Tenerife a Journey To The Top Of Mount Teide

The journey up Mount Teide is the perfect activity for those who wish to explore another side of Tenerife. The drive up the mountainside is an adventure in itself and every mile which is covered takes you further above the clouds.

Flights from airlines such as Monarch will take you into Tenerife South , hire a car and drive as far as you’re able to towards the mountain, then you can jump aboard a cable car which will take you the rest of the way. Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain and claims to be one of the world’s tallest volcanoes.

It takes under ten minutes to reach the top by cable car. However, if you’re feeling brave you may wish to attempt the five hours by foot. Once at the very top, the air is thinner and the temperature drops. Holidays here are not for the faint-hearted and it’s wise to pack a few extra layers. During certain seasons, the mountain will glitter with snow. However, the temperatures can reach 40 Celsius in the summer.

Mount Teide,via Spain info.

Mixing with the locals

More often than not, visitors will encounter a few of the local residents – blue chaffinches and Barbary partridges. These are amongst the only species to be seen in the national park. You are also likely to encounter a lot of rocks, in all shapes and sizes and jutting out from almost every surface. One of the most spectacular sights is the Los Huevos del Teide – a field full of gigantic black balls made up of obsidian lava. Ochre and red outline the walls of the crater, resembling a lunar landscape.

The mountain refuge of Altavista sits 3,270 metres above the ground, a welcome rest to budding climbers. In peak seasons, it’s advisable to book in advance. Rising early to continue the rest of your journey is highly recommended and will allow you to experience a mountaintop sunset. On a clear day, you’ll be able to view the Canary Islands, LaGomera, El Hierro and La Palma.

Visitors wishing to view the mouth of the volcano must acquire a pass from the National Park’s Office, which lies in Orotava. You can find out more about passes on the park’s official website.

Regardless of where you choose to stay in Tenerife, Mount Teide is certainly worth a visit. Unlike the sunny south coast of Spain, the journey up this famous mountaintop is more like an alpine escape as opposed to a Spanish getaway.


This is a sponsored post but most definitely a spot that's on my must-visit list.

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