Mount Teide Guide: Cable Car, Summit Permits, Trails and What to Expect
Updated 29 October 2026 · DoTenerife
Mount Teide is Spain’s highest mountain at 3,715 m, and you can reach 3,555 m by cable car for around €43 return (non-resident adult). The last 160 m or so to the crater need a separate summit permit, booked online up to 28 days in advance. Entry to Teide National Park itself is free, and the drive through its lava fields is one of the best things to do in Tenerife.
Getting to Teide National Park
The park sits in the centre of the island. From the southern resorts the drive is roughly an hour via Vilaflor (TF-21); from Puerto de la Cruz it is a similar time via La Orotava. The roads are good but winding, and parking at the cable car base fills early.
- By car: the most flexible option, especially for sunset.
- By excursion: coach tours run daily from the south, often combined with Masca or the north.
- By bus: TITSA operates a limited service into the park, typically one departure each way per day from the south and from Puerto de la Cruz. Check current timetables on the TITSA site.
The Teide cable car
The cable car (Teleférico del Teide) climbs from the base station at 2,356 m to La Rambleta at 3,555 m in about eight minutes.
| Ticket (return, non-resident) | Approx. price |
|---|---|
| Adult (14+) | €43 |
| Child (3–13) | €21.50 |
| One-way adult | €24 |
Prices from the operator’s published 2026 rates; they change, so confirm before booking. Online booking with a timed slot is strongly recommended in high season.
Opening hours vary through the year, generally starting at 9am and closing between 5pm and 6:40pm, with the last ascent one hour before closing. Strong wind or ice can close the cable car at short notice, often on the day itself.
From the top station there are two short viewpoint paths that don’t need a permit: one to the Mirador de La Fortaleza and one to the Mirador de Pico Viejo. Both are easy walks at altitude with views over the crater of Pico Viejo and, on clear days, to La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro and Gran Canaria.
The Teide summit permit
The path to the actual summit (Telesforo Bravo trail, PNT 10) is only about 650 m long but climbs steeply over loose rock. Access is capped and controlled:
- Book online through the official Tenerife ON / national park booking page. A new week of slots opens every Monday at 7am Canary time, 28 days ahead.
- Fees: following the October 2026 update to the access rules, non-Canarian visitors pay a fee reported at around €15; Tenerife residents are free and children under 14 are exempt. Check the booking page for the current amount.
- Bring ID matching the booking. Rangers check permits at the start of the path.
- Time your cable car to arrive at the top well before your summit slot.
If you can’t get a permit, two alternatives exist: book a guided excursion that includes the permit, or stay overnight at the Altavista mountain refuge and walk up for sunrise, which has historically allowed early summit access without the standard permit. Confirm the current refuge rules before relying on this.
New Teide trail rules (October 2026)
The Cabildo de Tenerife tightened access to several high-mountain trails in 2026:
- PNT 09 (Teide–Pico Viejo), PNT 23 (Los Regatones Negros) and PNT 28 (Chafarí) now need a free reservation, with daily caps.
- PNT 07 (Montaña Blanca–La Rambleta): visitors from outside the Canary Islands pay a fee during set hours, reported at €6 on weekdays and €10 at weekends and on public holidays.
- Fines of up to €600 apply for walking regulated trails without a permit.
- Kit checks: rangers can refuse entry if you lack boots, long trousers, warm clothing, water, a charged phone and a head torch.
A cable car ticket does not cover any trail permit.
Altitude, weather and safety
- Altitude: at 3,555 m there is noticeably less oxygen. Walk slowly, drink water and go back down if you feel dizzy or nauseous.
- Who shouldn’t go up: the operator advises against the trip for pregnant women, children under 3 and people with heart or respiratory problems.
- Cold and sun: temperatures at the top can be 15–20°C lower than the coast. UV is intense even when it feels cool.
- Snow: possible from roughly December to March, sometimes closing roads.
Things to see in the park
- Roques de García – the famous rock formations by the Parador, with an easy 3.5 km circular walk.
- Minas de San José – pale pumice fields that look lunar.
- Llano de Ucanca – a vast flat plain with the best view of Teide’s south face.
- Stargazing – Teide’s skies are protected for astronomy, and evening tours with telescopes run from the south coast.
Planning tips
- Arrive early (before 9:30am) or late afternoon to avoid the coach crowds.
- Check the cable car status on the morning you go, as wind closures are common.
- Combine Teide with Masca or La Orotava for a full day. See day trips from Tenerife and Masca village and gorge.
- Travelling with children? Our Tenerife with kids guide covers which parts suit younger ones.
- Back on the coast, see what’s on tonight for evening shows.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to climb Mount Teide?
Yes, for the final summit path (Telesforo Bravo trail) from the top cable car station to the crater. It is booked online through the official Tenerife ON / national park system, opens 28 days ahead and sells out quickly in busy periods.
How much is the Teide cable car?
A return ticket for non-residents is currently around €43 for adults and €21.50 for children aged 3 to 13. Prices are set by the operator and can change, so check the official site before booking.
Can you go up Teide without the cable car?
Yes. The Montaña Blanca route climbs on foot from the road to La Rambleta at the top cable car station, but it is a long, steep high-altitude hike, and non-Canarian residents now pay an access fee for parts of it.
Is it cold at the top of Teide?
Often. At 3,555 m it can be close to or below freezing, especially in winter and early morning, and snow is possible from roughly December to March. Bring a warm layer, hat and proper shoes.
Is Mount Teide safe with altitude sickness?
Most healthy visitors are fine for a short stay, but the altitude can cause headaches and breathlessness. The operator advises against the trip for pregnant women, young children under 3 and people with heart or respiratory conditions.
Can you get to Teide by bus?
TITSA runs a limited daily service into the national park from the south coast and Puerto de la Cruz, typically one bus each way. It works for a day trip but leaves little flexibility, so many visitors drive or join an excursion.