Nature Parks in South of Spain. Tenerife
The Volcano’s Island.
El Teide National Park offers a fascinating landscape created by the forces of the Teide volcano. Christopher Columbus observed its last great eruption in 1492 from the nearby island of Gomera just before he set out on his voyage of discovery to America. In 1798 there was another smaller eruption. Some 12 million cubic metres of volcanic material has accumulated around the volcano, creating what are popularly known as the noses of Teide. At 3,718 metres, the Teide is not only the highest mountain in Spain, but also the highest elevation overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Volcano Safari
A cable-car takes visitors up to 3,600 metres. From there you can climb to the peak on foot. On clear days there is a fantastic view from the summit. But equally impressive is the volcano’s immense crater, with its circumference of approximately 80 kilometres. You can arrange to explore it, free of charge, if you contact the Park Authority in advance. You will be taken into the crater, first in a cross-country vehicle, and then on foot, until you reach volcanically active areas.
Many smaller Volcanos.
The whole area around Teide is full with several smaller volcanos, including Mount Rajada (2,509 metres) and Mount Chahorra (2,995 metres).
Next to El Teide a large flat plain called Cañadas was used by the island’s original population, the Guanches, as pastureland. Today it is covered with petrified lava in bizarre shapes, such as the Roques de García, and there are several caves, including the Cueva del Hielo and the Cueva de los Cazadores.
There are some extremely rare species of plants here, including the Guanche Rose, of which there are only some fifty specimens anywhere in the world, and the Teide Violet. Rare animals include lizards.
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