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Special Nature Reserves
Reserva Natural Especial del Chinyero
Description
The Chinyero Special Nature Reserve is located on the Abeque ridge, one of the three volcanic rifts on the island and the most active at present.
Two historical eruptions have taken place here: Volcán de Garachico (1706) and the last one to occur on Tenerife, Chinyero (1909).
Recommended time to visit: All year round
Geology
The Chinyero volcanic eruption created a contrasting landscape of lava flows, tephra deposits and volcanic cones, and a variety of plants that have gradually colonised what were once barren lands. It is therefore a significant site for the study of animal and plant colonisation of recent lava flows.
This environment helps to understand aeolian ecosystems where, given the lack of nutrients in the soil, the plants and invertebrates that inhabit the area depend on aeroplankton carried by the wind to survive.
In total there are 14 volcanic cones scattered throughout the reserve, the most representative examples of recent volcanic activity in Tenerife. It thus forms a site of great beauty and high scientific value, which in turn is also responsible for one of the greatest tragedies of these islands, the destruction of Garachico.
To protect the most fragile and representative parts of the reserve, access to the volcanic cones of Montaña Garachico, Montaña Chinyero and Montañas Negras is forbidden. It is also forbidden to leave the marked trails.
Flora and fauna
The reserve is an exceptional example of plant colonisation and succession in recently formed volcanic terrain.
With lava fields, scrubland, laurel forest and pine forest habitats, you will find numerous plant species in the reserve.
There are 113 endemic species present, 31% of the total number of registered species, including tajinaste gigante (Echium giganteum), bejeque puntero de Chío (Aeonium pseudourbicum), bejequillo peludo de Tenerife (Aeonium smithii), pastel de risco (Aeonium canariense), bejequillo menudo (Aeonium sedifolium), magarza de cumbre (Argyranthemum adauctum), amargosa (Vieraea laevigata), chajorra de Teno (Sideritis brevicaulis), malvarrisco (Lavatera acerifolia), saúco (Sambucus palmensis) and even the Teide violet (Viola cheiranthifolia), some specimens of which can be found in the reserve.
Most of the resident invertebrates are flightless species that are not very mobile. Their main food is small arthropods transported by the wind with the aerial plankton. Research into these dynamics is one of the main reasons for protecting the reserve.
Among the reptiles you can find the two subspecies of the Tenerife lizard.
And thanks to the variety of ecosystems present, you can also spot birds such as the blue tit, blue chaffinch, chaffinch, goldcrest, greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker, sparrowhawk, woodcock and long-eared owl.
Technical information sheet
Surface area
2739.4 ha (1.2% of the island).
Species of interest
Tajinaste gigante (Echium giganteum), bejeque puntero de Chío (Aeonium pseudourbicum), bejequillo peludo de Tenerife (Aeonium smithii), pastel de risco (Aeonium canariense), bejequillo menudo (Aeonium sedifolium), magarza de cumbre (Argyranthemum adauctum), amargosa (Vieraea laevigata), chajorra de Teno (Sideritis brevicaulis), malvarrisco (Lavatera acerifolia), saúco (Sambucus palmensis), Teide violet (Viola cheiranthifolia), Tenerife lizard, blue tit, blue chaffinch, chaffinch, goldcrest, greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker, sparrowhawk, woodcock, long-eared owl.
Ecosystems
Rocky, recent lava flows, Canary Island pine forest, laurel forest.
Places of interest
Montaña Bilma, Volcán de Garachico, Volcán Chinyero, Montañas Negras, Montaña de Los Poleos, Montaña del Centeno.
Regulations
To consult permits for use and updated regulations for this Protected Natural Area, visit the official website of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Municipalities
- El Tanque
- Garachico
- Santiago del Teide
Places of interest
These are some of the points of interest you can find along this route.
Unique building
Calvario de la Virgen Shrine
Place where in 1909 a prayer was offered for the Chinyero volcano to stop spewing lava during the...
Monumental tree
Pine tree at the place where the Ox spoke
It is said that a team of oxen was hauling wood along the track when one ox fell, exhausted, to...