Trail 0 4 0

Details

DifficultyDifícil
Duration9:45 horas
CircularSi
Distance27,19 km
Acc. drop7,70 mts
Tenerife‘s route 040 is an adventurous trail that reaches the summit of mount Teide, starting from the shore of Socorro beach in the municipality of Los Realejos and returning on the same path until one has once again set foot on the volcanic sand of the beach. It is, without a doubt, the toughest of Teide’s challenges, the third highest volcano on the planet as measured from its base.

The powers of evil, a kind of netherworld, which they greatly feared, lay hidden in the interior of Echeyde, which is what the aboriginal Guanches called the volcano, whose image was always surrounded with mystery. In addition to the achievement of this great feat, which with nearly 7,600 meters of accumulated height difference and 54 kilometers of mountainous route, it is the route with the highest orographic height difference in Spain, thus turning the island of Tenerife into an attractive sporting and a destination with cult status.

Reaching the summit of the Atlantic giant is a huge challenge. But it only finishes once you have returned to sea level again. As those who love mountaineering say: “you’ve only finished the climb once you’ve come back down again

For experienced runners and properly trained athletes, the route is considered a challenge to be completed in a single day. Many athletes and skyrunners of international renoun have attained it, each season achieving a previously unimaginable new record. For those less prepared in this type of tests, it is recommended to enjoy the route in several stages, completing the phases in two or three days, thus achieving the final goal more comfortably and with equal satisfaction.

In addition, the climatic conditions of the island allow this trail to be done during much of the year, except in winter when Teide is often covered with snow.

A unique experience in an amazing place. Route 040 leaves no-one unmoved. Accept the challenge and enjoy it.

Warning
  • During the periods from May 5th to June 13th, and from October 2nd to November 30th access to the route 040 from Piedra de Los Pastores to the Teide summit is closed from Monadys to Fridays.

Route Map

Apuntes de interés

A BIT OF HISTORY

 
The municipality of Los Realejos, in the north of the island of Tenerife, has a quite remarkable orography. On its territory we find the Tigaiga mountains, a millions of years old massif that closes the Orotava Valley on the west. The trail which boasts the highest cumulative altitude on the island, runs along these steep slopes. A circular route that starts from level 0 on the Socorro beach to climb the Pico del Teide at 3,715 meters of altitude, and descend by the same path, back to the volcanic sand of the coast.

The trajectory of Route 040 is given by various old roads that connected farmsteads and hamlets of the municipality of Los Realejos, as well as others trails that ascended to the area of Las Cañadas and linked with those of the south of the Island. These roads were used for all types of transit: goods, animals and people that went up or down from the highest areas to the coast or vice versa.

Added to this is the interest shown by foreign visitors, since at least the 18th century, to climb Mount Teide and reach its summit. These characters, mostly scientists and naturalists, organized excursions that started from Puerto de la Cruz, passing through Los Realejos, and continue along these old trails that reached Las Cañadas, and from there start the ascent to the summit. There are many written testimonies about these outings that lasted several days, with different stages, many of them full of details and descriptions of places, notes about flora and fauna, as well as the people that accompanied them. It is through these notes that we know how the trail matches the current route 040.

Likewise, during the 20th century, the trail has been improved by different measures carried out by government agencies, such as the former Institute of Nature Conservation ICONA and later the Cabildo de Tenerife and the Canary Islands Government. Most important among them is the building of tracks to facilitate communication in the event of forest fires.

It wasn’t until 2018, though, and given the popularity acquired by the route, when different institutions projected its improvement and homologation as a trail.

NOTES ABOUT FLORA AND FAUNA

The trajectory of Route 040 takes us into protected natural reserves such as the Rambla de Castro, Tigaiga, Campeches and Ruiz, the Corona Forestal and the Teide National Park, where we can get to know first hand the wealth of the ecosystems and altitudinal zones of the north side of the island of Tenerife..

The rich biodiversity is evident in the multitude of plant and animal species that live in these places, especially on the slopes of Tigaiga, which reach from the cliffs on the coast to El Cabezón in the Teide National Park, where we find authentic relics of our natural heritage.

The summit or high mountain area is the habitat of the Pterocephalus lasiospermus (rosalito de la cumbre), with its striking flowers, the Tenerife blugloss and the retama brooms, as well as an endemic fauna, especially the invertebrate, which goes mostly unnoticed in the lava flows of Las Cañadas del Teide. The National Park, the most visited in Europe, has a rich and varied biodiversity, much of it located between solidified rivers of lava.

The vast expanse of the Corona Forestal is a nesting place for the blue chaffinch, the great spotted woodpecker and the black-headed warbler, which share this space within the mountain shrublands and the laurel forest. In the so-called monteverde, the humidity of the trade winds has maintained this millenary stronghold of species, both plant and animal, that coexist among pines, wild olive trees, persea indica, small-leaved hollies, picconia excelsa, stinkwood and Canary laurels, excellent sources of food for the white tailed laurel pigeons.

In the area of the midlands and where we find the main human settlements, the old thermophilic forests remain as vestiges of larger areas that have now disappeared. In them, junipers, dragon trees and palm trees can be found in the company of clary sage, morning-glory-trees, gold rod trees, tree limonium, dogfennel, Canary Island sorrel and the colourful Canary foxgloves. The fauna is numerous, among which the Tenerife lizard, the partridge, the kestrel and the common canary stand out. On the coast, the balsam spurge and the remains of Canary Islands spurge predominate, along with nesting areas for birds, especially shearwaters.

This natural wealth coexists with a particular cultural heritage that the municipality conserves thanks to a fruitful history that goes back several centuries. Los Realejos boasts with being the most festive town in Spain, with more than eighty festivities throughout the year. In its hamlets and districts, customs linked to the agricultural cycle, gastronomy, oral tradition and folklore are maintained, passed on from generation to generation by a population that has continued to look to its ancestral roots.

To visit the municipality is to enter its midlands; landscapes marked by narrow terraces, which in many cases contrast with extensions on which cereals and “bonita” potatoes are grown. Both products have a deep roots in the high areas of the municipality.

Los Realejos offers many possibilities to learn about its history in its cultural heritage, practice active sports such as paragliding, surfing and bodyboarding, hiking, trail running, or enjoy its festivals and gastronomy.

Route 040 is an example of this, since it allows you to get to know part of that legacy, both cultural and natural, traveling its more than 56 kilometers of trail, starting from the waters of the Socorro beach, ascending Mount Teide to crown it, and going back down again to return to the black sand of our coast.

Route directions

  • We start off our hike at sea level on the black sands of Socorro beach. Here we take the road that leads us u to the TF-5 main road and we ascend up to the first crossroads.
  • On the way up, we will leave to our right the Hacienda de las Cuatro Ventanas manor and the crossroads between bananas that allows us to reach the Guindaste natural pools. We pass under the tunnel and cross the road to take the path next to the signpost.
  • We climb up to the upper part of the ridge known as “Lomo del Bloliche” where there is a panel with a representation of the views of the Rambla. We walk down to the “La Cueva” road and then continue ascending.
  • We take the “La Cueva” road and continue ascending a stretch of land until we reach the hamlet. From here we continue on the asphalted road until the intersection.
  • At the intersection we turn left, walking a few hundred metres until we reach the intersection with “Camino Las Piedras” to the right.
  • We walk up “Camino Las Piedras” which is asphalted and reach “Calle Tigaiga” at the upper end. There is a well here, where we can refill our water bottles. We now have to turn left.
  • We each the sawmill at the intersection with the chapel of the “Cross of the Sawmill”. Here we turn right and begin the ascent on the old road “Camino de Las Vueltas”.
  • The first section of “Camino de las Vuletas” is partly asphalted, partly cemented that ends in a dirt road. Here we turn right and follow the original route. We walk up a winding, stone paved path until we reach the TF-342 main road.
  • On the Icod el Alto general road weturn right onto the pedestrian zone that along the edge of the road in direction of the El Lance lookout where we have impressive views of the Orotava Valley and part of the island’s north coast.
  • Once past the El Lance viewpoint, we will continue along the pedestrian walkway until we see a pedestrian crossing on the left which we must take to go onto “Calle El Lance” street.
  • This street has some particularly steep sections so we must be very careful, especially if there is traffic.
  • After passing through the inhabited area we reach an agricultural area where we will find the path that will take us to the La Corona lookout.
  • From the La Corona outlook we can contemplate some of the most beautiful landscapes of the island’s north. We take the trail next to the geodesic mark and next to the parking area until we reach the “Asomadero” without turning from the path. The path goes on being steep and it has slippery stretches.
  • From the “Asomedero” lookout, situated at 1,100 metres above sea level, we can enjoy spectacular views of mount Teide and the entire Orotava Valley. Several antennae are situated here and the PRTF 40 Trail passes through here, too. We continue our trail in ascent.
  • A few netres further on we encouter a crossing of several trails: Chanajiga / Pino Llorón / Corral Quemado. We continue upwards without leaving the main trail.
  • We cross an area of shrubland and pine forest with several intersections that we must not use. We reach an area known as “Piedra de los Pastores” (Shepherds’ Stone) and continue along the main trail.
  • We pass the “Piedra de la Gallega”, the “Colmenar de la Chapa” and enter the National Park. Crossing the barrier we continue along the main path, turning a curve to the left and taking the path on the right until we reach the lookout of “El Cabezón” an 2,166 metres above sea level.
  • We mustn’t leave the main trail until we reach the foot of the “La Fortaleza” cliffs where we find the Chapel of Fregel or of the “Degollada” (the beheaded). Once we arrive here we continue on a short descent onto the plain.
  • One on the plain that bears several names: Los Guancheros, de la Degollada, de las Brujas, we turn right onto th emain trail that leads us past a fenced plot of land, to National Park trail number 22 on the left. We cross the whole plain along this trail.
  • At the end of trail 22 we connect with trail number 6 in the area of “Montaña de Los Conejos” (Rabbits’ Mountain). This trail also belong to the network of trail of the National Park. We reach the intersection with the Montaña Blanca trail and further on we take trail number 7 that will take us to the summit.
  • We continue along trail number 7, passing Montaña Blanca, an area of pumice, that leads through areas which are quite steep, some as much as 60%.
  • Halfway from Montaña Blanca we arrive at the Altavista Refuge, where we can rest.  Inside we can drink water or refill the bottles, to continue on the road to Rambleta.
  • The trail ends at this point, La Rambleta, and on the left the Telesforo Bravo trail begins that will lead us to the peak. You can only walk through it with a special permit (see other information of interest). It is a high altitude, very steel section.
  • The summit is the mid point of Route 040. On a clear day you can see all seven islands and large part of the island of Tenerife. Once arrived at the summit, the return journey is along the same route, only in the opposite direction, which means we have to pass the itinerary points in reverse order.

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Route video

Practical information

Data sheetTransportRecommendations

Details

DifficultyDifícil
Duration9:45 horas
CircularSi
Distance27,19 km
Going up1,19 km (4%)
Going down16,74 km (62%)
Max. height3.676,01 mts
Min. height24,65 mts
Slope3.651,36 mts
Acc. drop7,70 mts
BUS (http://www.titsa.com):
  • Playa El Socorro (Código 5067): Línea 546. (sólo en verano)
  • El Socorro, junto a la TF-5 (Código 4331): Líneas 107, 108, 363 y 325
  • Montaña Blanca (Código 7687): Línea 348
TAXI:
  • Servitaxi Realejos: 922 346 045
  • Radio Taxi: 922 346 096
PLAN AHEAD: When organising your hike, don’t forget to bring your charged mobile phone, sun protection cream, hat, adequate clothes and shoes, as well as sufficient water and food.
HIKE IN COMPANY: Before setting out, consult the meteorological conditions to make sure they are adequate. Inform family or friends about your route and only walk on marked paths.
AVOID MAKING NOISE: You will enjoy nature better in silence.
DON’T LEAVE RUBBISH: Take any rubbish with you, including anything organic and be especially careful with cigarette ends. This way you help maintain the beauty of the landscape and prevent the proliferation of rodents.
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT: Don’t pick plants and don’t take animals or objects from their surroundings. Respect the locals’ way of life.
BE CAREFUL: Hiking in nature holds risks. You hike under your own responsibility.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This leaflet is meant to be informative. The information it contains can depart from reality and cannot precisely represent the actual state of trails and paths which may have suffered alterations due to weather and other factors after this information was printed.

We remind you that adequate means and equipment have to be used for hiking and that you should always act with the necessary precaution that this activity demands.

The town hall of Los Realejos publishes this leaflet to make the trails of the municipality known to the public and does in no manner assume responsibility for its incorrect or negligent usage.