The main part of Teide National Park is situated inside the caldera of the Las Canadas volcano that violently exploded and collapsed 200.000 years ago.

The jagged rim of this ancient caldera is still very visible in the southern part of the park.

 

Several volcanoes have formed and subsequently exploded since, burying the northern caldera rim in thick lava layers.

Presently the park sports two active volcanoes, El Teide and Pico Viejo, with the summit of El Teide peaking at 3718 m.

The last major eruption was in 1906 but fumaroles emanating from the top suggest there is something broiling deep inside...

 

Flora and fauna have adapted to the arid conditions in the park and you may spot Atlantic canaries and endemic lizards.

 

But the 4 million visitors per year mostly come here for the fantastic scenery of weirdly looking rock formations like Los Roques de Garcia and the balancing act of colorful  Roque Cinchado. And always there is El Teide in the background.

Weather permitting, a cable car brings you to an elevation of 3555 m for a spectacular overview.

 

We visited the park in February 2013