National park in Spanje: Teide National Park

Teide National Park

Rock formations in the Teide National Park
Rock formations in the Teide National Park
Rock formations against the backdrop of the Teide
Rock formations in the Teide National Park
Landscape in the Teide National Park
View of the Teide
Landscape in the Teide National Park
Landscape in the Teide National Park © Turismo de Canarias
View of the Teide © Turismo de Canarias

Contactgegevens

Park offices (Tenerife)
teide.maot@gobiernodecanarias.org
http://www.magrama.gob.es/es/red-parques-nacionales/nuestros-parques/teide/
Tel.:+34 922922371
Fax.:+34 922244788

Lokalisatie

Werelderfgoed, door de UNESCO afgegeven certificering.

Beschrijving

The largest and oldest of the Canary Islands' parks

Its landscape revolves around the largest volcano in Spain: the Teide, which last erupted in 1798. The volcanic cones and the lava outcrops form an extraordinary conjunction of colours and shapes, and are home to a wide diversity of flora of great biological value.

The Teide National Park was created in 1954 in order to protect this spectacular landscape of great ecological value which lies at the foot of the colossal volcano. The Teide is the volcanic formation located on an ancient and gigantic cauldron-shaped depression, formed by two semi-calderas separated by the Roques de García rock formations. Plant and animal species that are unique in the world live in the shadow of the Teide. There is an astonishing diversity of plants: Teide broom, red echium, blue echium, the guanche rose (Bencomia extipulata), flixweed, rosalillo de cumbre (Pterocephalus lasiospermus), silver thistle (Stemmacantha cynaroides)... The most important species in the park are the invertebrates. Over 700 types of insects have been recorded, of which 50% are endemic to the area. There are some species of reptiles (such as the Tenerife lizard) and birds (Egyptian vulture, sparrowhawks, lesser kestrels, red kite), and a few mammals, the most common of which are the mouflon, rabbits and five species of bat.

Gemeenten

Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Adeje, Arico, Fasnia, Garachico, Granadilla de Abona, Guancha, La, Guía de Isora, Güímar, Icod de los Vinos, Orotava, La, Realejos, Los, San Juan de la Rambla, Santiago del Teide, Vilaflor

Lokalisatie

It is situated in the heart of the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands

Soort gebied: National park
Oppervlakte: 18.990 hectaren

Wat kun je doen

Educational options
Routes around the Park
Mountaineering
Guided tours

Kaart

Toegangen en omgeving

Culturele informatie

The island of Tenerife is one of Spain's most important tourist destinations. Its appeal lies in the excellent climate, its beaches, the Teide, and a wide variety of cultural attractions. One of the best times to visit the islands is in February when the Carnival festivities take place. The rest of the year you can find crowded and festive pilgrimages: San Isidro, in La Orotava; San Benito; in La Laguna; and San Roque, in Garachico. Regarding the gastronomy, traditional honey extraction is an important activity in the heart of the park, in the Las Cañadas area.

Milieu-informatie

The primary interest of this national park is its flora, as it has 212 species of plants, of which 58 are endemic to the Canary Islands. One of these natural treasures is the Teide violet, which has the honour of being the highest flowering species in the whole of Spain. The park also stands out because of its volcanic landscape, and as a place for stargazing.

Bezoekinformatie

There are two public bus routes: number 348, from Puerto de la Cruz, and number 342, from Playa de las Américas. There is a cable car that affords spectacular views, although it does not take you right to the top: you must walk the last stretch. A special permit is required to go to the highest cone on the summit of the Teide. For more information, check the Visitor Centres on this page. More access information.