If you have ever driven or been on a coach trip up to Teide you will have travelled through the largest protected area in the whole of the Canaries, it is known as the Corona Forestal Nature Park. This Nature park completely surrounds the Las Canadas del Teide National Park.

Pictured is Mt Teide surrounded by the Canary Pines of the Corona Forestal Nature Park (Click the image for a larger image) 

This Forest of pine trees covers almost 50,000 hectares and is home to a vast array of wildlife and birds. Whilst this area is a protected nature park, it is also an area used for recreation and has many designated areas where you can hold a barbeque (just provide the charcoal and the meat), play sports and generally enjoy the natural surroundings and the spectacular views.

If you are based in the south of the island there are 4 main recreational areas, El Contador (Arico), Las Lajas (between Vilaflor and Las Canadas), Madre Del Agua ( 1.5km from Vilaflor on the C-822 La Orotava to Granadilla) and Chio