Ascent to Pico Del Teide
The journey began under a sky full of stars at the ungodly hour of 2 a.m , with the cool, mild air of the night clinging to entrance to Montana Blanca. At around 10°C, it felt like perfect hiking weather as we set off, the early hours filled with anticipation and lit with the headlamps of excited hikers. Little did we know, this mild chill was just the calm before the temperature rollercoaster.
For the first 4K, the path was well laid out. Easy to follow and barely a hint of the vertical challenge ahead. But don’t let that fool you. This hike had only just begun to reveal its true colours. The stars above sparkled like diamonds, providing the perfect backdrop for the ascent.
Passing the Altavista refuge, the hike shifted gears. This is where Teide began to remind us why it commands such respect. The elevation gain ramped up, and the path turned more rugged with newer volcanic rocks. Stable, sure, but loose enough to keep you on your toes. And as you climb, something else becomes clear: the altitude. It affects you like an invisible force, making each breath feel just a little harder earned. Regular breaks became the order of the day, not because you’re out of shape, but because the mountain demands it.
Then came the final stretch. The last push from the cable car. This is where legs turned to jelly and the summit seemed to grow further with each step. The sulfur stench greeted us as we neared the peak. But nothing could prepare us for what waited above.
And then, it happened. The moment we’d all pushed for. The first sliver of sunlight pierced the horizon, bathing the world in an otherworldly orange glow. As the sun ascended, so did the panorama, revealing Tenerife below and the neighboring Gran Canaria islands. The air was calm, the skies impossibly clear. Even the shadow of Mount Teide stretched out dramatically across the landscape, a giant reminder of the climb that brought us there.
At the summit, it wasn’t just the views that made it all worth it—there was a sense of triumph. We celebrated in true hiker fashion: a sandwich at 3,718 meters, and, of course, some victorious summit photos. Because sometimes, you need to capture a moment this epic to remind yourself it wasn’t all a dream.
This hike may have started as a simple trek under the stars, but by the end, it was a well earned victory to the tallest peak in Spain. If you ever find yourself in Tenerife, don’t think twice, this is a hike that has to be experienced.
Info:
No one was there to check permits. There was a big group at the summit, no need to worry before ~9am.
Also the mountain peak was mucho frijo.You can check the weather on the teide page. Pack blankets+extra layers for the peak.
★
★
★
★
★
Trekking alternativo visto che il Teide era impraticabile per troppo vento. Molto caldo e molto ripido ma panorami fantastici
★
★
★
★
★
*El trayecto final desde donde dejé de grabar hasta la caldera son 3,6 kms más*
Recorrido intenso sobretodo al comienzo. Algo de nieve y hielo en algunos tramos lo que lo dificulta aún más.
★
★
★
