Tenerife is an island of extraordinary natural landscapes. In many ways, the fiery volcanoes of the island reflect the fiery and vibrant culture of the people that live there. This short article aims to introduce you to the wonders of Tenerife’s natural scenery. On this journey, we will encounter enormous mountains, green swooping valleys and imposing volcanoes.
Los Gigantes
Literally meaning “The Giants”, this mountain range does not fail to deliver on its foreboding name. Los Gigantes protrude proudly from the ocean floor to provide a simply stunning coastline. At 800 metres tall these cliffs dwarf the tiny villages scattered along the ridge. The best way for visitors to enjoy the view is to rent a boat or take a guided tour of the coastline. Once on board, tourists can take a better look at the dramatic nature of the scenery and even take a dive into the crystal clear waters. The more intrepid explorers amongst you can also delight in finding sheltered coves and inlets along the coastline.
Teide National Park and Volcano
Perhaps surprisingly, the highest mountain in Spanish territory does not reside on its vast mainland, but on the much smaller landmass of Tenerife. The imposing Teide volcano is visible from everywhere on the island, making it a central part of its identity. The snow-capped national park is easily reachable by road. Impressively, a cable car is also available to get visitors even further up the mountain. The park is serviced by two well-organized visitor centres where tourists can expect to be educated in the fascinating world of lava flows, vents and mineral deposits. This is the oldest national park in the Canary Islands and is well worth a full day out to explore it to the full.
Anaga
This seven million-year-old landscape is an astonishing area of northeast Tenerife. The lush greenery is home to a fascinating array of 120 local species. Simply driving through the winding roads that meander between sea and mountain makes for an amazing trip out. If you’re eager to get out of the car then you’ll be pleased to hear that the hiking trails of the region are of a fantastic quality. There is a range of difficulties to choose from, which suit all abilities from beginner to experienced ramblers. The landscape is truly diverse: many areas are dry and sunny whilst an oasis of green lies hidden in many of the mountain valleys.
How to Get There
Tenerife has gained itself a reputation as a fly and flop destination in recent years but the central feature of the island for many is still its fantastic natural landscape. You can get there by plane from the UK in around 4.5 hours if you fly into the largest airport on Tenerife. Transfers, both shared and private, can be pre-booked to whisk you onwards to your accommodation – it’s the most tranquil way to kick-start your much-needed ecological escape.
Martin Wynn
Priya
