Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero

Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero is a special nature reserve in Tenerife, covering the land around the Chinyero volcano at the border of the municipalities of Santiago del Teide, El Tanque, and Garachico. The protected area spans over 2,300 hectares and preserves one of the best examples of the island's recent volcanic landscape.

What is this place?

The reserve was established around the Chinyero volcano, which rises to roughly 1,561 meters above sea level near the Teide massif. Chinyero is a monogenetic volcano — meaning it erupts only once, forming a single cone, unlike a repeatedly active system such as Teide itself. The reserve contains as many as 14 volcanic cones, making it one of the most representative sites of recent volcanic activity on Tenerife.

Why is Chinyero historically significant?

Eruptions in this area have been recorded since 1393, but the defining event in the reserve's history is the eruption of November 18, 1909, which lasted nine days. It was the last volcanic eruption on Tenerife — the island has not experienced another one since. Earlier, in 1706, an eruption of the Garachico volcano took place within what is now the reserve's boundaries, destroying the historic port of the town that shares its name. These two historical eruptions give the area particular importance for understanding the island's volcanic past.

What kind of nature can be found in the reserve?

The landscape within the reserve is varied — alongside barren black lava fields and volcanic ash (known locally as malpaís), there are pine forests, patches of laurel forest, and riparian habitats. This diversity of environments supports a rich range of species: 113 endemic species have been recorded in the reserve, representing 31% of all plant species identified there. In practical terms, nearly one in three plants growing here is found nowhere else outside the Canary Islands, or even outside Tenerife itself.

What should you know before visiting?

The reserve lies in the western part of Tenerife, within the municipality of El Tanque, close to the road leading toward Santiago del Teide. The stark volcanic terrain contrasts with the greener vegetation growing at the edges of the lava fields, making the area a compelling destination for anyone interested in geology and the island's natural history.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chinyero an active volcano? No, the volcano is currently dormant. Its last eruption occurred in 1909, which was also the most recent volcanic eruption on Tenerife as a whole.

How many volcanic cones are there in the reserve? The reserve contains 14 volcanic cones, formed by different eruptions over the centuries.

Which municipalities does the reserve cover? The protected area extends across three municipalities: Santiago del Teide, El Tanque, and Garachico.

What stands out about the local flora? A high share of endemic species — they make up 31% of all plants recorded in the reserve, reflecting the uniqueness of the local ecosystem.