Guide · Highlands

Paragliding from Teide: tandem flight from the highlands

Paragliding from Teide is the big variant of tandem flying on Tenerife: launch in the highlands above the clouds, a long glide, and landing on the coast.

Check availabilityfrom $150 · free cancellation

Editor paraglidingteneriffa.deUpdated on 5 October 2026Reading time: 6 min.4 sources

In short

01Start
The Izaña launch site sits at 2,300 meters, with a direct view of Teide.1
02Landing
Flights from there land in Puerto de la Cruz or in Güímar.1
03The Mountain
Teide is the highest mountain in Spain at 3,715 meters.2
04Recommended
The flight from Teide to Puerto de la Cruz costs from $173 and takes 3 hours.
05Rating
Guests rate this flight 4.98 out of 303 reviews.

Why a flight from Teide is something special

Teide is the heart of Tenerife. At 3,715 meters it is the highest mountain in Spain, and the national park around it stretches from the pine forests on its flanks all the way up to the summit.2 If you launch in the highlands, you are not flying over a hotel zone but over a volcanic landscape of lava fields, craters, and pine forest.

For paragliders, Izaña is especially well known. Turismo de Tenerife describes the launch there as one of the most famous and sought-after on the island, at 2,300 meters above sea level, with a direct view of Teide.1 From such a high launch the route to the coast is long, and that is exactly what makes it special: you glide longer, see more, and experience the island in all its height.

A highland flight is no harder for you as a guest, but it demands more in terms of planning. The journey takes longer, the weather up top can differ from the coast, and the conditions have to be right along the entire route. That is why these flights are scheduled longer than the short flights in the south and cost a bit more.

How it works

A day with the flight from the highlands

  1. Early

    Meeting Point

    The team will give you the location and time after booking.

  2. Duration

    To the highlands

    The road leads through forest and lava to the launch site.

  3. At the takeoff spot

    Waiting for wind

    The pilot checks wind and clouds on the route.

  4. Flight

    Down toward the coast

    From the highlands you glide over slopes and valleys toward the sea.

  5. Landing

    North or east

    Flights from Izaña land in Puerto de la Cruz or Güímar.1

Izaña: Take-off between the observatory and lava fields

Izaña is not just a take-off spot for paragliders. The Teide observatory is also located here, at 2,390 meters, according to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.3 The white telescope domes are visible from far away and give the place an almost surreal atmosphere, especially in the early morning when the sun rises above the clouds.

The landscape around the take-off is barren: lava fields, scree, low bushes, and a view of the Teide towering above everything. Below you, there is often a layer of clouds that remains on the northern slopes of the island. When you take off above this layer and then glide through a gap into the valley, you experience a moment you will not forget quickly.

It can be significantly cooler up high than at the coast, even when the weather is perfect for swimming down below. Therefore, bring a jacket with you, even in summer. While waiting for the right wind, you may stand at the take-off for a while, and if you get cold, you will enjoy the moment less.

Altitudes

How high the highlands are above sea level

Meters
Takeoff Ifonche: 1.000 1.000 Takeoff IfoncheTakeoff Izaña: 2.300 2.300 Takeoff IzañaObservatory: 2.390 2.390 ObservatoryTeide summit: 3.715 3.715 Teide summit
Altitudes according to an offer in the south, Turismo de Tenerife, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and the national park; flights do not launch from the summit.132

Highland flights

Tandem flights with takeoff in the Teide area

FlightDurationRatingPrice from
From Teide to Puerto de la Cruz3 hrs4,98from $173
Sunset from Teide3 hrs4,62from $196
Puerto de la Cruz or Teide1 to 3 hrs.4,94from $162

Duration, rating and starting price according to the offers; each amount is a starting price per person.

Selection

Highland flights side by side

Paragliding Tenerife: Flight from Teide to Puerto de la Cruz Recommended

From Teide

To Puerto de la Cruz

Price
from $173
Duration
3 hrs
Rating
4,98
watch a flight
Sunset Paragliding fly from Teide to Puerto de la Cruz Evening light

Sunset

Evening flight from Teide

Price
from $196
Duration
3 hrs
Rating
4,62
watch a flight
Paragliding from Puerto de la Cruz or Teide National park Flexible

Puerto or Teide

With free rebooking

Price
from $162
Duration
1 to 3 hrs.
Rating
4,94
watch a flight

Decision helper

Is the Teide flight the right one for you?

Honest answers to the most common requests.

From Teide

Takeoff in Izaña at 2,300 meters and landing on the coast.1

A flight in the south

The flights in the south are shorter, about the 2-hour flight on this website.

The sunset flight

It costs from $196, but has only 3 reviews.

Puerto or Teide

This offer allows free rebooking.

The Izaña launch site is one of the most well-known and in-demand because it sits at 2,300 meters above sea level. It is a unique flight that begins with direct views of Teide.

Turismo de Tenerife, S.A.Translated from English · Source 1

Where flights from the Teide go

According to Turismo de Tenerife, you can fly from Izaña both northward and southward. The flights land in Puerto de la Cruz on the north coast or in Güímar.1 Which direction is chosen on your day depends on the wind, and the pilot decides on this shortly before take-off.

The most popular route for tandem guests is the flight down to Puerto de la Cruz. Above you, the highlands pass by first, then the pine forests on the slopes, and finally the green Orotava Valley with its villages, until the coast and the city get closer and closer. This change of landscapes on a single route is the real reason why guests choose this flight.

If you are in Puerto de la Cruz after landing, it is worth spending the rest of the day there. The old town and the promenade are a lovely place to go over the flight once more over a coffee. Clarify beforehand how you will get back to your accommodation after landing, especially if you are staying in the south.

Checklist

What you need for the highland flight

01

Clothing

  • A warm jacket for the launch
  • Sturdy, closed shoes
  • Sunglasses with a secure fit
02

Planning

  • Plan half a day for this experience
  • Book early in your holiday
  • Sort out the return trip after landing

Price calculator

What does the flight from the highlands cost you?

Choose a flight and the number of people.

people 2

Total from$346

p. P. from $173

Check availabilityfree cancellation

GetYourGuide starting prices, converted using the ECB reference rate. The booking will show you the exact price.

Video

Tandem flight in Teide National Park with takeoff at 2,200 meters

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Flights from the highlands compared

For tandem guests there are several offers that take off in the Teide area. The flight from the Teide to Puerto de la Cruz costs from $173, lasts 3 hours, takes up to 4 guests, and has 4.98 points from 303 reviews. It is the recommendation of this site because it explicitly names the route from the highlands to the north coast.

On the same route there is a sunset variant. It costs from $196, also lasts 3 hours, and has 3 reviews so far. The evening light is particularly beautiful, but with so few reviews the offer is harder to judge.

More flexible is the flight from Puerto de la Cruz or the Teide National Park. It costs from $162, is scheduled for 1 to 3 hours, offers a free rebooking, and has 4.94 points. It is not fixed here whether you take off in the highlands or closer to the coast; the weather decides.

When a flight from the Teide is possible

A flight from the highlands needs suitable conditions along the entire route. The wind at the take-off, the clouds on the slopes, and the air at the coast must all fit together. In the Canary Islands, the trade winds determine much of this; according to the Gobierno de Canarias, they come from the northeast and blow mainly in summer.4

For you this means above all: Expect that a flight may be rescheduled. Flights from a great height require more things to fit together than short flights over the coast. With the recommended flight you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before. Book it early in your holiday therefore.

If a flight from the highlands does not work out, a shorter flight in the south or north is a good alternative. That way you do not go home without a flight. And anyone who has already done a short flight in the south will already know exactly how take-off and landing feel when flying from the highlands, and can fully concentrate on the views.

For whom the flight from the highlands is worthwhile

The flight from the Teide is ideal for guests who want more than a short excursion. Anyone who can plan half a day, likes to get up early, and wants to see the island in all its diversity from above will love it. It is also the right choice if you have already flown tandem before and now want to experience something bigger.

It is less suitable if you have little time or are very sensitive to cold. Also, anyone who needs explanations in German should look closely: The flights from the highlands list English and Spanish as languages. In the south there are offers with German-speaking pilots, such as the flight on this website.

For families: The limits regarding age and weight are stated by each offer themselves, and they can differ. Check them carefully before booking. More about the requirements can be found on the dedicated page.

How to prepare for the long flight

The preparation is simple, but it makes a difference. Sleep well, eat a light breakfast, and drink enough, because the day is longer than for a flight in the south. Dress in layers: sportswear, and over it a jacket that you can wear at the take-off and take off at landing.

Closed shoes with a good grip are especially important at the highland take-off, because the ground is rocky and uneven. Sunglasses that stay in place and sunscreen protect you from the bright light at altitude. Everything you do not need stays in the car or with your companion. A small backpack is rather a hindrance at the take-off; ask your team if it goes to the landing site in the vehicle with them, so you will have everything together again after the flight.

And then: Enjoy it. A flight from the Teide down to the sea is an experience that will stay with you for a long time. Let yourself be drawn into the silence when the wing is above you and below you the island slowly changes from grey to green to blue.

Book flight

There is still room for you above the coast of Adeje.

Reserve your spot and pay later, and cancel for free up to 24 hours before if you do not fly.

You ask,we answer.

Can you fly a paraglider from the Teide?

Yes, from the Teide area. The most well-known take-off in the highlands is Izaña at 2,300 meters, with a direct view of the Teide.1

Where do the flights from the Teide land?

In Puerto de la Cruz or Güímar. From Izaña you go north or south, depending on the wind.1

How much does the flight from the Teide cost?

From $173. That is the price for the flight from the Teide to Puerto de la Cruz, which lasts 3 hours.

How high is the Teide?

3,715 meters. It is the highest mountain in Spain; the take-off is not at the summit but deeper in the highlands.2

Is there a flight to the sunset?

Yes. On the same route there is an evening variant from $196, with 3 reviews so far.

Will the briefing be in German?

According to the offer, no. The flights from the highlands list English and Spanish as languages.

What should I wear?

Layers and sturdy shoes. It is often cooler in the highlands than on the coast; bring a jacket even in summer.

Sources

Where the information comes from

  1. 1↩
  2. 2
    Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO) - Organismo Autónomo Parques NacionalesParque Nacional del Teide
    ↩
  3. 3
    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias • IACObservatorio del Teide
    ↩
  4. 4↩
Tenerife: Paragliding with Champion Pilots 4.9 (1,169) · Free cancellation Usually sells out 6 days ahead from$150 Check availabilityfrom $150 · pay later