"It definitely is a challenge! The climb starts easy but gets harder and harder-like levelling up on a game! Not only do you have to be determined and have a positive attitude but you must push yourself physically and mentally! However, you feel a sense of real achievement and the view is just stunning! My camera battery is exhausted, just like me."
The Teide Challenge is an experience of a lifetime and here at the Fair Earth Foundation, we are here to facilitate you completing the challenge. Will you endeavour to climb the volcano for people and the planet?
fancy the challenge?
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Join one of our monthly expeditions to tackle El Teide!
We have been running the Teide Challenge for 25 years, with explorers from around the world coming to test their mental and physical strength. El Teide is the third highest active volcano in the world and casts the world's longest shadow. The gruelling 7 hour hike to the summit is tough and will push anyone to their limits, but it comes with the reward of watching one of the most phenomenal sunrises in the world! As Spain's highest peak, it is also one of the best places to stargaze - a stunning experience for all. Climbing El Teide is an unforgettable adventure, and you can reach the summit with focused preparation, good camaraderie, determination and plenty of spirit! Our Volcanic Venture will depart on the third weekend of every month, with COVID-19 secure measures in place - so join us and look forward to achieving something spectacular! |
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Take on the challenge with The Fair Earth Foundation, we’ll organise everything you need to get to the summit FREE. All you need to do is fundraise £250 for a charity of your choice. We will add your chosen charity to our Community Action database so that others can support it in the future! Make a positive difference on your terms by selecting a charity close to your heart, you can also mobilise your own networks to fundraise for your chosen cause.
What we will do for you FREE of charge:
What you need to do:
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Why are we doing this for you?
To inspire and facilitate people in making a positive difference for our planet!!
What you need to bring:
20% of the funds you raise will go to The Fair Earth Foundations’ Global Citizenship Programme and we will promote your chosen cause on our Community Action page and social media!
What you need to bring:
- Hiking boots and socks
- Gloves
- Wooly Hat
- Water/windproof coat
- Layers
- Torch and batteries
- Specialist medication and first aid
- Camera - Phones, DSLR or Action Cameras are all great.
- Water bottle (2L)
- Masses of positive energy and lots of tenacity!
20% of the funds you raise will go to The Fair Earth Foundations’ Global Citizenship Programme and we will promote your chosen cause on our Community Action page and social media!
About El Teide
There is evidence that the first expeditions up El Teide happened before the 17th century. The native people of Tenerife, the Guanches, referred to a powerful figure living in the volcano, which carries light, power and the sun. The Guanches also believed that El Teide held up the sky.
Many hiding places found in the mountains contain the remains of stone tools and pottery. These have been interpreted as being ritual deposits to counter the influence of the evil spirits they believed the volcano housed.
The volcanic crater left after the last major explosion is called the Caldera del Teide (some 12 km in diameter!) the Guanche regarded this as the ‘Mouth of Hell’ and all seven Guanche kingdoms radiate from this rim. The last major explosion destroyed the original volcano some 7-10 miles high and must have affected the world’s climate for decades.
Many hiding places found in the mountains contain the remains of stone tools and pottery. These have been interpreted as being ritual deposits to counter the influence of the evil spirits they believed the volcano housed.
The volcanic crater left after the last major explosion is called the Caldera del Teide (some 12 km in diameter!) the Guanche regarded this as the ‘Mouth of Hell’ and all seven Guanche kingdoms radiate from this rim. The last major explosion destroyed the original volcano some 7-10 miles high and must have affected the world’s climate for decades.
El Teide Fun Facts
- Teide national park has been host to a number of films including Clash of the Titans, Fast and Furious 6, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Planet of the Apes.
- The similarities between Teide National Park and Mars makes it the ideal place for testing instruments that are potentially going to be used on the red planet!
- The national park is often used as a training ground for professional cyclists to practice cycling at high altitudes whilst still being close to sea level.
learn moreIf you want to learn more about the nature and routes of Teide National Park, scan the QR code or follow the link for a downloadable and printable leaflet to take up with you! Due to its unique conditions, the park is home to some endemic species of plant and animal that you’ll encounter on the hike.
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testimonials
megan
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My experience climbing El Teide is one I will never forget. It was the ultimate combination of determination and teamwork. There were difficult parts but also funny moments, and as a team we pushed through, supporting one another and taking in the beautiful starry sky on all our breaks.
We started the journey steadily, enjoying the moonrise appearing above the rocky ridges. Eventually it became steeper and the terrain rockier, this was when it really felt like an expedition. Towards the top, the effect of the altitude hit and everyone felt the difficulty in catching their breath. We all took it steady with regular breaks to make sure everyone was ok to carry on. It is a gruelling 7 hours but is definitely worth the challenge and the sunrise at the top made it all worthwhile! It’s almost as if you’re on Mars! All you need is a good team, some great tunes and a lot of snacks. I hope that everyone gets a chance to tackle El Teide or any other physical feat in their lifetimes, as it truly is an unforgettable experience. |
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laura
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As someone who’s always struggled with joint issues, tackling El Teide was a huge challenge for me! It took us 6.5 hours to climb to the summit and the overwhelming feeling when we reached to top made the journey totally worth it. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
We started the walk at 1am, and the first thing that struck me was how amazing the stars were. I felt like I was in the middle of a star observatory and it was by far the most incredible sight I've ever seen, it’s almost worth the walk just for this! The first third or so was a steady incline, but it got gradually steeper as we got further up. After around 2.5 hours of hiking you could feel the change in altitude that made the hike all the more difficult. The playlist we’d made as a group before the trek was an absolute life saver, the atmosphere we managed to maintain whilst walking was the main thing that got me through. Around halfway up I started to struggle with a pain in my hips so my teammate offered kindly to take my bag for me to lighten the load of my back, and without this I would have struggled a lot more! Thankfully, we made it up to the summit just in time to see the sun rise through the clouds, and it was the greatest sunrise I’ve ever seen. To see the clouds rolling on to the hills below showed me just how far we’d managed to climb, and opening a cold prosecco with my best friend at the top was the ultimate reward. |
accessibility
We want to make this challenge accessible to everyone, no matter their capability. We will do all we can to make this happen, just let us know of any obstacles and we can get creative!
If you cannot climb El Teide physically or in person, you could complete it virtually by fundraising for your chosen cause and nominating a surrogate hiker to take your charities banner to the summit!
In November 2017, Gema Hassen-Bey took on El Teide and became the first Paralympic athlete in the world in a wheelchair to reach 3,000 meters altitude with only the momentum of her arms.
Up for the challenge? Email Megan at [email protected] to book your place or find out more!
If you cannot climb El Teide physically or in person, you could complete it virtually by fundraising for your chosen cause and nominating a surrogate hiker to take your charities banner to the summit!
In November 2017, Gema Hassen-Bey took on El Teide and became the first Paralympic athlete in the world in a wheelchair to reach 3,000 meters altitude with only the momentum of her arms.
Up for the challenge? Email Megan at [email protected] to book your place or find out more!
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If you want to get more involved with the work at the Fair Earth Foundation, then check out the following programmes and contact us for further information:
Volunteering
Art and Nature Programme
Global Citizenship Programme
Virtual Volunteering Programme
London Eco Film Festival
Educational Groups
Volunteering
Art and Nature Programme
Global Citizenship Programme
Virtual Volunteering Programme
London Eco Film Festival
Educational Groups
October fundraiser
November fundraiser
