Teide National Park in Tenerife
We have close by us one of the greatest treasures of Spain. The Teide National Park (Las Cañadas). It includes the highest mountain in Spain and one of the highest volcanoes in the world. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. If you look at it from a distance you will appreciate the dimensions of this volcano, which is bathed by a sea of cloud that forms on its slopes. The road to the base of the volcano is really impressive. You can easily see the volcanic nature of the island, with its reddish coloured ancient rocks leading to the black volcanic rocks with a greenish tinge.
Close to the Parador de las Cañadas del Teide you have a magnificent view of the volcano, as well as numerous rock outcrops formed during the volcanic activity. If you wish to climb to the summit you must be prepared for the reduction of air pressure (oxygen pressure) because even at the base of the volcano you will notice the difference. As well as the cable car, there is a trail you can walk up if you are really fit. From the summit you can look down at the circle of cloud around its slope and you get a really good view of the mountain road and surrounding landscapes On a good day from the summit you can see all of the other islands in the Canarias archipelago. A must-visit for anyone who is on the island.
During the trip through the Cañadas, there are several viewpoints, where you can enjoy the scenery including the Canarias pine.
How to get to Teide National Park
Mount Teide National Park has four access roads from different points on the island.
By Car
From the North, the TF-21 road from La Orotava to Teide National Park is 35 km, and takes about 55 minutes.
From the East, the TF-24 road, runs from La Laguna to El Portillo de la Villa then joins the TF-21 to Teide National Park, 58 km about 1 hour and 23 minute.
From the South the TF-21 road runs from Vilaflor to Teide National Park 25 km about 29 minutes.
From the West the TF-38 road runs from Chio until it joins TF-21 then from there to Teide National Park 38 km about 40 minutes.
By Bus
There are two Titsa bus routes covering El Teide. Bus number 348 from Puerto de la Cruz and bus number 342 from Playa de las Americas.
Cable car service
The Teide cable car in Las Canadas del Teide National Park is open daily from 09:00 till 16:00. The last car going up at 16:00 and last decent is at 16:50.
There is a restaurant buffet near the cable car office where the cable car departs. Each cable car takes up to 35 people the trip takes about 10 minutes along its 2.50 kilometers.
On a good day, if the weather and visibility is permitting, you can easily see the neighboring islands of La Palma , La Gomera and El Hierro.
From almost any point in the Teide National Park you can see the cable car. If you want to go to the summit of Teide, you need to apply for a free permit granted by the National Park Administration. This permit can be downloaded online click here. This permit must be obtained in advance to ensure your place.
Cable car prices
Adult resident: 13.50 €
Non-resident adult: 27 €
Child resident: 9.50 €
Child non-resident: 13.50 €
Recommendations:
We do not recommended people with cardiovascular or lung problems, pregnant women or children under 2 years old, due to risk of health caused by the altitude. Please check with a doctor before planning a visit.
Teide Altavista refuge
The Altavista Refuge is located in the Teide National Park. It was built in 1856 by the Scottish astronomer Charles Piazzi Smyth, to locate observation instruments, supplies and a quartermaster, protecting them from inclement weather. This simple and fragile construction was extended and reinforced by British Scientists in 1892, and after further reforms, consists of two buildings. The main building has a living room with fireplace, kitchen, four rooms with seven bunks each and common toilets. Each room has its own stove. The capacity of the refuge is 60 people. A second building serves as a warehouse. This shelter belongs to the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife since 1950. The latest amendments were made in 2007. It now has Wi-Fi available, vending machines serving soft drinks.
To spend the night at the Teide Altavista refuge you have to access the website of the Teide National Park and apply for a permit; after paying the fee of 25€ per person for one night.
Those who spend the night in the Altavista Refuge can access the Teide Peak (Pico del Teide) without having to apply for a permit, since the initial request for overnight stay is also includes the climb to the peak. Leaving time is at 9am.
To reach this installation you have two options. The first option is by getting the cable car, before 17.00 hours, then walking down to the Teide Altavista refuge. The walk from La Rambleta to the refuge takes about one hour. The second option is to walk up using the Montaña Blanca path, located at kilometer 40.4 on the highway TF - 21, at 2,379 meters above sea level; the path is about 7 kms long and continually rising.
You must remember that the Cable Car closes at 17.00 hours. For weather reasons, this schedule is subject to change.
Overnight schedule runs from 17.00 on day of arrival until 09.00 am the following day. Payment of the fee entitles the use of the kitchen, bedding, toilets and accommodation.
Parador Hotel Cañadas del Teide - Hotel Parador
The Parador Hotel Canadas del Teide is a large hotel, camouflaged among the landscape. It has a breathtaking panoramic view over the cone of the volcano, the Caldera and the White Mountain Cahorra. The air here is clean and fresh. The sea of clouds below makes this an idyllic resting place. The sky above has the stars for you to discover during astronomical observations offered by the Parador.
The hostel boasts stunning views to the summit of Mount Teide. It has a swimming pool and a terrace surrounded by nature, with an exceptional setting. Inside, the traditional fire and chimney of a mountain house warms and illuminates a spacious lounge.
The hotel is in the heart of the Teide National Park; here you can visit archaeological sites, hike and marvel at the many different landscapes you can see. If you love science, it is worth knowing that in this area of the Island of Eternal Spring, the environmental and geological conditions are similar to those of Planet Mars. It is easy to meet scientific expeditions in the area.
In no time at all you can spend time on the highest peak of any landmass of the Atlantic, then jump into the ocean waters for a swim or scuba dive, or just lie in the sun on its beaches.
Mount Teide Observatory in Tenerife
The study of Astrophysics, from the Observatory, started in the Canary Islands in the early sixties. The Observatory, in the area Izaña (Tenerife), is 2,390 m above sea level. It was the first telescope to study zodiacal light, light scattered by interplanetary matter, which begun in 1964
Its geographical situation (between the solar observatories in Europe in the east and the USA in the west), together with the transparency and excellent astronomical quality of the sky, has contributed to the Observatorio del Teide being the number one choice in Europe to study the Sun.
The Residence of the Observatorio del Teide, in operation since January 1990, consists of a number of facilities including day and night bedrooms, kitchen and dining room, reception, lounges and games rooms, garages, transformer station, generator and solar panels. This is to provide a comfortable environment for all the scientists and technical personnel.
In order to increase awareness, The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, organizes group visits and also they visit schools so that astronomical knowledge can reach everyone. The Observatorio del Teide has a visitor center with a capacity of about forty. It is used to explain to adults and schoolchildren how an observatory works, including telescopes and the information management.
The Canary Islands are one of the three most important areas in the world to observe earth atmosphere. Along with Chile and Hawaii these skies are certified by the Starlight Foundation, which certifies that they have skies of the highest quality for observations.
The Teide observatory is in the Izaña area in the Teide National Park.
There is a guided tour, of one of the largest solar observatory in the world, where you can get to know the activities there and the research workers who man the telescopes.
The tours are conducted in the Spanish language on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:00 and at 14:00. The tour does not include transport to the observatory, so visitors are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
Location : Tenerife (Canary Islands / Spain)
Extension: 50 hectares
Altitude: 2,390 metres
Geographical coordinates:
Longitude : 16º 30 ' 35" West
Latitude : 28º 18' 00 " North
Teide observatory (Tenerife)
Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands
Tel +34 922 329 110
Teide by night excursion
Experience the nightfall sunset, followed by stargazing high above sea level in Mount Teide National Park.
The Teide By Night Excursion is by bus, picking you up from your hotel and taking you up Mount Teide. It stops off in various areas for taking photos and enjoying the view. Then with a toast with sparkly cava, watch the sun set and the stars come out to fill the sky, letting you see the Milky Way in its full splendor. An astronomer will name and point out the constellations for you and map out the sky. Later, you will be welcomed to a top class delicious dinner.
