Excursion to the Teide National Park
When I started my internship abroad on Tenerife, I made a checklist what to see and to do here on the island. First and foremost, I wanted to explore the beaches of Tenerife and enjoy the sight of the palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. However, one particular highlight was set to enrich my stay on Tenerife even further… My visit to the Teide National Park with its fascinating lava fields which look a bit like the surface of the planet Mars.
Photo by @krastevdeyan
Longing for a hike through the landscapes of Tenerife and hoping to catch a glimpse of the twinkling stars, I started my internship abroad on Tenerife. The sight of a clear night sky has always captivated me, and every time the opportunity arises, I am filled with joy. Naturally, it was also my goal to explore the island and its unique wonders during my internship abroad on Tenerife. Consequently, I was determined to discover every corner of this beautiful island and uncover all that it has to offer.
The main attraction of the Teide National Park is undoubtedly the impressive and still active volcano, Mount Teide, which last erupted in 1909. With a height of 3,700 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Spain. Even before starting my internship abroad on Tenerife, I had heard of the fascinating landscapes of the island and the extraordinary opportunities to observe the night sky. As a result, I was filled with excitement to do my internship on Tenerife!
When I came online across pictures of the night sky over the Teide, I was left speechless. Mount Teide had long been at the top of my personal bucket list for my internship abroad on Tenerife, along with many other exciting places I wanted to visit on the island. If you want to get a glimpse of what Tenerife and the other Canary Islands have to offer, I invite you to visit our Instagram account. There, we regularly share exciting posts about the experiences and activities of our interns during their internships abroad: @spanish_work_exchange_programm.
At that point, I didn’t have a concrete plan on how to turn my dreams into reality. I wanted to approach the journey just as spontaneously as many other things during my internship abroad on Tenerife. However, one thing was clear to me from the beginning: I was never a big fan of pre-planned tourist tours. Therefore, I decided to organize the entire trip myself.
Fortunately, I had the pleasure of having a friend visiting me during my internship abroad on Tenerife, and together, we planned an unforgettable excursion. In this blog post, I am excited to share my personal impressions and experiences with all of you. I will not only talke about the majestic Teide and the captivating stars, but I will also provide valuable tips for your own journey. If you’re not particularly interested in astronomy, but still wish to visit Teide, be sure to read the section “Ways to do it”. There, you will find advice on how to reach Teide.
Why go to Teide to see stars?
There are approximately 200 billion stars in our galaxy and 200 billion galaxies in the universe. These numbers are so immense that they are almost incomprehensible. However, there is one number that is somewhat more tangible: 88. That is the exact number of officially recognized constellations. And you know what? From Teide, 83 of these constellations are visible! Isn’t that absolutely incredible? Just imagine the view! The majestic Saharan desert on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other side of the island, make Tenerife the perfect place to gaze into the night sky. You don’t even have to be a big fan of stars to appreciate the breath-taking and unique sight that awaits you here.
Our expectations were more than fulfilled during our little adventure. During our hike through the night, we cherished every moment. Each time we paused, sat down, and enjoyed a snack, we were left speechless. It felt as if we were sitting right next to the stars in the night sky, walking through them. We will never forget the view nature presented us.
It is is impossible to put in words how beautiful and unique this experience was. Therfore, I highly recommend everyone visiting Tenerife, to seize the opportunity and explore Teide at night. There is nearly no light pollution that would disturb the view or hide the stars. The high elevation, clear sky, and clean air make this experience truly exceptional. Alongside Hawaii and Chile, Tenerife ranks among the world’s best locations for stargazing.
Ways to do it
There are various ways to explore Teide and enjoy the national park and its astronomical phenomena. However, my friend and I decided for the easiest way and rented a car to reach Montaña Blanca, at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. To get there, we drove through a village called “Vilaflor” and parked at a visitor’s parking lot, near a hiking trail. The trail led us straight up. The path was winding and had some inclines and declines. Our hike began late at night as we wanted to witness the sunrise at the summit. It took us approximately 4-5 hours to reach the summit from the starting point (depending on fitness and experience, some may reach the summit in 3 hours). Since we were there in April, it was extremely cold at night! On the way to the summit, temperatures dropped to 0 degrees Celsius! If you are planning to hike through the night, it is essential to prepare for the cold. Make sure to bring warm clothing and enough water with you. It is super important to stay hydrated during the hike, sice this can help prevent headaches due to the altitude changes.
Photo by @krastevdeyan
How to go to the very top of the Teide?
A little side note: A permit is required for the final 300 m to the summit. You can apply for your permit through the following link: reservasparquesnacionales.es
I can definitely recommend going all the way to the very top! The final meters may be challenging, but they are absolutely worth it. Despite the cold, the wind, and the slight smell of sulfur in the air, it is an experience like no other. Once you stand on the summit of Teide and look down upon the clouds, with nothing above you except the sky, you will surely agree with me.
We started our hike at 2 am. Our goal was to reach the summit early enough, to watch the sunrise above the clouds. During our trip, the sunrise was at 7:30 am, but this can vary depending on the season and should be checked beforehand. We planned enough time to hike slowely and take plenty of breaks to rest and eat. Thankfully, we were equipped with headlamps, so there was no danger of tripping or falling.
A night on the Teide
For those who don’t want to hike throughout the entire night (which is completely understandable), but still want to experience the stars and the sunrise (or even the sunset, which I heard is also breathtaking), there is the option of spending the night at around 3200 meters above sea level. Above the clouds, there is a charming little cabin where you can book a night in a warm, comfortable bed. An important note: It is advisable to book in advance! The route to the summit of Teide is extremely popular, and the accommodations near the summit are equally desired. Here is the link to check for available dates and make a reservation: volcanoteide.com
If you choose to stay overnight in the cabin, the previously mentioned permit is not required as it is included in the accommodation arrangement. For those who are either too comfortable or not physically fit enough to walk to the top, there is another option to enjoy the stars. This is particularly recommended for older individuals and children: the famous cable car of Tenerife. To enjoy the stars, it is of course necessary to book an additional night in the refuge as well.
There are various tour operators that offer special stargazing tours. You can find many options on the internet or by walking through the streets of Tenerife. So, if you’re not keen on hiking, there is also the option to book a tour that includes transportation by bus, cable car, and even additional telescopes.
If you don’t want to book a tour, rent a car, or take a taxi, you can also use public buses to get to Teide National Park, such as to the base of the cable car station. To see the stars, an overnight stay at the refuge is necessary, but for a day trip, you can take the bus in the morning and return in the afternoon. You can find information about bus connections on the following website: titsa.com
On the top of the world
It seriously felt this way when we were standing on the summit of Teide, high above the clouds, with nothing blocking the view. After an exhausting but magical hike through the night, under a breathtaking sky, we finally reached the top and enjoyed a well-deserved breakfast (consisting of bread, cheese, oranges, and chocolate) as the sun rose.
As the first rays of sunlight reached us, the stars began to slowly fade. Although it was cold and windy on the summit, as soon as the sun rose, it warmed our faces. This breathtaking sunrise made every single step of hiking up 3200m worth it. On the way up we even passed through passages of ice. Imagine how cold it was.
The sulfur smell, which becomes more intense as you get closer to the summit, is truly distinctive. There are green sulfuric areas from which smoke rises up. Combined with the altitude of over 3000m above sea level, this makes deep breathing challenging. This is especially the case if you’re not used to hiking at such heights. The final meters to the summit are particularly difficult, but that’s completely normal. You will also encounter other people struggling with the path on the way to the top.
Just take your time and once you have reached the top, all the troubles are forgotten because of the view!
I want to take this opportunity to thank my friend for the amazing hike, his equipment, and especially the beautiful photos he took! This hike was a highlight of my internship abroad on Tenerife. If you are interested in travelling, I reccomend checking out his Instagram-profile to discover more beautiful spots of our planet.
Photo by @krastevdeyan
