At a height of 3,718 metres, the summit or crater of this enormous volcano is the
highest point not only of the Canary Isles, but also of the whole Iberian Peninsular.
On 22nd January 1954 it was declared a National Park, and its 130 sq.km. extend through
the municipalities of La Orotava, Guia de Isora, Santiago de Teide and Icod de los
Vinos. In 1998 its 3,500,000 visitors outnumbered those of any other National Park
in Spain. Mount Teide can be reached from Los Cristianos, or any other part of the
island, although the most usual, practical route begins in La Orotava. This way we
will pass through the fish hatchery at Aguamansa and go past different miradors,
from which, on a clear day, we will be able to admire the lower-lying part of the
island. At a height of 2,000 to 2,500 metres, the abundant vegetation we have been
through gives way to the lava landscape characteristic of Las Cafladas, and in the
centre, called Circo de las Cafladas, the impressive mass of the Teide peak rises
up, surrounded by mountains of considerable height, such as El Cabezon, Guajara,
El Roque de las Grietas and Montana Colorada. At the foot of Montana Blanca there
is an access route climbing the Teide and continuing to Altavista mountain inn ,
but it is more advisable to use the modern cable-car, which will take us up to within
just 200 metres of the summit. From this point we can venture to the very mouth of
the Teide and inhale the sulphuric fumes which, although inoffensive, are proof that
there is still volcanic activity, the last eruption being about 25 years ago. Height
of 3,100 metres, the old peak was formed by eruptions end of the 19th century, which
also moulded the surviving lunar landscape, which Pico Cabras stands out on the lower
part of the Teide, Height of about 2,330 metres.
Tenerife’s landscape is awesome and despite covering only 2036 square kilometres
it boasts many volcanoes including
Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain at 3718 metres, which is 40% of the height
Mount Everest.
