Tenerife - Del Teide National Park

Teide National Park, Tenerife Pico del Teide is the highest peak in Spain and the tallest volcano in Europe, culminating at 3718 m. Carlos Rodrigues

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In the centre of Tenerife, the Teide National Park, (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007) hides a little gem: Las Cañadas. Las Cañadas is a 10 mile wide volcano on top of which looms the Pico del Teide, the highest summit in Spain at 12,200 ft and whose last eruption was recorded in 1798. Various wild flowers grow here, including the Teide bugloss, an endemic and rare cone-shaped plant that can grow as tall as 6 ft. The tourist facilities are limited to a recently renovated hotel, tourist office and cable car. The latter, which was built in 1971, will take you to the viewpoint in 8 minutes from where (weather permitting), you can admire the entire archipelago. However, it is quite expensive: 22 euros (£17) return per person. It almost feels like a ski resort when you see the long queue of tourists at the entrance; all that's missing are the skis! Special permission is required however, to climb the last 650 ft up to the summit. You have to make a request a week in advance at the park administration office located in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.