Spotlight on: Tenerife

Tenerife in the Canary Islands is often associated with winter sunshine, beach holidays and the imposing silhouette of Mount Teide. Yet spend a little time exploring the island on foot and you'll quickly discover there's far more to Tenerife than many people realise.

From ancient forests and volcanic landscapes to surprising wildlife and some of the clearest skies in Europe, Tenerife has a habit of exceeding expectations. Here are four things we bet you didn't know about Tenerife before...

Did you know? Tenerife is home to Spain's highest mountain

Mount Teide isn't just Tenerife's most famous landmark. At 3,715 metres, it's also the highest mountain in Spain. Rising above the island's volcanic landscape, Teide dominates the skyline and creates some of the most memorable walking scenery in the Canary Islands. The surrounding Teide National Park is a place of lava fields, rock formations and panoramic views that can feel more like another planet than a Mediterranean island. It's little wonder that first-time visitors are often surprised by just how dramatic Tenerife's landscapes can be.

Did you know? You can walk through ancient cloud forest?

When many people think of Tenerife, they picture sunshine and volcanic landscapes. What they don't expect is forest. In the north of the island, the ancient laurel forests of the Anaga Rural Park create an entirely different world. Twisting trees, moss-covered branches and mist drifting through the woodland give the area an almost magical atmosphere.

These forests are closely related to woodland that once covered large parts of southern Europe millions of years ago, making them an incredibly rare and important environment. Walking here feels a long way from the image many people have of Tenerife, which is precisely what makes it so special.

Did you know? The island's climate changes dramatically from one side to the other?

One of Tenerife's greatest strengths is its diversity. The island's mountainous terrain creates a range of microclimates, meaning conditions can vary significantly across relatively short distances. While one part of the island enjoys warm sunshine, another may be shrouded in cloud, creating entirely different landscapes and ecosystems. This helps explain why Tenerife feels so varied to walkers. Coastal paths, pine forests, volcanic terrain and mountain scenery can all be found on the same island, often within a relatively short distance of one another. It's also why locals will often advise packing an extra layer, whatever the forecast says.

Did you know? Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for stargazing?

Tenerife's high altitude, low levels of light pollution and consistently clear skies have helped make it one of the world's leading destinations for astronomy. The slopes of Mount Teide are home to internationally respected observatories, and on a clear evening the night sky can be truly extraordinary.

Even if astronomy isn't normally your thing, standing beneath a sky filled with countless stars can't help but charm. Far from the bright lights of mainland Europe, Tenerife's night skies offer a reminder of just how spectacular the natural world can be after dark.

More than winter sunshine

Tenerife may be famous for its year-round warmth, but that's only part of the story. Volcanic landscapes, ancient forests, dramatic mountain scenery and unique natural environments all combine to create one of Europe's most rewarding walking destinations. It's an island that reveals something new with every visit and rewards those who take the time to explore beyond the obvious. And that's exactly why we keep going back.