Climb to Alto de Guajara in Tenerife as an alternative to Pico de Teide

Trek to the Alto de Guajara mountain in the vicinity of the Pico de Teide volcano

Starting point

The Parador Nacional, where there is a car park and visitor centre with a small museum and café, is easily accessible by bus and car. I opted for the 342 bus from Costa Adeje (runs up once a day at 9:15am and back down once a day at 4pm).
 

Description of the hike

I had to reconsider my original goal to climb Pico del Teide, because climbing during the day requires an official permit from the National Park Authority, but the capacity of issued permits is usually full long in advance. I therefore decided to make an alternative ascent of Alto de Guajara (2718 m), the third highest peak on the island.

The bus drops me off at the Parador Nacional bus stop, which is both my starting and finishing point. After about 800 metres from the start, I pass under the rock formations of Piedras Amarillas ("yellow stones"), where I start to climb uphill on rocky serpentines. Every once in a while I have to turn around and admire the surrounding landscape with all its different shades of brown and green. At the saddle of Degollada de Ucanca, which is just past the halfway point, I take a short break for a snack, enjoying the view of majestic Teide, while also being able to see across to the sea. The trail then climbs steeply from here up to a high rock face and then above it, the last kilometre is just a gentle climb up the plateau to the summit.

Na něm se sice nachází již jen pozůstatky astronomické observatoře, ale výhled do okolní krajiny pouhým okem je zde bezchybný. Celému panoramatu samozřejmě dominuje vulkán Teide, ale kromě něj se lze kochat pohledem na okolní hřebeny, náhorní plošinu a také na oceán se siluetami dalších Kanárských ostrovů. Když po hodině dorazím zpátky dolů, jdu se ještě podívat ke skalnatým útvarům Roques de García, kterým dominuje 100 metrů vysoká kolmá skála zvaná La Catedral nebo hojně fotografovaný Roque Cinchado (Boží prst). I odtud lze absolvovat zhruba čtyřkilometrovou okružní túru okolo těchto bizarních skal, které se formovaly účinkem vody a větru po miliony let.
 

Difficulty

The path with an elevation of less than 600 metres runs exclusively on a rocky path with minimal shade, no special equipment or permits are needed; for the return journey you can choose an alternative, only slightly longer circular route on the GR131.
 

Water availability

Water can be bought at the shop at the Parador Nacional at the start of the hike, there is no water along the way.
 

Mountain peaks

The entire ascent of Alto de Guajara offers constant views of the wide surroundings of the entire Cañadas plateau, the neighbouring highest peak of the island, Pico de Teide, and the rock formations of Los Roques. From the summit itself you can see the surrounding ocean and the silhouettes of the other Canary Islands in the distance - La Gomera, La Palma or Gran Canaria.
 

Food

Bistro Cafetería Los Roques is located at the parking lot at the beginning/end of the trek.
 

Attractions

The route passes through the Parque Nacional del Teide, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also possible to take a longer circular route along the GR 131 long-distance route.

According to the information board, the remains of the world's first high-altitude astronomical observatory, dating from 1856, are located on the summit.