It is possible that you already have a rough idea of what you can see in the Teide National Park. You know that it is the highest peak in Spain, that because of its scenic beauty it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO a few years ago and, well, that you will be amazed.

You’ve never heard anyone say otherwise. Everyone says it is a unique experience. And that happens because it’s true.

The Teide National Park is one of those nature’s treasures that will leave you with your mouth open. You will literally feel that you have changed the planet without realizing it. No matter where you turn your head, everything you see will be more spectacular than the previous one.

But regardless of the vague concept you may have of what you will find, regardless of knowing that you will love it and that you will be captivated by the visit, there will be pictures that will surprise you beyond what was expected, which cannot be explained. Its beauty, simply, is lived and felt.

A dream landscape

The geological wealth of the Teide National Park is truly breathtaking: craters, cones, sharp and steep shapes in contrast to large depressions…

And you can enjoy that wealth through more than twenty routes, all suitable for hiking if you are fairly fit.

Depending on the time you have you can choose one or the other, but with all of them you can see the enormous variety of landscapes in the area and learn about the formations and materials thanks to the information panels scattered throughout the Park, all perfectly explained.

You cannot miss:

• The Llano de Ucanca, a must because it is one of the places that will make you feel you have traveled outside of the Earth. Really, it is a valley that seems taken from another planet. Spectacular.

• The Roques de García, rock formations with very curious silhouettes typical of the Teide National Park.

• The Siete Cañadas, a route that concentrates a large part of the landscape, geological, biological and even archaeological wealth of the area.

• The Fortaleza, which allows you to contemplate the most homogeneous part of the Teide volcanic cone, a hillside with a great slope whose end takes place at some point in the depths of the Atlantic.

• The different viewpoints located in several points of the Park, such as the Tabonal Negro or the Pico Viejo.

The top of Spain

One of the activities that you cannot miss is climbing the peak of Teide. It is one of those experiences that leave you breathless, and not just literally.

You surely notice some startle in your breathing, because of the altitude and because climbing to the top requires some effort. But the reward is too great for you to create any doubt on the way. Climb and you’ll see.

And in case you don’t want to walk, you can also do it by cable car, which will leave you about 8 minutes from the peak.

Depending on your plan, there is also the option to spend the night in Altavista Refuge, at an altitude of 3200 meters, and see the magical sunrise from the top of Spain.

A starry night

If you like astronomy, you should know that the Teide sky is one of the best for gazing at the stars. Being so far from the light pollution of the towns and cities of the island, due to its high altitude, the sky is clear, in all its glory.

It is an area with few clouds, so the chances of having good visibility are very high, and the only thing necessary to enjoy the evening is warm clothing and a careful and curious look.

And if you don’t want to spend just one night in the Teide, without knowing very well what you are seeing up there, the guided tours for this activity are also available. Both the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide and the Cable Car offer you excursions with a guide who will discover all the secrets of the spectacular night sky of the Canary Islands.

The sea of clouds

Amazing. This is the sea of clouds that, with a bit of luck, you can admire from the Teide National Park or in its surroundings (on your ascent or descent to the summit). The trade winds, with which all the islanders are very familiar, drag the clouds towards the mountainous slopes of the northern part and generate what to our eyes seems like a calm sea made of cottons.

This natural phenomenon does not necessarily occur every day, so being able to see it is a matter of luck. But if you have the privilege, rest assured that you will be left speechless with the experience.

Unique fauna and flora in the world

Yes. Because in the Teide National Park there are numerous endemic species that, due to their condition, you will not be able to find anywhere else even if you go around the world.

If you are passionate about animals, you will enjoy watching the Gallot’s lizard absorbing the morning sunlight or watching the Tenerife blue chaffinch flying over the area. Bats (there are up to five different species) and insects also abound. And these are just some of the endless animals that you can see in your visit, none of a dangerous nature.

It is amazing to see how the aridity of the Park allows the growth of vegetation, and the truth is that its flora is very rich and varied. The Teide broom and violet and the tajinastes (an authentic explosion of color when they are blossoming) are some of the most significant species.

Let there be two, or three, or …

To be amazed you just have to visit the Teide National Park once, but to get to know it, to enjoy it and squeeze every corner, every rock, all its colors… for that you must climb to the summit of Tenerife whenever you can .

A trip to the island? Let there be two, or three, or …