Teide Summit Night Hike & Sunrise from 3,718m Tenerife

Climbing Teide in Darkness to Catch the Sun Rise Over Clouds

You climb through the night under stars with a headlamp and guide, gaining 1,380 meters over six and a half hours to reach Spain's highest peak. At dawn, you watch the sunrise paint the sky while Teide casts its legendary shadow across a sea of clouds below. The hike includes headlamp, poles, permits, snacks, and hot drinks. You start around 1 AM and finish as the sun clears the horizon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night hike to Teide summit and sunrise

• Start hike around 1 AM
• Ascend through volcanic landscapes
• Follow headlamps under starry sky
• Climb 10 kilometers with elevation gain
• Reach summit at 3,718 meters
• Watch sunrise over Atlantic Ocean
• See Teide's triangular shadow on clouds

The Experience

There's something that pulls at you when someone mentions watching the sunrise from the top of Spain's highest mountain: a mix of curiosity and quiet dread, because you know it means starting at 1 AM and climbing for six and a half hours in the dark. That's exactly what this night hike to Teide's summit is. You start around 1 AM (the exact time shifts with the sunrise), and for the next few hours, your world shrinks to the cone of your headlamp, the volcanic gravel crunching under your boots, and the sound of your own breathing as you gain 1,380 meters over 10 kilometers through Teide National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like another planet when the sun is down.

The hike itself is the kind of thing that separates wanting from doing. It's not technical climbing, but it is relentless: the elevation, the cold, the sustained effort in darkness. Your guide carries a headlamp too, and you'll have hiking poles to take some weight off your knees on the descent. The park issues permits that let you reach the actual summit at 3,718 meters, which matters because not every hiker gets that far. You'll get snacks and hot coffee or tea along the way, which becomes less of a nice touch and more of a lifeline around hour four when your legs are reminding you why you thought this was a good idea. But then the sky starts to change.

As dawn approaches, the transformation happens fast. The black sky bleeds into deep blue, then gold, then crimson: colors that move across the horizon while you're standing still, watching. Below you, the Atlantic Ocean and the volcanic terrain disappear under a sea of clouds. And then there's the shadow: Teide's triangular silhouette stretching across that cloud layer, the longest shadow on Earth, cast by the sun rising behind you. It's the kind of moment that makes the 1 AM start and the burning quads feel like a trade you'd make again.

What’s included

• Headlamp for night navigation.
• hiking poles to reduce strain on descent.
• summit permits required to reach the peak.
• snacks during the climb.
• hot coffee and/or tea at rest stops.

Days and timesMon · 04:00

Ages18 to 59 years · Under 18 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupPickup optional · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Free Parking spot near Parador del Canadas del Teide”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by 10X. Tenerife eXperience. Hiking Adventure.

Is this one for you?This is for people drawn to the physical and emotional challenge of a high-altitude night climb: the kind who want to earn the sunrise rather than sleep through it. The guide, permits, and equipment mean you don't have to navigate the dark volcano alone or figure out the park's access rules yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What time does the night hike to Teide start?

Around 1 AM, with the exact time shifting slightly depending on the sunrise. The full hike takes 6 to 6.5 hours.

How high is Mount Teide and how much elevation do you gain?

The summit is 3,718 meters above sea level. You gain 1,380 meters over the 10-kilometer hike.

What's included in the hike?

Headlamp, hiking poles, summit permits, snacks, and hot coffee or tea during the climb.

What is Teide's shadow and when do you see it?

Teide casts a triangular shadow across the clouds below at sunrise: the longest shadow on Earth. You see it as the sun rises behind you at the summit.

Is this hike technical climbing?

No, it's not technical, but it is physically demanding. The challenge is the sustained elevation gain, the duration, and the cold night conditions rather than technical skill.

Can you descend the same day?

Yes, the full hike including descent takes 6 to 6.5 hours total, finishing around sunrise or shortly after.