As well as being the highest point in Tenerife the dormant volcano Mt Teide is at 3715m above sea level the highest point in Spain. Teide is also the 3rd highest volcano on the earth behind the Hawaiian Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
The volcano and its surrounds, including the whole of the caldera, are protected in a national park, the Parque Nacional del Teide. Access is by a public road running across the caldera from northeast to southwest; a Parador (hotel) is also within the National Park. A cable car (Teleférico Teide) goes from the roadside at 2356 m most of the way to the summit, reaching 3555 m. Access to the summit itself is restricted; a permit (obtainable from the Park office in Santa Cruz) is required to climb the last 200 m.
A fascinating region which has been described as 'one of the most spectacular examples of vulcanism in the world' at the official tourist website. Details, photographs and reviews of theTeide Cableway, local accommodation options and attractions in Las Caņadas have been collected by the trivago community for easy reference and is also available in Spanish, German and French.