PICO VIEJO SUNSET HIKE
Pico Viejo (3135m) is the second highest peak in Tenerife. This sunset hike is a great alternative to its famous neighbour, Mount Teide. It offers a quieter experience, a challenging ascent and if timed right, offers one of the most spectacular sunset views on the entire island. Without a doubt, the Pico Viejo hike ranks among my top 5 hiking adventures in Tenerife. If you enjoy physical challenges and love exploring less popular trails, hiking Pico Viejo should be your next adventure.
PICO VIEJO FACTS
Distance: The total distance was 13,2km.
Hike duration: This hike took us 6h with almost 1h break included.
Elevation gain: Total elevation gained: 1047m.
Difficulty: This hike is hard. What makes it challenging is a combination of total distance, elevation gained and hiking on higher altitude above 3000m. It is definitely one of the most challenging hikes on the island, comparable to Teide.
Understanding altitude sickness
At elevations above 2,500 meters, the air becomes thin and the body must work harder to get the oxygen it needs. This can cause a range of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea. In severe cases, high altitude sickness can be life-threatening. If you are not used to high altitudes, it is important to take your time and acclimatise to the elevation. You can do so by hiking at higher elevations before, for example: hiking Alto de Guajara is a great warmup ad acclimatisation trek. During the climb, you should drink plenty of water (bring minimum 2-3 litres), avoid alcohol and caffeine, and take frequent breaks to rest. If you experience any strong symptoms (a minor headache is considered ‘normal’) of high altitude sickness, stop hiking immediately and descend to a lower elevation. Be sure to listen to your body and be cautious on the trail.
Gear needed: Remember to bring layers, especially against the wind, fleece, hat and gloves as temperatures at this altitude can get down to 0 degrees easily. Sun protection is a must for this hike due to exposition. Another essential is a head torch if you’re hiking Pico Viejo during sunset like we did. If you’re unsure on what else to bring for a hike, read this guide.
My Strava map + gpx file: PICO VIEJO
GETTING TO PICO VIEJO HIKE
The starting point for Pico Viejo hike is right at the Mirador de Chio (Narices del Teide, 2090m). There aren’t any bus stops around so your best bet is hiring a car. You can easily park here.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING PICO VIEJO
Our hike started from the car park, with a flat start, leading towards the direction of Montana de Chio. The first few hundred metres were flat and pebbly. Soon enough we entered a little forest with a very tranquil ambiance. At the junction, we took left where the ascent begins. After about a kilometre, we reached a desert-like landscape.
Reaching Montana Chio
When we reached Montana Chio, the sun was blazing down on us, and we felt like two roasting chickens in the heat. It was so hot that I couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it feels like in the Sahara desert. Despite the scorching conditions, the volcanic scenery around us was truly captivating. The sand and rocks added a mesmerising beauty to this part of the hike, we were on fire!
Continuing our adventure, we took the left turn at the fork, drawing closer to Calderon. The sight of the interesting or rather unexpected crater caught our attention. We thought it was the right moment to take a break, have some snacks while soaking in the surroundings. Luckily we were lucky to find some shade, otherwise we’d probably become a meal at this point.
Demanding ascent
The next phase of our hike was very strenuous. This section is a demanding, steep incline of almost 2 kilometres with full sun exposition. Over the course of approximately 2 hours, as we climbed up, our hearts were beating faster. This is where the altitude kicked in, and we could feel the thinness of the air. I guess that’s just mother nature gently reminding us of the unique terrain we were conquering.
Welcome to Mars!
And there we had it! The summit of Pico Sur (3099m). Oh my god – these were my first words after seeing that stunning caldera. The Plateu Pico Sur crater and it’s enormous size took our breath away. The sun was setting and a game of lights unfolded around both peaks of Pico Sur and Pico Viejo. The evening sky was like a canvas of colours. Starting with vibrant shades of red and pink painting the horizon. The main highlight was the experience of seeing both sun and the moon at the same time on the opposite sides.
Return journey
We hanged around that area for about an hour. The funny part is that we completely forgot that we haven’t even reached the ‘real’ summit of Pico Viejo. We were so stunned by this caldera that we forgot that the highest point is located at another point along the crater’s edge. We ended up returning from the altitude of around 3100m. Despite missing the summit, we made a practical decision. With the night approaching, we chose to hurry back so we didn’t have to hike all the way back in the dark. Especially if we consider how difficult the way back was. It’s a long and very tricky path with a lot of sharp and loose rocks along the route. Since we were already late, I couldn’t take many pictures.
PS It’s the same route I took during my Teide descent. You can find some pictures there.
CONCLUSION
Pico Viejo hike is without a doubt one of the best adventure hikes in Tenerife. Although very challenging, it similar if not.. better views than its bigger brother – Teide. It’s also less crowded and if you decide to hike it during sunset, the views can never be forgotten. If you enjoy challenging hikes, here are couple of recommendations: Sendero de Baracan – a route that’s a combination of a few trails in Teno Mountains, Punta del Hidalgo/Chinamada/Batan – an old linen trail, my personal favourite hike in Tenerife, Playa de Ijuana – challenging hike to the most remote beach of the island, Epic Los Gigantes hardcore trail and at last – Teide.
HAVE YOU SEEN MY OTHER HIKING GUIDES FOR TENERIFE?
I lived and worked in Tenerife for three months, hiking nearly every day. I’ve explored over 70 trails to bring you an ultimate guide – highlighting the Top 30 Best Hikes in Tenerife. Each guide has a detailed description including the distance, difficulty, gear needed and everything else needed to complete the hike successfully. If you happen to notice any changes on the trail that should be updated – please drop the comment below so I can keep this guide up to date.
If you prefer easier hikes that can be completed under 3 hours, check out Top 12 Short Hikes in Tenerife guide.
Safe and happy hiking my friend!
