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Visiting Mount Teide: the complete guide to Tenerife’s volcano
Visiting Mount Teide: what you need to know before you go
Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain (3,718 metres) and the centrepiece of Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 18,990 hectares in the middle of Tenerife. It’s the most visited national park in Europe and one of the most visited volcanic sites in the world. Whether you take the cable car for a quick visit or hike to the summit at dawn, the volcanic landscape up here is unlike anything else in the Canary Islands.
This guide covers how to get there, the permit system (which changed significantly in late 2024 and early 2026), the cable car, the main hiking trails, what to bring, and the CanaryVIP tours that operate in and around the park.
How to get to Teide National Park
The park is in the centre of the island, accessible by road from both north and south Tenerife. From Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos, the drive takes about 1 hour via the TF-38 through Vilaflor (the highest village in Tenerife) or via Chio. From Puerto de la Cruz, it’s about 45 minutes via La Orotava and the TF-21.
Entry to the national park is free and open 24/7. You can drive in, park, and walk the lower trails without any permit. The permit requirements only apply to specific higher-altitude trails and the summit (see below).
TITSA bus line 342 runs from Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos to the cable car base station. It’s a scenic ride but takes about 90 minutes.
If you don’t want to drive, CanaryVIP offers a guided Teide bus tour (Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun, about 7 hours, hotel pickup, optional cable car ride) and a Teide Quad Safari (3 hours, starting from Chio/Guia de Isora, automatic quads, morning and sunset options).
The cable car
The Teide cable car runs from the base station at 2,356 metres to La Rambleta at 3,555 metres. The ride takes 8 minutes and holds up to 44 people per cabin. From La Rambleta, you can access three viewpoints: La Fortaleza (north coast views), Pico Viejo (800-metre crater, views to La Gomera), and the summit trail (permit required).
Prices (2026). Return ticket: €40 for non-resident adults, €20 for children (3 to 13). One-way tickets: €23.50 adults, €11.75 children. Canary Islands residents get significant discounts. Children under 3 are not allowed on the cable car.
Hours. Generally 9am to 5pm, with seasonal variations. Last ascent depends on the day. Sunset cable car experiences are also available on certain dates.
Time at the top. Without a summit permit, you get 1 hour at La Rambleta. With a summit permit, you get 2 hours. There are no restaurants at the top station, just vending machines, toilets, and wifi.
Important restrictions. Closed shoes with grip are mandatory (no sandals, no heels, no beach shoes). People with heart conditions, pregnant women, and children under 3 are not allowed. The cable car can close without notice due to high winds or weather.
No permit needed for the cable car itself. You only need a permit if you want to hike the summit trail (PNT 10) or descend on foot via certain trails.
The permit system (updated 2026)
This is the part that confuses most visitors, so here’s how it works as of early 2026:
What changed. In November 2024, after a rescue of 130 stranded hikers, Tenerife’s island government introduced new regulations. From January 2026, fees (“ecotasa”) also apply. The rules now cover several trails, not just the summit.
Trails that require a permit (booked via TenerifeON):
PNT 07: Montana Blanca to La Rambleta (the main hiking approach)
PNT 09: Teide to Pico Viejo
PNT 10: Telesforo Bravo (the summit trail, from La Rambleta to the peak at 3,718m)
PNT 23: Regatones Negros
PNT 28: Chafari
How to get a permit. All permits are booked through the official TenerifeON platform (website or app). New slots open every Monday at 7am Canary Islands time, for dates up to 28 days ahead. That means you can book a maximum of 4 weeks in advance. Slots fill fast in summer and around holidays.
Fees (2026). Non-residents pay a fee (check current rates on TenerifeON as pricing varies). Tenerife residents and children under 14 are exempt. Residents of other Canary Islands pay €6.
Daily limits. 300 hikers per day on the main trails, distributed across time slots. The summit trail (PNT 10) has 4 time slots of 2 hours each (9 to 11, 11 to 1, 1 to 3, 3 to 5), with 50 places per slot plus additional sunrise and sunset slots.
Equipment checks. Rangers check gear at trailheads. You must have proper hiking boots (not trainers), warm layers, water, and a headlamp if doing early morning or sunset slots. People without proper equipment can be turned away.
Trails without permits. Many trails in the national park (like Roques de Garcia, the Siete Canadas paths, and the lower altitude walks) remain free and open without any permit. These are still excellent and well worth doing.
Main hiking trails
Montana Blanca to the summit (PNT 07 + PNT 10). The classic full ascent. Starts at 2,348 metres, climbs 8.8 km to La Rambleta (3,555m), then the final 200 metres of elevation to the peak via the Telesforo Bravo trail. Total elevation gain: about 1,370 metres. This is a hard hike. You need good fitness, proper boots, layers, water, food, and a headlamp if starting early. The terrain is volcanic rock and loose gravel. Allow 5 to 6 hours up, 3 to 4 hours down. Permits required for both PNT 07 and PNT 10.
Roques de Garcia (no permit needed). A circular trail through the park’s most iconic rock formations, including the Cinchado Rock (the one on the old 1,000 peseta banknote). About 3.5 km, moderate difficulty, 1.5 to 2 hours. Starts from the Parador hotel car park. This is the best option for people who want to experience the Teide landscape without the difficulty or permit requirements of the summit trails. Stunning views of Teide, the caldera, and the Ucanca plain.
Pico Viejo viewpoint (from La Rambleta). If you take the cable car up, you can walk to the Pico Viejo viewpoint without a summit permit (though you do need a permit if descending via PNT 09). The viewpoint looks into an 800-metre-wide crater with vivid colours. Views across to La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma on clear days.
La Fortaleza viewpoint (from La Rambleta). Another short walk from the cable car upper station, looking north over the Orotava Valley and the north coast. No summit permit needed.
What to bring
Proper hiking boots. Not negotiable. Rangers check footwear at trailheads and the cable car. Trainers, sandals, and beach shoes are not allowed on the upper trails or the cable car.
Warm layers. Temperatures at 3,000+ metres can be 15 to 20°C colder than at the coast. Even in summer, it can be 5°C or below at the summit after sunset. Wind chill makes it feel colder. Bring a proper jacket, thermal layer, hat, and gloves in winter.
Sun protection. The UV at altitude is intense. Sunscreen (factor 50), sunglasses, and a hat are essential. You can get sunburnt in 20 minutes up here.
Water and food. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water for the cable car visit, more for hiking. There’s a cafe at the cable car base station but nothing at the top. Dehydration at altitude happens faster than you expect.
Headlamp. Required for sunrise and sunset time slots. Also useful if your hike takes longer than planned.
ID/passport. Rangers check your identity against your permit at trail access points.
Stargazing at Teide
Teide National Park is a certified Starlight Tourist Destination and home to the Teide Observatory (operated by the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias since 1964). The altitude, dry air, and low light pollution make it one of the best places in the world to see stars.
CanaryVIP offers the Teide by Night stargazing tour (Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun, about 6 hours, hotel pickup, sunset, dinner at a local restaurant, professional telescopes, Starlight-certified guides, laser pointer constellation tour). Full details in our stargazing guide.
CanaryVIP tours at Teide
Teide guided bus tour (Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun, ~7 hours, optional cable car, hotel pickup, multilingual guides)
Teide Quad Safari (3 hours, automatic quads, from Chio/Guia de Isora, morning and sunset options, from €98, hotel pickup from south)
Teide by Night stargazing (Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun, ~6 hours, dinner included, telescopes, Starlight-certified guides)
All bookings include Best Price Guarantee and most include hotel pickup.
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