, along with its infamous summit. The ancient Guanches thought the mountain sacred and believed that Teide was the gate to Hell, its last eruption was in 1798. To naturalists, the place is heaven with its varied terrain and unique flora. The Teide bugloss is an endemic to the island and in spring its lava red blossom grows nearly ten feet tall.
Whether you’re looking to hike and rock climb or take in views and learn about the geology of the land, there is something for everyone in this park.
Traveler’s tips:
+The national park is free to enter and enjoy, but the cable car to the summit is a paid attraction.
+Traversing the fantastic paved road system showcases the amazing landscape, even if you don’t step out of your vehicle.
+A restaurant and hotel are available within the park for your convenience.
+Mornings can be especially chilly at this altitude, and snow is even a possibility. Bring layers.
+There are two visitor centers, be sure to make one of them your first stop to use the restroom and obtain a map. El Portillo Visitor Center is open from 9-4, its displays are extremely well done which include walking through a red glowing cave with many interactive and informative components.
How to get to the summit:
+If reaching the highest point in the park is what you desire, there is some red tape involved. First, you must obtain a free permit, with limited quotas, to access the summit. Even looking months in advance, I was shut out of the pool!
+Secondly, you must decide if you would like to hike up or take the cable car. Both require walking to get to the top. If you want to hike to the summit with your permit, you can park at the base of the mountain at 7,729 feet, and climb to the top at 11,663 feet – a formidable challenge. On the other hand, if you take the cable car your approach to the summit will be just over 500 feet, still quite a bit of a climb. Booking your cable car ticket in advance is also advised.
Where to hike in the park:
There are many marvelous places to discover without a permit in the park where you can admire Teide and its Mars like scenery.
+Minas de San Jose is a peculiar viewpoint to stop and stretch your legs after a long drive.
The area is comprised of green pumice stone and the bizarre sight stops most people who feel the urge to take a closer look.
From the designated parking area there are sanctioned trails and a place right beside the road to do some preliminary exploration.
Here, prototypes of space vehicles and tools have been tested to see how they would fare on the moon.
+Mount Guajara is known as the Guanche Princess, a legendary tale and climb. To begin the hike, park at the GoogleMaps GPS location Parador de Cañadas del Teide, here there is a restaurant and a ranger station. Initially, the trailhead does not mention this particular climb, though it is the visible plateau looming behind it.
The ranger assured me a loop is possible, though there is not significant information online. She did not know the exact mileage of said loop, which I would approximate to 5 miles gaining 2,000 feet of elevation. The trails are marked via numbered senderos, following the route: 4-31-15-(summit spur)-5-4 to complete the loop. The initial walk on sendero 4 is flat, rocky, and quick.
The scenery does not disappoint, and is a lovely precursor to the rest of the hike.
Find the junction pointing towards S-31 to begin your ascent, which climbs quickly and relentlessly.
Most of the time on this path is a grunt, only stopping to look behind you and take in the views while catching your breath.
They simultaneously take your breath away, as the sound of the business down below dissipates.
Up reaching S-15, there is still more to climb, but the summit is beginning to near.
When you reach a T junction, take the spur and head to the summit, the third tallest spot in the park.
Standing at 8,907 feet the views are utterly sublime, although unsettlingly windy. Take shelter inside the remains of the astronomers hut, used by Jean Mascart to study Halley’s Comet in 1910 if you’re looking to picnic. The climb is over, but the journey is only half way through. Continuing the loop down the mountain is much more enjoyable with jaw dropping valley views.
An ever-changing backdrop keeps a smile on your face, while the cool wind wicks away your sweat.
Along the descent a map appears, the first one that actually made sense to this hike, though it distinctly mentions that you cannot loop – be confident that you can (as a park ranger explicitly assured me).
Soon the next turn appears onto S-5, with its sweeping views and slippery volcanic gravel.
Keeping your eyes on the ground so you don’t fall is important, while constantly yearning to look at the precious monument Teide.
In the quiet of this trail, a hawk landed before me in the distance – some of the only company I would find early in the morning.
When you arrive at S-4 the trail finally flattens out, head in the direction leading towards Parador, where the hike began.
This is the ancient Camino de Chasna, used for over a thousand years for grazing herds and transporting wood, ice, and other goods.
Its rock crops are stunning and one of a kind, attracting many climbers with their gear to take the short walk over from the hotel.
Looking back to them, there is a perfect frame of the formations and the mountain you just summited.
In the spring time the towering red Tenerife bugloss bloom alongside the trail, during a winter visit there was nothing but a dry skeleton to look at.
+Roques Garcia is one of the most popular routes in the park, leading to seemingly extraterrestrial formations in a two mile loop, of moderate effort gaining 575 feet.
+Sámara Volcano Cone is accessed off of TF-38, where you can witness a whole different side of Teide.
Sendero N13 is a three mile loop gaining 826 feet of elevation, it is less trodden and the trail more faint, but there are always landmarks in sight to keep from becoming disoriented.
Here the rare Canarian pine forest dominates the scene splashing color into the black terrain. The climb up the mountain is on volcanic gravel, slippery and challenging, but the pastel mosaic at the summit is well worth the effort.
Two small lava formations sit at the top, which from a distance looked like trolls huddling together against the wind.