Visit El Teide in the Canary Islands

The 3718 meter high Pico del Teide is the highest mountain not only in Tenerife but in all of Spain. Its snow capped peak has always been an astonishing view above the tropical landscape and palm trees. It’s of scientific interest that Hailey’s comet was discovered by a French astronomer with a telescope set on the Pico del Teide. It must have been very difficult to set up an observatory here since until 1975, only donkeys were used here for cargo transport. The high quality black top was built at that time. We’re still far away from the peak but the serpentine up there offers an amazing view. The bottom of the sky round is wreathed by characteristic African clouds while the island of Gomera is enshrouded in the fog in the distance.
At our feet, we can see the Canadas Canyon. It is actually the place of a crumbled ancient mountain that exploded due to volcanic eruption before the formation of Teide. The walls of the 45km wide crater are 400 to 500 meters high. The clouds blown by trade winds hit the mountainside and warm up forming precipitation, therefore on the right side of the island, the sky is often cloudy while on the left side, we can calmly take pleasure in the sunshine. Snow melts only in the hottest summer months in Teide. Even the wind is stronger than down. Those who go there should take shoes and warm clothes to this excursion. Moreover, sometimes the nonskid chain is also necessary for the car. Teida national park was opened in 1954. Since then, the park guard and a mountain rescue team have been operating here.
We can go by car to the 2356 meter high Los Roquilos. From that point a cabled railway takes over when the weather is nice, the 2.5 km long journey can be taken in cabins for 33 people. In the thin air of the mountain station, there is only a 163 meter to the peak. The Valle de Huanca Plateau on the way down the mountain is a lunar landscape. Spanish and American film makers shot westerns and fantastic films.


Transcription by: Scribe4you Transcription Services