Photo. A wonderful view from Mount Teide - "the sea of clouds", Teide National Park, Tenerife, in Spain. Amazing view of whats known as © Travel Explorations.
Teide is situated on the island of Tenerife, Teide National Park features the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano that, at 3,718 m, is the highest peak on Spanish soil. Its rises 7,500 m above the ocean floor, and it`s considered as the worlds third-tallest volcanic structure and stands in a spectacular environment.
Photo. A world of wonders of art in Teide National Park, Tenerife, in Spain. .
Into the wonder world of rock art!
The Teide National park is like a rainbow. It`s featured with different colours and shapes as expanses of black sand, green pine forests, red rock formations, charcoal-grey lava fields and white clouds.
I could easily understand that this dramatic scenery has featured in films such as Planet of the Apes, Total Recall, Star Wars, and the Spice Girls video for Say Youll Be There.
Climbing to the summit of the Mount Teide was my big dream. I tried to do it in the easiest way, and was totally aware of that part of the route could be done by a cable car. It allows anyone, no matter what there physical condition is to make the ascent. Taking the cable car was no problem. So far so good!
Photo. An amazing view of whats known as "the sea of clouds", Mount Teide.
The more adventurous can ascend on foot by the path that leaves from the area of Montaña Blanca, next to the road. This is the only route allowed and is quite demanding which takes almost six hours of walking. I didn`t have time and patient for this walk.
The volcano and its surrounds comprise the Teide National Park, also called Parque Nacional del Teide in Spanish. The park covers an area of 18900 hectars and was selected a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 29 June 2007. Its dormant volcano erupted last in 1909 from the El Chinyero vent on the Santiago (northwestern) rift. My guide told me that a quickly vulcanic eruption was nothing to worry about. If a eruption is under development, there will take a log time before it will explode, and that will be sufficient time to warn people around, both tourists and local inhabitants.
According to UNESCO (www.UNESCO.org), Teide National Park, dominated by the 3,781 m Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano, represents a rich and diverse assemblage of volcanic features and landscapes concentrated in a spectacular setting. The visual impact of the site is all the greater due to atmospheric conditions that create constantly changing textures and tones in the landscape and a sea of clouds that forms a visually impressive backdrop to the mountain.
The cable car service, which runs every day if the weather conditions allow, reaches the area known as the Rambleta, at a height of 3,555 metres. The rest of the ascent is over 200 metres, and must be made on foot. I tried to walk further, but unfortunately I was rejected to reach the top. Two guards said that I needed permit.
I was of course very dissapointed. The best I could do was to spending time at the Rambleta area walking around. Anyway I find it real rewarding. Even though I felt little bit dizzy from the thin air, I really got something out of it. Instead of consentrating on walking to the top, I could enjoy the wonderful view.
Access to the peak, along the Telesfero Bravo path, is restricted and hikers need to apply for a permit to reach the summit whether they are on foot or going by cable car.
Permits can be applied for by post, fax or email to the Administration Office of the Teide National Park, located in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Be aware of that permits cannot be issued in the park itself.
People in both sexes in different ages, both small children to elderly, had a good time up on Mount Teide.
Coming up more in Part 2.
Stein Morten Lund, 15 August 2008
Additional information
Read more about Tenerife, pyramids and more on our global travel guide www.TravelExplorations.com
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