Lava flows, volcanic cones and black rock mountains comprise the Teide national park, the oldest of the Canary Isle parks.

At 3,719 metres, the Teide peak dominates the huge circle of Las Cañadas, a vast double basin formed by the collapse of several volcanoes. Within its cliff-like walls it offers a varied pattern of shapes, colours and volcanic relief forms. This extraordinary landscape of contrasts is one of the world's most spectacular geological monuments and recognised as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In the shadow of the Teide, a unique plant and animal world flourishes, with a high percentage of endemic plant species and numerous local invertebrate fauna.

A road runs through the park and a cable car leads to the summit which shows the effects of the erosion caused by over two thousand visitors annually: who could resist the pull of this wonder, which stands alone, like a ring, in the centre of the island?.