Las Cañadas del Teide: Volcanic Landscape and Caldera

Las Cañadas del Teide is a vast volcanic depression formed from an ancient caldera, with a circumference of about 45 kilometres. In Teide National Park, the rugged escarpment of Las Cañadas and the Teide–Pico Viejo stratovolcano define the volcanic landscape. The basin consists of two semi-calderas, separated by the rocky formation of Roques de García. Here, you’ll encounter caldera walls, plains and distinctive rock formations.

Caldera, Plains and Viewpoints

Llano de Ucanca is the largest cañada in Teide National Park. From there, you can enjoy views of Teide, Pico Viejo, Roques de García and the basalt rock La Catedral. It rises almost vertically 144 metres above the plain. At the Narices del Teide viewpoint, you can look out over the 1798 eruption on the slope of Pico Viejo; it was the last volcanic eruption within the national park. Zapatilla de la Reina is a viewpoint by a striking geological rock formation shaped by erosion.

The view of the crater at Pico Viejo is another highlight: from the viewpoint by the crater, you can see into the opening at close range; it is about 800 metres wide and around 200 metres deep. The different viewpoints direct your gaze to diverse features of the volcanic landscape—from the broad plain to the crater and individual rocks shaped by erosion.

Hiking Trails and Getting There

The network of trails in Teide National Park comprises 37 hiking trails with a total length of more than 155 kilometres. The Montaña Blanca–La Rambleta trail crosses young black lava flows and passes volcanic accretion balls known as “Los Huevos del Teide.” Along the Telesforo Bravo trail, endemic Teide Borriza plants grow around the fumaroles, where they are associated with moisture and warmth. An accessible section of the Roques de García trail runs for just over 200 metres to a spot with views of Roque Cinchado, the Roques de García rock formation, Teide and the wall of the basin.

Siete Cañadas is a section of the pre-Hispanic Camino de Chasna and runs along the foot of the eastern wall of the Las Cañadas caldera. There are bus stops at Portillo and the Parador Nacional, so you can connect the trail with bus transport at either end. Check the latest timetable before your trip. You can reach Teide National Park by bus from Puerto de la Cruz on route 348 and from Costa Adeje on route 342; here, too, you should check routes and timetables in advance.

The Teleférico del Teide has a base station and a mountain station at La Rambleta, at an altitude of 3,555 metres. Check operating conditions before your visit. The trails to Mirador de La Fortaleza and Mirador de Pico Viejo are freely accessible and offer panoramic views of Tenerife’s northern and southern sides, respectively. Check operating conditions and access rules before your visit.

Nature and Cultural History

Las Cañadas preserves evidence of the Guanches’ summer pastoralism and obsidian extraction, including the remains of Guanche huts. The Guanches called Teide “Echeyde” and revered it as a sacred mountain. The Museo Etnográfico Juan Évora offers insight into the traditional way of life of shepherds in Las Cañadas. On the summit of Alto de Guajara, the remains of a hut also survive; French astronomer Jean Mascart used it during his stay there in 1910 to study Halley’s Comet as it passed close to Earth.

The visitor centres also each have a different focus. The Cañada Blanca Visitor Centre explores how ways of life in Las Cañadas developed from prehistoric times to the modern era; it includes a viewing terrace and a landscape model. At the El Portillo Visitor Centre, a museum focuses on the national park’s geological, botanical, zoological and archaeological features. The Botanical Garden next to the centre contains more than 75 percent of the national park’s species.

Nature here also includes plants with clearly defined habitats: the endemic Teide violet grows in rocky areas above 2,500 metres. The blue and red tajinaste are restricted to the summit regions. Together with the volcanic formations and cultural heritage, these features offer plenty of themes for planning your trip—from viewpoints and hiking trails to natural and cultural history.

Discover more destinations: Santiago Del Teide, Arafo, Buen Paso, La Esperanza, Icor, Almáciga, Oroteanda Baja, Granadilla De Abona.

For the main travel overview: Tenerife.