TENERIFE © Andia/Universal Images via Getty Images when a tsunami began to shape Mount Teide as you see it today. It’s one of the largest and most accessible active vol-canic sites on the planet, although no eruptions have been recorded for more than 220 years. When it became a Natio-nal Park in January 1954, both the volcano and the lave fields around it were a wasteland due to grazing, sulphur extrac-tion and pumice quarrying. The protective measures brought in by declaring the area a reserve halted its degradation and have made it one of the most attractive regions on the planet. “You have to summit the peak and gaze at the views over Pico Viejo crater” recommends Laura Álvarez Torres, direc-tor of operations of Senda Ecoway and mountain guide who specialises in this National Park. She adds: “The area of the volcano’s last eruption, known as Las Narices del Teide (Tei-de’s Nostrils), is extremely interesting as you get to explore the Park’s youngest lava flows. Go and see the Minas de San José pumice banks, a unique lunar landscape shaped by the first eruptions. Other places you can’t miss are Montaña Mos-taza (Mustard Mountain) and Alto de Guamaso”. Teide violets and the Tizón lizard The volcanic beauty of Teide National Park is home to a uni-que biodiversity. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve for a reason. “In terms of plant life, I would say the best is the shy red tajinaste flower, which only lives on our island and grows in very few places. Plus the Teide violet, a species as fussy as it is amazing because it only grows at more than 3,000 metres above sea level, surviving the lack of oxygen, extreme tempe-ratures and gas emissions from the volcano” says the expert. Among the animal species that inhabit this high mountain area, the only subtropical one in Europe, are birds like the Eurasian bluetit and the chiffchaff as well as reptiles like the Tizón lizard. For hiking enthusiasts the Teide National Park is a paradi-se, as it has routes to suit everyone. “Reaching the top of Tei-de at dawn, seeing the shadow of the volcano and the other islands is an unparalleled spectacle. It’s a very difficult climb that requires a special permit from the Teide National Park administration” warns Laura Álvarez from Senda Ecoway. Another route worth taking is to Guajara Mountain. From there you can really appreciate the impressive volcano and when you reach the top you can see the remains of what was the first night sky observatory on the island. “Also Roques de García, an easy yet interesting trail because of its geological formations and its plant and animal life, especially at sunset”. STARGAZING The wonders of Teide National Park don’t end with its geolo-gy. Just look up at its sky and gaze at the stars to discover why it’s designated a Starlight Destination and Reserve. According to Laura Álvarez, from here “you’ll be able to see the types of white, yellow and red stars; with a good telescope, you can go to Mars, the rings of Saturn and the craters of the moon. Our favourite place to do this is at Minas de San José, a lunar landscape where you can get away from the crowds at dusk”. But the sky isn’t only observed at night: the Teide Observa-tory has a telescope specialising in solar observation. The Guanches were already coming up here to send their prayers up to the sky, there was no place closer to the sun. TENERIFE El Observatorio Astronómico. // The Astronomical Observatory. TENERIFE Vuelos // Flights: ¿Echas de menos el sol? Entonces la isla de Tenerife es tu destino. Hasta allí te lleva Air Europa, desde Madrid, con cuatro vuelos cada día. // Missing the sun? Then the island of Tenerife is the place for you. Air Europa can take you there from Madrid, four times a day. www.aireuropa.com