Teide is noted for its large number of endemic plants, 33 are endemic only
to Tenerife and 12 species are found exclusively in the National Park. Teide
National Park has unique vegetation that has fully adapted to the tough living
conditions of high altitude and extreme temperatures. Forests of Canary Island
Pine (Pinus canariensis) and Canary Island cedar (Juniperus cedrus) cover
the middle slopes of the volcano. They grow from 1000-2100 m, and The Canary
Island Pine is one of the most fire-resistant tree in the world.
Watch
our video of the trip to Teide »
Teide
Teide is the highest mountain in Spain, 3718 m above sea level, and approx
7500 m above the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. It's the third largest volcano
on Earth on a volcanic ocean island. Tenerife's volcanic formation started
to develop itself in the ocean bottom 20-50 million years ago.
Teide and its sister stratovolcano Pico Viejo (3134 m) are the top peaks of
the volcano. The volcano and its surroundings, including the whole of the
Las Cañadas caldera, are protected in a national park, the Parque Nacional
del Teide. Teide National Park was declared as
World
Heritage site by the UNESCO in summer 2007.
Teide has a crater 80 m in diameter, but Pico Viejo's is even larger. Teide
is currently dormant volcano and a series of small tremors were recorded in
2004, and it's seismic activity is very closely observed and studied by national
and international institutes. The summit has a number of small active fumaroles
emitting hot sulphur dioxide and other gases.
Teide is considered to be the 13th most dangerous volcano in the world due
to its proximity to several major towns and cities. A cable car (Teleférico Teide) goes from the roadside at 2,356 m to
3,555 m. Access to the summit itself is restricted; a free permit is required
to climb the last 200 m.