El Teide - Tenerife

Mount Teide is not only the highest peak in Tenerife, but also in all of Spain , with a height of 3,718 meters above sea level. Rising 7,500 meters above the ocean floor, it is the third tallest volcanic structure in the world.

Although not currently active, Mount Teide is considered an active volcano due to its recent eruptive history, with the last significant eruption occurring in 1909. The landscape surrounding Mount Teide is often compared to that of the moon due to its volcanic origins and rugged, rocky characteristics. The indigenous Guanche people considered Mount Teide a sacred mountain.

The Teide and the surrounding area, including the Teide National Park, have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for their natural and geological value.

Due to its height and minimal light pollution, Teide is an excellent location for stargazing. It is even home to an observatory, the Observatorio del Teide, which promotes scientific research and astronomy. Several tour operators offer evening and night tours to specific viewpoints in the park, where you can enjoy unobstructed views of the starry sky and use professional telescopes to zoom in deeper on celestial bodies.

In addition to nighttime observations, Mount Teide also offers spectacular sunrises and sunsets due to its elevated position above the surrounding clouds, resulting in a breathtaking display of colors in the sky.

The cable car to Mount Teide is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tenerife. With a permit you can hike to the top. A common trip is to hike to the Refugio de Altavista del Teide , spend the night there to admire the starry sky and then hike to the top in the morning for the spectacular sunrise.

Willem Vandenameele