Declared a national park in 1954, the Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide includes an enormous volcanic crater 30 miles (48 km) in circumference, out of which rises Mount Teide at a staggering 3,718 metres, making it the highest peak in the whole of Spain and 3rd highest volcano in the World after Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Driving up to the national park is an interesting experience, from the sunny south coast you drive up towards a town called Vilaflor with its alpine-like scenery. As you travel higher still above the clouds, the terrain changes dramatically and suddenly becomes an amazing lunar landscape.