The Teide Natural Park  Central Tenerife

Teide was first declared a national park in 1954, and the Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide includes a massive volcanic rock crater, which is nearly 50km in circumference. Mount Teide rises out of this  at a staggering 3,700m, and is the highest peak in Spanish territory.

The park itself lies around 2,000 metres above sea level and in winter, snow falls, gales blow and the roads are often closed to traffic. During summer, the barren surroundings resemble a wild west landscape, and temperatures can peak at over 40ºC.

Access to the extinct volcano is either by foot or by cable car, which goes up to the summit. If you want to visit Mount Teide, make sure you go on a clear day, and make the most of the incredible views over Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Just 90 minutes from the beach, Mount Teide is the most visited tourist attraction in Tenerife, and tours can include barbecues and lunch. If you want to view Mount Teide in all its glory, take a hot air balloon trip over the park, which will also give you a fantastic view of the island and surrounding countryside. If you plan to walk up Mount Teide, you can go as far as two viewpoints, with a connecting pass that will take you by cable car to the summit. All precautions are taken to protect the natural environment of the park, and you can learn more about the natural conservation plans from your tour guide or from a tourist information office in Tenerife.