Conquering Mount Teide: Tenerife's Volcanic Summit Adventure Guide

Let me be clear about one thing: climbing Mount Teide isn't something you decide on a whim while sipping sangria at your beachside resort. This adventure requires preparation, especially for those of us with a few more miles on our personal odometers.

First and foremost, you'll need a summit permit from the Teide National Park authorities. These free permits can be secured through their official website, but they're limited and often booked months in advance. I reserved mine three months before my trip, which I'd recommend to anyone planning this adventure. If permits are unavailable for your dates, consider booking a guided tour, which often includes permit access.

The classic route starts at Montaña Blanca (accessible by car or bus) and ascends to the Altavista Refuge where many hikers (myself included) spend the night before tackling the final summit push before dawn. This strategy not only breaks up the challenging hike but positions you perfectly for those magical sunrise photos that make the effort worthwhile.

Don't let Tenerife's reputation for sunshine and beaches fool you—Mount Teide demands respect and proper equipment. At 12,198 feet, the summit experiences temperatures that can drop below freezing, even when the beaches are sweltering.

I learned this lesson the hard way when my fingers nearly froze while trying to adjust my camera settings for sunrise photos. My heated gloves were absolute lifesavers, allowing me to operate my camera while keeping my fingers functional in the pre-dawn chill.

Layering is crucial, starting with moisture-wicking base layers and adding insulation as needed. My down jacket packed small but provided essential warmth at the summit, where winds can be fierce and temperatures shocking after the heat of lower elevations.

Footwear deserves special attention—the terrain is rough, uneven, and can be slippery with volcanic scree. My hiking boots provided the ankle support and traction needed for both the ascent and descent. After seeing a younger hiker struggle with inappropriate footwear, I was grateful for my comfortable, broken-in boots.

At 3,260 meters (10,700 feet), the Altavista Refuge offers basic but welcome shelter for hikers preparing for the final summit push. Don't expect luxury—this stone mountain hut provides bunk beds, communal dining space, and the chance to acclimate to the altitude before tackling the final ascent.

I arrived mid-afternoon after a challenging 4-hour hike from Montaña Blanca, giving myself time to rest and adjust to the thinner air. The refuge costs about €25 per night and must be booked in advance through their official website. Spaces are limited and fill quickly during peak season.

Dinner is self-catered, so I packed lightweight, energy-dense foods. My backpacking meals were perfect—just add hot water from the refuge's kitchen facilities. While enjoying my surprisingly tasty Beef Stroganoff, I bonded with fellow hikers from Germany, Spain, and Canada—a reminder that mountains create their own special communities.

Sleep came fitfully due to the altitude and anticipation, but my sleeping bag liner added both warmth and cleanliness to the provided blankets. The 5:00 AM wake-up call came early, but the promise of standing on the summit for sunrise provided all the motivation needed.

The final push to Teide's summit begins in darkness. Headlamps bobbing like fireflies, our small group set out at 5:30 AM, determined to reach the peak before the first light. The trail from the refuge to the summit is steep and challenging—only about 1.5 miles but climbing nearly 1,400 feet through switchbacks and volcanic terrain.

As a photographer, I was determined to capture both the journey and the destination. My hiking daypack kept my essential camera gear accessible while maintaining balance on the steep terrain. The side pockets perfectly accommodated my tripod legs while keeping water bottles within easy reach.

Arriving at the summit just as the eastern sky began to lighten, I quickly set up my equipment. The hand warmers I'd tucked into my jacket pockets and camera bag kept both my fingers and batteries functioning in the freezing pre-dawn air—an essential trick for high-altitude photography.

The summit experience is otherworldly. As sunlight gradually illuminated the caldera, the volcanic landscape revealed itself in shades of rust, ochre, and black. Steam vents around the crater rim offered visible evidence of the mountain's dormant—not extinct—status, adding drama to both the experience and my photographs. The smell of sulfur, the absolute silence, and the shadow of the mountain stretching across the island below created a sensory experience I'll never forget.

What goes up must come down, and the descent from Teide can be surprisingly challenging. Many hikers, myself included, find that different muscle groups are engaged when descending, leading to soreness in unexpected places. The loose volcanic scree requires careful footing and full attention.

I chose to take the cable car down from La Rambleta station (just below the summit) to save my knees the punishing descent. At €13.50 one-way, it's money well spent, especially for those of us with joints that remind us of our adventures for days afterward. Note that the first cable car ascends at 9:00 AM, so timing your summit experience to reach La Rambleta after this time is essential if you plan to ride down.

Post-hike recovery shouldn't be an afterthought. My compression socks were the first thing I put on after returning to my hotel. They provided blessed relief to tired calves and improved circulation after the demanding hike.

That evening, I treated myself to a recovery meal at a local restaurant in La Orotava, savoring traditional Canarian potatoes with mojo sauce while reflecting on the achievement. My camera roll was full, my heart was full, and yes, my muscles were certainly feeling the day's efforts—but in that deeply satisfying way that only comes from pushing your limits and discovering they extend further than you thought.