TEIDE NATIONAL PARK TENERIFE

The Guanche name for Pico del Teide, the immense volcano rising at the heart of the island, was 'Tenerife'. For them, the mountain was the island, though in geological terms that's only partly correct. It was the emergence of this volcano, along with the Anaga and Teno ranges, that created Tenerife and subsequently shaped the island's terrain and dominated its natural and cultural development.

While the northern fringes of the island are fertile and inhabited, the landscape around Pico del Teide remains harsh and unyielding. In particular, the area within the Caldera de las Canadas, the remnants of a far bigger volcano whose eroded walls enclose Pico del Teide, is an awesome combination of rock and dust. In 1954 the surroundings of Pico del Teide were made a national park, its boundaries roughly following the borders of the caldera. Covering 189sq km, the whole park lies above the 2,000m contour. It is strictly protected from any development.

The park can be visited by car, by coach or by bike or on foot on numerous smaller tracks and paths. A cable car runs up Pico del Tiede to a point 163m below the summit.

The visitor centre at the high EI Portillo pass, east of Pico del Teide on the park through road, provides an introduction to the national park. An exhibition and video explains the volcanoes and there is a garden of local flora. For walkers detailed maps of the park are available and excellent free guided walks set out from here (reserve a place by telephoning at least a day ahead). The parador too has a small visitor centre and an exhibition.