Fortaleza Hike in Tenerife: Teide National Park

Our adventure begins at the base of Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts an otherworldly landscape formed by volcanic eruptions. The park’s centerpiece, Mount Teide, is Spain’s highest peak. It’s also the third highest volcano in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor. Today, we’ll take a less-traveled trail, the Fortaleza hike in Teide National Park in Tenerife. The Fortaleza hike is a moderate out and back trail to a fortress-like rock formation, with spectacular views of Mount Teide and the north shore of Tenerife. The trail meanders through a variety of terrain – from rocky paths to sandy slopes.

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Fortaleza Hike Tenerife Overview

• Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km) roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 754 ft (230 m)
• Average Hiking Time: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: El Portillo Vistor’s Center in Teide National Park, Tenerife
• Public Transport: Titsa bus lines 341, 342 and 348
• Alltrails link

TIP-> Tenerife’s Fortaleza Trail has little shade. Plan to start the hike early in the day to avoid the heat of the midday sun. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, and extra water. See our Essential Hiking Tips below.

If you prefer to explore Teide with a tour, check out some of the top rated tours below.

Hiking Route

You’ll start this hike near the El Portillo Visitor’s Center in Teide National Park. There are rangers at the visitor’s center, who can answer any questions you might have about the hike and the area. As a result of recent wildfires, the entrance to the trail was closed in early 2024. The rangers provided us with an alternative starting point, which added about 0.5 miles roundtrip.

Hiking towards La Fortaleza

The first 1 km of the trail heads towards Mount Teide on a gently rolling trail. At the first intersection, take a right and follow signs for La Fortaleza (S-1). Shortly after turning right, we caught an incredible view over the clouds blanketing the north shore of Tenerife.

The trail at this point is a wide walking path, which steadily gains in elevation. The landscape transforms, with the vegetation thinning, giving way to the lunar landscapes Tenerife is famous for. Mount Teide is a constant presence on your left as you are walking out towards the Fortaleza. Our pace was a bit slower than usual, since we stopped to take so many photos and to absorb the views. We found a large rock to sit on, taking a snack break before continuing on.

Enjoying Fortaleza and the Return Trip

The landscape transforms again as you head downhill to reach a sandy stretch of trail. Walking on the sand isn’t too hard, since the sand is not too deep. This is a beautiful stretch of trail, walking across the sand with Mount Teide on your left and La Fortaleza, the large mass of rock, on your right.

At another intersection (shown below), continue to follow signs for S1 and the Fortaleza trail. You do have the option to extend this hike to loop around Montaña Negra, but we are going to stick to the Fortaleza trail for this post.

Once you reach the end of the trail, turn around and retrace your steps back to El Portillo.

Wrapping Up your Fortaleza Hike in Teide

Though the Fortaleza hike in Tenerife is not an epic, challenging adventure, it stands out as a tranquil journey through the diverse terrains of Teide national park. We saw only 2 people on the outward trail and less than a dozen on our return trip. The stark contrast came into full view as we concluded our hike, driving past Mount Teide’s cable car station, besieged by a sea of vehicles spilling from the overflowing parking area. This juxtaposition between our peaceful outing in nature and the bustling throngs near Mount Teide couldn’t have been more striking. It was a vivid reminder of the tranquil area of Tenerife that we had hiked that morning, enabling us to connect deeply with Teide’s dynamic landscapes.

For additional trip planning ideas in Tenerife, you might enjoy our other Tenerife posts:

• Epic Active Tenerife Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Tenerife
• Benijo to Cruz Draguillo Hike
• Los Gigantes Hiking: El Agujero
• Top Things to Do in Anaga Rural Park
• La Laguna Day Trip

Essential Hiking Tips

• Sunscreen: The suns rays are much more intense at higher elevations. Wearing sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection is essential.
• Mountain weather: Always check the forecast before heading out. Keep in mind that mountain weather changes rapidly. When you see bad weather coming, get below timberline as quickly as possible.
• Dress in layers. Dress in layers, and always carry a raincoat. Wear wool socks and sturdy hiking boots for support and traction. My favorites are Salomon hiking boots and trail shoes. Osprey’s Sportlite 25L is our favorite daypack to carry our extra clothes, food and water, and first aid kit. For short hikes, we bring along an Osprey Trail Running pack.
• Trekking poles: Many people enjoy having trekking poles, which can reduce the strain on your ankles and knees, and can help with balance on uneven terrain.
• Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Consider adding electrolytes to help you stay hydrated, such as Nuun and LiquidIV. Don’t drink water from streams and ponds, unless you are using a LifeStraw or similar. Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
• Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Wildlife Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in the area. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising animals and know what to do in an encounter with local animals.
• Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
• First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.

Where to Stay in Tenerife for your Fortaleza Hike

See our post on Where to Stay in Tenerife for more ideas on where to stay while visiting Tenerife.