Mount Teide Sunrise Hike: Complete Guide to Hiking Tenerife's Volcano (2025)
There are some experiences in life that are worth losing sleep over. Hiking Mount Teide for sunrise is definitely one of them! After spending a few months exploring Tenerife with Teriyaki (my pup, who sadly had to sit this adventure out), I decided it was time to tackle this epic volcano peak. Here's my complete guide to hiking Mount Teide for sunrise, the way you should too - the good, the challenging, and the absolutely breathtaking!
Sunrise at the top of Mount Teide, Tenerife’s Volcano and Spain’s highest peak.
Arrival at the parking and the beginning of the hike.
If there's one piece of advice I can't stress enough, it's this: arrive early for parking! I pulled up at midnight, a full three hours before my planned 3 AM start. The main parking lot is tiny, and the alternatives aren't ideal - either park 1 km away near Mirador Tabona Negro or at the cable car station, 3 km from starting point.
I parked at one of the 10 parking spots (a few were already taken), set my alarm for 2:30 AM, and tried to get some sleep. By the time I woke up, the parking lot was full. With some, even trying to block other cars, just to get that parking spot (madness, I tell you).
I started my hike at 3 AM exactly. The hikes started right next to the parking. The beginning couldn't have been easier. It is a nice, wide gravel road with clear markings. But what made this first part of the trail magical wasn't the path itself, but what was above it. The night sky over Teide National Park is incredible. If you're into astrophotography, bring your camera gear, as you will experience breathtaking views, I promise. Well, as long as you go on a clear night :)
The volcanic rock formations along this path looked very interesting in the darkness, creating silhouettes that seemed to change shape as I passed. They made perfect foreground elements for night photos. This relatively flat section continued for about 4.5 km before the real climbing began.
Real hike begins
When the wide gravel road narrowed into a small path, this is where the real hike started. The incline picked up, but nothing too brutal for someone with intermediate hiking experience like me. The goal was to try and maintain a steady pace and not to compete (which is hard, I know). With that comfortable pace, I did not need any breaks until the very peak.
The terrain was tricky, loose rocks were mixed with gravel for the first hour or so. I had to watch every step to avoid losing a few teeth. This is where a headlight came in handy. Your phone camera is not that strong to help see all the rocks, trust me. Eventually, the path transformed into a mix of lava rocks and some flat sections, making the hiking a bit more straightforward.
A starry sky in the Teide National Park
Alta Vista Shelter
Around 3,250 meters high, I reached the Alta Vista shelter. It is now closed, and currently there is no plan for it to be reopened, but the small sitting area outside provided a perfect spot to catch my breath before the final push to the summit. There were some other hikers with me, taking a break. I took a few minutes to have some water and a snack and went back on the trail.
The Final Push To The Top
From the shelter, the path gets much more defined - stone steps lead up to where the cable car station sits. This section is well-marked and easier to navigate, even in the dark. From the cable car point, it was just another 200 meters to reach the peak. Like earlier, the path was very visible, but it was noticeably steeper. Those last 200 meters were the most challenging part of the hike.
Battling Altitude Sickness
Despite Teide not being extremely high compared to mountains in other parts of the world, the altitude hit me hard near the top. I experienced head rushes, nausea, and found myself struggling to breathe properly. Each step felt like a monumental effort, and my pace slowed to a crawl.
For anyone planning this hike, here are some tips to minimize altitude sickness:
Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water before and during your hike
Take it slow and steady - this isn't a race
Consider taking some light snacks with easily digestible carbs
Try breathing exercises - deep, controlled breaths can help manage symptoms
Pack some painkillers in case you develop a headache
You can also buy mini oxygen bottles, which look like a hairspray bottle with a breathing mask attached to it
Listen to your body - if symptoms become severe, descending is the best cure
If you have time, consider hiking partway up the day before to help your body adjust, acclimate by spending a day or two at mid-level elevations before attempting the summit
Dressing for Success
Don't let Tenerife's warm coastal temperatures fool you! While it was a comfortable 22°C at sea level, it was freezing at the summit, especially when reaching the top and stopping moving. I was grateful for my winter gear, a woven hat, sweater, and winter coat, which were honestly necessary. But wear layers, on your way back (if you choose to) it will get HOT with the sun. Not much sun shelter down the way.
Good hiking boots with proper grip are non-negotiable for this terrain. The combination of loose rocks, gravel, and sometimes slippery surfaces demands footwear that can handle it all. If you have, take some high hiking boots to protect your ankles.
Teide Hiking Permits
Here's a little insider tip about permits: when hiking for sunrise, you technically don't need one since the official permit hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM. There are usually no park rangers at the mountain top gate during early morning hours.
However, if you plan to descend past 9 AM, you might be checked for a permit. It's your call whether to get one in advance or risk it. You can book your permit here.
Sunrise At The Top
After all the effort, finding a good spot at the top became my priority. The viewing area isn't huge, so keep that in mind and get yourself a nice spot, facing east of course.
When the show began, all the exhaustion and cold (not so much for altitude sickness) faded away. The sky transformed from soft pink to then bright orange, until finally the sun peeked above a blanket of clouds. The light hitting the volcanic landscape created a scene that no photo could truly capture.
Standing above the clouds, watching the world wake up from Spain's highest point - it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that made every challenging step worth it.
Sunrise at the top of Mount Teide
The Return Journey
I descended the same way I came up. The full hike, including breaks at the summit and shelter, took me about 8 hours round trip. If you're not keen on hiking down, the cable car is an option - the first one runs around 9 AM, but check the schedule and buy tickets. You can do it in advance from this page.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely! Despite the cold, altitude challenges, and lack of sleep, witnessing sunrise from Mount Teide was one of the best, no, definitely THE BEST thing to do on Tenerife. If you're visiting Tenerife and have some hiking experience, put this adventure on your must-do list. Just remember to prepare properly, start early, and take your time to enjoy!
Have you hiked Mount Teide or are you planning to? Drop your questions or experiences in the comments below! And don't forget to follow more of my European adventures with Teriyaki here or on Instagram @sipandcamp. See you on the trail!
