05 October 2010
Posted in Tenerife

Mount Teide National Park

Mount Teide or Pico del Teide as it is known in Spanish, is the highest mountain in Spain. It is the third largest volcano in the world from its base to tip and is only beaten in size by the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, which are both on the island of Hawaii in the Pacific.

The Teide National Park covers an area of just under 19,000 hectares and became a world heritage centre in the summer of 2007. It is Spain'smost visited national park with around 3.5 million visitors annually.

Mount Teide is also the most famous natural landmark in the Canary Islands. At 3718 metres (12,200ft) above sea-level and 7500 metres (24,606ft) from the ocean floor, this strato-volcano is the highest point in the Atlantic Ocean and the 13th highest peak in Europe. Mount Teide is currently a dormant volcano with the last eruption way back in 1909.

Access to the National Park is by public roads which have been widened and resurfaced in the last decade or so, making visiting the National Park much easier now than in the past. Due to the height of Mount Teide, oxygen levels are much lower than those at sea level. This can cause certain people to feel light headed and dizzy, and in rare extreme cases, even unconsciousness. Should this happen to you, then the only treatment is simply to return down to lower levels and re-acclimatize your body.

A cable car is also situated in the Teide National Park. Each car can carry 38 passengers and it takes 8 minuets to reach the top. Access to the summit is restricted to reduce environmental damage, but a permit can be obtained with a little difficulty from the National Park office in Santa Cruz. This will allow you to climb the last few hundred metres.

Where to go for a permit

To obtain a permit to climb the last few hundred metres to the peak of Mount Teide, you have to apply in person to the national park office in Santa Cruz. Surprisingly, there are no signs to tell you that you are in the right place once you get there. Enter the building and go up to the 4th floor where you will find a sign telling you that you have reached your destination. Take with you your passport and a photocopy of your passport as the office will keep this. Do not forget to take a photocopy with you as the national park office will not copy your passport for you. The Mount Teide permit is free and one person in the group will be the designated leader while the remaining members of the group will be written down on the permit. You will also have to give a specific date and time that you wish to travel to the summit. If you miss this slot then you will have to re-apply again in person back at the national park office to obtain another permit.

** NEWS: Now you can purchase online Teide Access Permits. Please note that you STILL need to take your passports with you to Teide.

On arrival at the summit you will be asked for your original passport, which they will check against their data. If correct you can continue to the very peak of Mount Teide. Please note that permits are restricted, so if you are on a short holiday break and you do wish to travel to the top of Spain’s highest mountain, then you should apply as soon as possible at the national park office to avoid disappointment.

Office hours are 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. weekdays only at:
ICONA, Parque National de Teide,
Calle Emillio Calzadilla 5 38002,
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tel – 922 290129 or 922 290183.

Travelling to the Teide National Park

There are many ways to get to the national park. Tour companies run many different excursions from all the major tourist resorts and even local bus company (TITSA) have a daily route from Playa de las Americas or Puerto de La Cruz in the North. But one of the best ways to see Mount Teide is by car. You probably got a car hire in Tenerife South airport, but there are many other places from which to rent a car.

Wherever in Tenerife you are staying, reaching the national park is easy. The roads are now well signposted and there are many different routes to choose in both directions to allow you to explore further. Touring the national park by hire car allows you to explore at your own leisurely pace.

The volcanic nature of Mount Teide makes for a geological playground full of fascinating routes and hiking trails. It is a vast and totally unspoilt wilderness that has unusual rock formations which have been left behind after lava flows, as well as acres of pine forests and fields of wild flowers. There are literally hundreds of different species of flowers, trees, birds, insects and other creatures that inhabit this wonderful area making it one of the finest biological regions on the planet. Along the way you will find there are many stop-off areas and photograph points with stunning views, so taking a camera is essential.

There are many bars and restaurants along the way, but some can be quite expensive and rather poor quality, especially on the direct tourist routes. One of the best ways to avoid this is to take a picnic and have a stroll on the many paths and walkways or just find your own little spot for a peaceful lunch. If you can’t take your own picnic, then try and find a local bar a little off the tourist trail, where prices and service will be much better than those directly on the holiday route.

Images of Mount Teide National Park

(click for full size)