Very close to the historic centre of Santiago del Teide is one of the most amazing natural areas on the island: the Chinyero Special Nature Reserve. A landscape of lava, where the earth still bears the recent traces of volcanic activity.
This protected area is home to the remains of two historic eruptions on the island of Tenerife: Arenas Negras (1706) and El Chinyero (1909). The latter, the most recent recorded, marked the life of the municipality. That event left a deep mark on the collective memory of Santiago del Teide, where it is still remembered today as an episode that tested the community and transformed its relationship with the landscape.
One of the greatest values of the Chinyero is the opportunity to observe first-hand the early stages of ecological succession, the natural process by which lichens, mosses, scrub and, later, Canarian pines reclaim the land after volcanic impact.
This turns this space into a real natural laboratory. Some areas of the reserve, such as the surroundings of the Chinyero lava flow, have preserved a landscape that has remained virtually untouched for over a century, with little human intervention and great value for research and environmental education.
Protection, conservation and respect for the environment
Declared a protected natural area by the Canary Islands Government, the reserve is located in the most recent sector of the Dorsal de Abeque and is home to one of the largest concentrations of volcanic cones and recent lava flows in the archipelago. These elements make up an environment of great scientific and visual interest, where one can clearly observe how nature begins to colonise the landscape after an eruption. It is also part of the Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA).
Its protection is not only due to the scenic value of the land, but also to the need to conserve fragile habitats and species adapted to this ecosystem. This is a sensitive environment, so it can only be visited by following the designated trails and respecting conservation rules.
A natural space to explore at your leisure
Far from the busiest areas of the island, the Chinyero Special Nature Reserve offers a different experience: direct contact with the volcanic landscape, the silence of the surroundings and the rugged beauty of an environment that continues to transform itself.
A landscape that invites you to take your time observing and let yourself be surprised by the serene power of nature.
