# Montaña Blanca and the Altavista Refuge, on foot to La Rambleta

What to do en Teide National Park · Teide National Park

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/montana-blanca-and-altavista-refuge-trail · Revisado: 2026-11-13

- Duración: 5 h 30
- Temporada: All year, except with snow or ice
- Para quién: Fit mountaineers, from age 14

Linear route · 8.2 km · 5 h 30 up · 1,186 m of ascent · Booking required · From age 14

This is the way to climb the Teide without the cable car: the Park's route 7 leaves the TF-21 at around km 40 and climbs 1,186 m in 8.2 km to La Rambleta, beside the upper station. The Park estimates 5 hours 30 and rates it high difficulty. First you cross Montaña Blanca, with its balls of dark lava on pale pumice, the Huevos del Teide (Teide's Eggs); then the path climbs the slope of the volcano and passes the Altavista Refuge, at 3,260 m.
Booking and fee
The stretch to La Rambleta needs a booking on Tenerife ON, with an entry time to the trail, just like the summit. Under the October 2026 regulations, non-residents of the Canary Islands pay €6 on weekdays and €10 at weekends and on public holidays; residents of Tenerife pay nothing. To set foot on the peak you also need the Telesforo Bravo permit. If you sleep at Altavista, both permits are included in the refuge booking.
Getting to the start
By car there is a small car park beside the road, about three minutes from the cable car base station. Buses 348, from Puerto de la Cruz, and 342, from Playa de las Américas, stop at Montaña Blanca. Many climb on foot and come down by cable car: buy the down-only ticket, but be ready to walk down if wind stops it.
Who it is for
For fit mountaineers acclimatised to walking many hours. Children under 14 are not admitted on this trail, and the Park advises against it for anyone with heart problems. Compulsory equipment: long trousers and a coat, boots, a phone with battery, a thermal blanket, water, hat and gloves, and a torch with spare battery. Without it, the wardens may not let you pass even if you have a booking.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 28.2595, -16.6032

## Cerca de aquí

- [Cafe-restaurant at the cable car base station](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/where-to-eat/cable-car-base-station-cafe), a 2.3 km
- [Stargazing with telescopes at the cable car base station](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/teide-stargazing-with-telescopes), a 2.3 km
- [Teide cable car, from 2,356 to 3,555 m](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/teide-cable-car-2356-to-3555-m), a 2.3 km
- [Altavista Refuge](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/where-to-stay/altavista-refuge-teide), a 3.0 km
- [La Fortaleza and Pico Viejo viewpoints, at La Rambleta](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/la-fortaleza-and-pico-viejo-viewpoints-la-rambleta), a 3.7 km
- [Astrophotography workshop for beginners in Teide National Park, with pick-up and equipment](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/astrophotography-beginners), a 4.1 km
- [Climbing the Teide peak on the Telesforo Bravo trail](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/climb-teide-peak-telesforo-bravo-trail), a 4.1 km
- [Private astrophotography session on Teide with pick-up in southern Tenerife](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park/things-to-do/private-astrophotography), a 4.1 km

## Consejos

### Set off early
You climb cooler and arrive with time in hand for the last cable car down.

### Drink often
Above 3,000 m tiredness arrives sooner than you expect.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take to climb the Teide on foot?
About 5 h 30 from the road to La Rambleta, according to the National Park.

### Do I need to book for Montaña Blanca?
Yes, for the stretch to La Rambleta, on Tenerife ON.

### Can I come down by cable car?
Yes, if it is running, with a down-only ticket. If not, you walk down the same trail.

Destino: [Teide National Park](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teide-national-park.md)