TEIDE NATIONAL PARK

Teide National Park is the best example of a high-altitude volcanic ecosystem in the whole archipelago. It also includes endangered habitats such as those found in the rocks, water, underground, etc. that due to their layout and altitude are annually affected by more or less intense snowfalls. These snowfalls contribute to maintaining vital ecological processes such as the replenishment of the aquifers.

The Teide was the third Spanish area being declared National Park recognising its unique volcanic and biological importance. Its original size of 11,000 ha was changed into 13,571 in 1981, becoming like this the Canary Island's largest National Park. It is located in the gigantic primitive crater, formed like a "caldera". With its diameter of 16 km it can be considered one of the world's biggest crater. Just in the center of the Cañadas, the "Pico del Teide", with its 3.718 metres, is the highest peak in Spain. In 1989, the park was granted the Diploma of the Council of Europe, which was updated in 1994 and 1999.

The whole countryside on the slopes of the Teide mass is purely volcanic. Huge extensions of "Bad Lands" cover these high-lying lands like a carpet. During the winter months, the peak of El Teide is covered with snow which sometimes reaches down to the slope of the mountainside.

The unique flora in the park, includes numerous species of which approximately ten are in danger of extinction. Despite the inhospitable character of the land, there is a varied wealth of countless plants which grow in the shade of El Teide and have adapted perfectly to the height, the low temperatures and persistent drought. On the cliffs grow the twisted, complicated Canary cedars which in the company of the occasional old Canary pine tree belong to the few trees in the park. The most typical and common plant is the Teide broom which has a huge number of pinkish white flowers in spring, attracting swarms of island bees. Another native species called tajinaste rojo grows in colonies of varying size. It is especially outstanding because it may grow to a height of 2 metres and its flowers form a distinct pattern. Other species in the park include codeso with yellow flowers, the El Teide herb with blue flowers, el alhelí de las Cañadas, a type of wallflower with pinkish, lilac flowers, la hierba pajonera with intensely yellow flowers, the El Teide violet and daisy. An area which is especially rich in flora is La Cañada de Diego Hernández, which is in itself a real botanical garden.

The fauna in the park is comparatively reduced. A lizard variety, lagarto tizón is the most common species in these volcanic lands. The rabbit is also frequently found in Las Cañadas. The birds of prey in the park are red kite, falcon and sparrowhawk. Their most common prey is the rock dove. The most beautiful bird of the National Park is perhaps the Teide finch with its pretty blue plumage. Among the invertebrates, there are species which only live in this area and of which very few are known.

How to reach the Park

The Park can be reached from anywhere on the island since it lies practically in its centre.

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one should travel via La Laguna (9 km) and take the road C-824 from La Laguna to El Portillo de la Villa, which divides the island in two (43 km). On the way up, the scenery is impressive, especially the large pine forests. The first stop should be the observation platform called 'Mirador de Ortuño', from where large extensions of lovely pine forests can be seen. Further up lies the Mirador de las Cumbres, from where over a third of the island is visible. At this point, the majestic Teide peak comes into view. Before entering the park, one reaches the visitors' centre of the National Park on the left-hand side. The visit is worth it because in the twenty minutes which it lasts it is perfectly possible to learn everything about it and watch a spectacular video.

In the north, the road C-821 which runs from La Orotava to Las Cañadas (29 km) is also very beautiful and leads directly to the tourist area of El Puerto de la Cruz.

These two itineraries should be used, one on the way up and the other on the return. In the south, the road C-821 from from Las Cañadas (Boca de Tauce) to Vilaflor (16 km) connects with Las Américas Beach and Los Cristianos Beach (39 km) as well as the international Reina Sofía Airport. In the west, the road C-823 from Las Cañadas (Boca de Tauce) to Chío (30 km) reaches the tourist centre of Los Gigantes (42 km) at the foot of Teno Massif.

Advice of interest to visitors

• There is a cable car which runs from sunrise until 4 pm. It starts at the foot of the Teide (2,356m) and reaches La Rambleta (3,555m) in eight minutes. From there it is a 25-minute walk to the edge of the crater. Despite the short way, stout shoes are advisible. With snow in winter, the ascent is slightly more difficult.
• Those wishing to climb the Teide without using the cable car can use a path which leads from the foot of Montaña Blanca to the top. In La Rambleta, there is the refuge hut of Altavista with about forty beds.
• Near the Parador, in Cañada Blanca, there is a picnic area including all the facilities for those who bring their food.
• It is difficult to walk on solidified lava. It is therefore advisable to use the established paths for walking in the Park.
• The Park can be visited at any time of the year, but it is most spectacular in May and June when the plants are in bloom.
• It is forbidden to take volcanic fragments away or to pick flowers inside the park.
• It is advisable to check with the visitors' centre because in a few minutes one receives all the information necessary about this National Park.

Since the Park is one of those with the largest number of visitors, it is also more gravely at risk. Visitors should keep everything clean on their visit, especially the Teide summit and wherever one stops to eat.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)