Montaña de los Tomillos and Montaña Negra Loop

The Komoot tour for this loop starts from El Portillo. While specific parking details for this combined route aren't provided, El Portillo is a common access point for trails in Teide National Park and typically offers parking facilities. It's advisable to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to secure a spot.

The terrain is varied and distinctly volcanic. Sections of the Montaña de los Tomillos trail feature pumice stone deposits and loose rocks, with a continuous ascent becoming steeper towards higher elevations. The Montaña Negra loop, in contrast, often has wide and relatively easy paths, but also traverses through bushes, forest lanes, and areas of black lava stone, creating an "almost black scree desert" in places. Joggers should be prepared for uneven surfaces.

This route offers several notable sights. You'll experience a Nice climb in the wood, the striking volcanic cone of Montaña Negra, and a View of Mount Teide from the base. You can also see the unique Teide Eggs and enjoy sections of Donwhill flying.

Given its "difficult" rating, this combined loop is generally not recommended for beginners. The Montaña de los Tomillos section involves a continuous uphill climb with significant altitude gain, reaching around 2,531 meters. While the Montaña Negra loop is often considered easy to moderate, the overall route requires good physical conditioning and experience with varied volcanic terrain.

The best time to jog this loop is typically during the spring and autumn months when temperatures are milder. At higher elevations, especially on Montaña de los Tomillos, strong winds and lower temperatures can be expected. Summer can be very hot, while winter might bring colder conditions and even snow at altitude. Always check the weather forecast for Teide National Park before heading out.

As this trail is located within Teide National Park, specific regulations apply. Generally, dogs are not permitted on trails within the national park to protect the fragile ecosystem and wildlife. It's always best to verify the latest regulations directly with the park authorities before planning your visit with a dog.

There is no entrance fee to Teide National Park itself, nor is a general permit required for jogging this specific loop. However, permits are required for climbing to the very summit of Mount Teide (Pico del Teide). This route does not go to the summit, so a summit permit is not needed. Always be aware of and respect the park's conservation rules.

You'll encounter characteristic high-altitude plant life. Look for Teide sticky broom (codeso) and Teide white broom (retama). At higher elevations, where vegetation is sparser due to strong winds, you might be lucky enough to spot the Teide violet, a botanical jewel of the Teide National Park.

Yes, the route utilizes sections of several official trails. Notably, it covers parts of the Montaña de Los Tomillos trail (35% of the route) and the Montaña Negra trail (20%). You'll also traverse smaller sections of trails like Playa de El Socorro - Pico del Teide, Lomo Hurtado, and La Fortaleza, among others.

For nature conservation reasons, climbing the Montaña Negra volcano itself is not permitted. The loop circles its base, allowing you to appreciate its striking dark colors and reddish edges from various perspectives without disturbing the protected volcanic cone.

Given the trail's difficulty and varied terrain, you should bring plenty of water, appropriate jogging shoes with good grip, layers of clothing to adapt to changing temperatures and winds, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), and snacks. A map or GPS device is also recommended, as is a fully charged phone for emergencies.