The Teide nature reserve is the most visited attraction in Tenerife and the reason is that it is an unusual and special reserve in many ways and at the same time there are many activities you can do there.
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT TEIDE?
The huge landscape that looks like another star, the great height above sea level that reaches 3718 metres above sea level on a relatively small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
A view reminiscent of the surface of the moon: the sensation of visiting another planet.
The combination creates natural views and unique climatic and vegetation conditions that can only be found here in Tenerife and nowhere else in the world.
TAJINASTE ROJO – huge red stones – only on Tenerife. It flowers in May and June in spring.
The extremity is especially noticeable in the winter months, when the summit of Taida is covered with white snow and at a distance of only 50 km, in less than an hour’s drive you will find a sunny beach.
Snow on the summit of the Teide in the winter months together with pleasant sunshine.
One of the typical sights of Tenerife in general, and of the Teide reserve in particular, are the carpets of clouds at an altitude of 1000-1500 metres. When flying by plane, it often looks as if the mountain has a dress, for those who are on the mountain it looks like a huge carpet of clouds, and from above there is only a clear blue sky.
The typical cloud cover in the Teide reserve.
Add to all this the volcanic landscape and you get an out-of-this-world experience.
WHAT TO DO IN THE TEIDE PARK?
The highlight of the park is, of course, the climb to the peak of Teide. Most visitors take the cable car up the peak, whose starting point is at an altitude of 2200 metres and its highest point at 3555 metres. To reach the summit at an altitude of 3718 metres, you have to continue on foot and in this case you must have a special permit. It is possible to sleep in the hikers’ lodge (Alta-Vista) at an altitude of 3270 metres above sea level and get up early in the morning to see the sunrise from the summit. Good information about the place can be found at:
http://www.telefericoteide.com/altavista/refugio-altavista
In addition to the route to the summit, there are a multitude of hiking and mountain biking routes, two of which I have already written about in previous posts, and there are many more in different areas of the Teide reserve. The amount of options is very large and you can spend days just walking in different areas of the reserve and get a different climatic and scenic experience each time.
Another attraction within the Teide reserve is the observatory which, due to its location away from any light source during the night, offers especially good conditions for stargazing. You can find good information about the observatory at:
http://www.telefericoteide.com/es/tour-astronomico
In addition to attractions for visitors from outside the island, there are also several car parks in different areas of the Teide reserve, especially designed for locals. Generally, you will find there families who come to relax in nature and have picnics. In the car parks you will find facilities for barbecues and picnic tables, and only in these places is it allowed to light fires.
How do I get to the reserve?
There are plenty of buses that go up to the reserve every day, but it is better to go up and around the reserve with a private car or with a private tour and a guide. The reason for this is the flexibility and freedom to travel according to the desire, interests and needs of each traveller.
The journey to and within the park is an experience in itself. There are many special places that are difficult to find without learning and planning the route and therefore it is advisable to travel with a local guide who will also arrange transport to the reserve with ease.
WHEN TO VISIT TEIDE?
You can visit all year round, the best times are in winter and spring. It usually snows on the summit from the end of December to the beginning of March.
In summer it is less pleasant to walk in the park in the mountainous area and it is better to walk in the northern areas of the reserve, which are shadier and cooler.
