La highest mountain in SpainCuriously, it is found outside the Iberian Peninsula. Its about Teide, located on the Canary Island of Tenerife, a colossus of 3718 meters height above sea level. It forms a natural park that has been declared a World Heritage Site.
It is true that the insular peak is followed at a short distance by the Mulhacén, with its 3478 meters of altitude. Located in Sierra Nevada, it is, therefore, the highest mountain in the Hispanic peninsular territory. And then we have the Aneto, in the Aragonese Pyrenees and with 3408. To find the fourth highest mountain spur you have to go back to Sierra Nevada, because it is the Veleta Peak, whose height already drops to 3398 meters above sea level. But in this article we are going to talk to you about the highest mountain in Spain.
A little history of Teide
Recreation of one of the formative stages of Teide
The first thing we must tell you is that Teide is not a mountain in the strict sense, but a volcano. Around fifteen million years ago, there was another even larger than the current one on the island of Tenerife, but it disappeared. This circumstance would have been caused by its division and subsequent fall into the sea or by a collapse of the entire territory that caused its sinking.
They are the two hypotheses that are handled, but, through any of them, the Canyons of Teide. Subsequently, new eruptions gave rise to the current mountain. The resulting territory is made up of basaltic-type materials, although in its upper layers salic materials dominate. There are also pyroclastic pumice deposits.
This geological composition, to a large extent, is responsible for the fact that Teide, when it does not have snow, changes its color when seen from afar. At dusk, it is reddish, while the rest of the day it is beige, gray and even bluish.
Mythology around Teide
The phenomenon of the shadow of Teide
As with other great mountains in the world, the Canarian peak has been a source of mythological beliefs since ancient times. For the Guanches it was a holy mountain from which, by the way, they obtained obsidian. According to their beliefs, inside the volcano lived guayota, the spirit of Evil.
For this reason, many remains of indigenous objects have been found in its caves. The Guanches left them as offerings to counteract the power of the aforementioned spirit. However, other theories suggest that the mountain was considered by them rather a axus mundi. This name is given in mythology to the places considered to be axes of the world or points of confluence of different levels of the universe.
The Canarian colossus also fascinated the authors of Classical Antiquity. the greek Herodotus I called him Atlas and the roman Pliny the Elder I was talking about the snows of ninguaria, name given to the island of Tenerife. Already in the Renaissance, many wanted to see in the Canary Islands the remains of the legendary Atlantis and Teide as the mountain that Poseidon gave to Atlas.
It was already in the XNUMXth century when the highest mountain in Spain began to be seen using scientific criteria. However, authors like Julio Verne they continued to imagine stories about him. In any case, the first documented ascent of the peak was that of the Italians Prosper Casola y Leonardo Torreni in 1588.
On the other hand, if we are talking about curiosities, we have to refer to the shadow phenomenon. It was first described by other mountaineers who climbed to the top - the English Philips Ward y john weber, which they did around 1650. It consists of Teide casting the largest shadow in the world projected on the sea. It is so large that it partially covers the island of Gran Canaria or of La Gomera, depending on the time of day. As if that were not enough, although the mountain is not exactly triangular in shape, its shadow is. In any case, the truth is that this phenomenon is unique in the world.
The flora and fauna of the highest mountain in Spain
Red Tajinaste in the highest mountain in Spain
The entire Teide National Park is one of the most outstanding natural spaces in the world due to the enormous amount of endemic species of fauna and flora that has. As you know, an endemism is a subspecies that only exists in one region of the planet.
As for them, in the flora there are about fifty-eight. They highlight the Teide violet, silver thistle, red tagine, guanche rosebush or the rabbit grass, as well as several species of mosses and borriza. Some of them are in danger of extinction. For this reason, the Canarian authorities are carrying out different actions to preserve them.
Regarding the fauna, some seventy species are also endemic to the area. Representative of them are the long-eared bat and lizard Tizon. But others introduced later are also very abundant, such as the Moorish hedgehog, the rabbit and the mouflon. Precisely, the latter constitutes a threat to the aforementioned rabbit grass, since it is part of its diet. Along with them, many other species also inhabit the park, such as the hoopoe or the long-eared owl among the birds, the common perenquén among the lizards or the feral bighorn cat among the mammals.
The ascent to Teide
Teide cable car
Curiously, despite its height, it is not difficult to climb the highest mountain in Spain. In fact, there is a cable car that reaches an altitude of 3555 meters. Next, you must take the number ten hiking trail, also known as Telesforo Bravo trail, which will take you directly to the crater of the volcano.
This route seems simple, since it only consists of about six hundred and fifty meters in length, it is true that it ascends. The drop is 163 meters and it takes about forty minutes. However, precisely that difference in height and the lack of oxygen make the climb not easy. However, if you consider yourself a seasoned mountaineer, you can also do the route on foot from the base. In this case, the route follows the white mountain trail.
Either option is good. Choosing one or the other depends on your faculties. Another thing is the issue of permits. To get to the top you will need one, as access is limited to two hundred people per day. Also, there is a two-month waiting list. In other words, if you plan to make the ascent, for example, in September, you will have to request the permit in July.
To request it you have two ways. The first is through the National Parks website. Instead, the second is through a guided tour. For the latter, you will only have to hire an accredited company. She will take care of the permits.
However, in case you spend the night in the Altavista refuge, which we will talk about later, and you go up before nine in the morning, you will not need permission to climb to the top of Teide.
Other routes on Teide
Altavista refuge on Teide
On the other hand, from the cable car you can do other routes. As a sample of them, we will talk about two. The first is number eleven or from the viewpoint of the Fortress. It heads northwest and shows you the most perfect slope of the volcanic cone. This one is on the left and, on the other side, you can see the white mountain and remains of old castings. But, above all, when you reach the viewpoint that gives it its name, you will have spectacular views of the entire northern part of the island of Tenerife. You will also see the Orotava Valley and the chord of Anaga massif.
The second route is number twelve or from the Pico Viejo viewpoint. It takes you to the west slope of the Pilón and offers you the impressive view of the crater of Chahorra Mountain (or Pico Viejo), with eight hundred meters in diameter. Likewise, in this case, you will appreciate the southern slope of the island, with the Guajara Mountain, Rocks of Garcia and even, on the plain, the spectacular Flower Pine Forest y La Gomera.
Finally, in route number seven you have the Altavista refuge, which we have already quoted you. It is the only one on Teide and consists of two buildings. It has three common bedrooms that have a total capacity of fifty-four people. The beds are equipped with their appropriate clothing, so you will not need a sleeping bag.
It also offers you other facilities such as a lounge, dining room, kitchen and even an infirmary. The whole complex is equipped with heating and toilets, although it does not have showers.
The refuge was built in 1892, although it was completely renovated in 2007. It also has hot drinks, water and soft drinks, but you will have to bring the food yourself. However, as we told you, it has a kitchen to heat it. The stay is limited to one night. But you will enjoy wonderful views of the Canarian sky.
In conclusion, we have told you about the highest mountain in Spain. We have also explained everything you need to know to climb to its top. However, since you are on the island of Tenerife, we would like to advise you to also visit other places of interest that it offers you. Among these, the capital, Santa Cruz, but also the tourist Puerto de la Cruz, the rural Masca, in the Parque del Teno and the historic San Cristobal de la Laguna y La Orotava. Don't you feel like getting to know this colossus of rock and the towns that surround it?