Roques de García trail: Teide route 3, start and tips

The Roques de García trail is number 3 in Teide National Park (PNT 03): a 3.6 km loop around the rocks, taking about 2 hours, rated medium by the park. It starts and ends at the Mirador de La Ruleta viewpoint, at km 46 of the TF-21. Access is free: you need no booking or permit. For something shorter, the first stretch is an accessible path of under a kilometre.

What you will see

The Roques de García are a cluster of rock formations in the middle of the park. The trail loops around them: Roque Cinchado, El Torrotito, El Burro, Roques Blancos and the Oso rock. As you set off, they rise on your left.

Next you reach the Llano de Ucanca with hardly any change in height. From there the path drops slightly and La Cascada comes into view, a tongue of lava from very runny magma. The last part goes round La Catedral, a phonolite volcanic chimney laid bare by erosion. Getting back to the start means a steep zigzag climb, so keep something in reserve for the end.

The route: the park's figures

The National Park's official listing gives a 3.6 km circuit, 2 hours and medium difficulty. You walk between 2,022 and 2,186 metres above sea level, with a maximum height difference of 175 m and 202 m of total ascent (and the same in descent). The average gradient is 12.64 %.

Two other park trails branch off the PNT 03: number 23, Los Regatones Negros, and number 26, Ucanca.

Where it starts, and the accessible stretch

The starting point is the Mirador de La Ruleta, on the main Teide road (TF-21) at km 46, in the municipality of La Orotava. There is parking, with spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility.

The first stretch is shared with the Roques de García accessible trail (SA PNT 03): 0.97 km one way, about 15 minutes and low difficulty, suitable for people with reduced mobility. It is the option if someone in your group has reduced mobility, or if time is short. The rest of the loop is not accessible.

Do you need a booking or permit?

No. The park and the Cabildo list it as free access, with no booking, open to everyone. What does need a permit is the final stretch to the summit of Teide, which is a different outing.

The Tenerife trails that do need booking

National Park rules

• Stick to authorised trails and roads, and park only in marked areas.
• Do not take stones, plants or animals, and do not paint rocks or spell words with them.
• Carry out all your rubbish: there are bins at recreation areas and viewpoints.
• Open fires, wild camping and sleeping in your car are all banned.
• No drones, kites, balloons or fireworks; avoid radios and loud noise.
• Look at archaeological remains without touching or moving them.
• Do not set up chairs, tables, hammocks or parasols outside authorised areas.

There are no picnic areas inside the park. For food, the park lists Portillo Alto, Portillo Bajo, the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide and the cable car.

Getting there by car and by bus

By car, from the north you enter on the TF-21 from La Orotava to El Portillo (31 km). From the west, the TF-38 climbs from Chío to Boca de Tauce. La Ruleta is on the TF-21 itself, at km 46. Before setting off, the Cabildo's road information centre answers on 900 210 131.

By bus, the stop given by the Cabildo is Parador del Teide (7684), served by TITSA lines 348 and 342. The 348 leaves Puerto de la Cruz bus station at 9:30 and La Orotava at 9:45, every day, and returns from the Parador at 16:00. The 342 leaves Costa Adeje bus station at 9:25 and also heads back from the Parador at 16:00. That is one bus a day each way: miss it and there is no other.

Getting to Teide from Icod

What to bring and precautions

• Warm layers and sun protection: the park recommends both. You are walking above 2,000 metres.
• Water and food: plenty of water, something to eat and a small first-aid kit.
• Walking boots, phone, hat and waterproof, as Turismo de Tenerife advises.
• Daylight: leave enough time to finish before dark, walk with someone and tell a person your route.
• Weather: check AEMET's Teide mountain bulletin, which forecasts wind, temperatures and wind chill on the high ground (Izaña, cable car, summit) and reports observed readings at Cañadas Parador.
• Closures: the park can close trails; check its incidents page. The accessible stretch's listing warns of closures for mouflon control.
• Emergencies: 112.

Teide mountain bulletin (AEMET) ↗

Code

PNT 03 · National Park trail no. 3

Type

loop

Distance and time

3.6 km · 2 h

Difficulty

medium (according to the park)

Altitude and climb

2,022-2,186 m · 202 m total ascent

Start and finish

Mirador de La Ruleta, TF-21 km 46 · parking with accessible spaces

Booking

not needed · free access

Accessible stretch

SA PNT 03 · 0.97 km one way · about 15 min

Bus

TITSA 348 and 342 · Parador del Teide stop (7684) · return at 16:00

Park office

922 92 23 71 · pnteide@tenerife.es · Monday to Friday, 9:00-14:00

From Finca Julia

From Icod by car, our guide to getting to Teide explains both ways up. The Roques fit well into the same day as the cable car: on the way back, line 348 stops at the Parador and, five minutes later, at the cable car. If you plan to reach the summit, remember that stretch needs a separate permit.

Without a car it can be done, with patience: TITSA line 363 links Icod with Puerto de la Cruz bus station, where the 348 leaves at 9:30. Check both timetables the night before, because there is no slack for missing the connection. And if you want more, stay on for the night sky.

Teide cable car: price and opening hours

How to climb to the summit of Teide

Stargazing from the north of Tenerife

Trails near Icod

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Roques de García trail take?

The park reckons on 2 hours for the 3.6 km. If you only walk the accessible stretch, about 15 minutes one way.

Do I need a permit for Roques de García?

No. Access is free with no booking. A permit is only required for the final stretch to the summit of Teide.

Is it hard?

The park rates it medium; other official listings call it low. Most of it is flat or gently downhill, but it finishes with a steep zigzag climb at over 2,000 metres.

Can you get to Roques de García by bus?

Yes. The stop is Parador del Teide (7684), with the 348 from Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava and the 342 from the south. Both head back at 16:00.