Teide Crater
Teide Crater Size and Shape
Although Mount Teide is the third largest volcano in the world (by height measured from the foot of the volcano on the seabed), Teide crater is quite small. It has a round (slight oval) shape and measures about 90 metres in diameter from east to west and about 100-110 metres from north-northwest to south-southeast.
The picture above shows Teide crater, looking to the south-west.
The crater is quite shallow. It wouldn’t be extremely hard to walk through the middle of the crater from one side to the other, but that is not permitted – for both safety reasons and preservation of the precious nature.
Teide crater, looking to the north-west.
Teide Crater and Teide Peak
Different sections of Teide crater edge have different altitude. It is the lowest in the south. The peak of Teide (the highest point around the edge of Teide crater, 3,718 metres above sea level) is situated in the north-east (the direction to La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz). There is a path along the edge of the crater to the peak.
The peak of Teide with the path, north-eastern part of Teide crater.
The northern part of Teide crater (the peak is on the right).
Teide Crater vs. Las Cañadas Caldera
Teide crater is situated at the very top of Mount Teide (higher than the upper station of the cable car). The big (16×9 km) caldera of the previous Las Cañadas volcano (that occupies virtually the whole Teide National Park) is also sometimes inaccurately referred to as Teide crater. In fact, the whole Mount Teide rises from the middle of Las Cañadas caldera.
The picture above was taken looking over the Teide crater (bottom half of the picture) to the south-southeast. The dark range you can see in the upper half of the picture is the edge of Las Cañadas Caldera. Behind the caldera edge you can see the south-eastern coast of Tenerife (near Tenerife South Airport and El Médano).
This is a similar picture, looking a bit to the west of the previous one. Approximately in the middle, behind the caldera edge, you can see the section of the coast near the popular resorts Los Cristianos, Las Americas, and Costa Adeje.
Teide Crater Activity and Eruptions
Teide is an active volcano, but all its recent eruptions occurred through different rifts on the sides and not directly through Teide crater. By recent we mean geologically recent – the last Teide eruption occurred in 1909.
Teide crater is a relatively peaceful place (except for the strong wind – it’s the highest point in the Atlantic Ocean after all). No strong volcanic activity is directly visible to an amateur eye (definitely no boiling lava), but you can smell the sulphur a bit and you can see many places (pieces of rock of various colours) where some of the gases are probably coming from.
Visiting Teide Crater
There is only one path to the peak and the crater of Teide. It starts next to the upper station of Teide Cable Car. You need a permit to enter this path – it is free, but you must register in advance (the number of people who can go the the top is limited in order to protect the special environment).
There is a good path of medium difficulty. Good shoes are definitely recommended. The final climb from the cable car station to Teide crater is short and the altitude to climb is less than 200 metres. If you want more challenge, forget the cable car and walk straight from the road – the altitude to climb is some 1,400 metres in this case).
This is where you first enter Teide crater (the south-southeast edge of the crater).
The path along the eastern edge of Teide crater. There are chains for support, but they may be covered with ice (this picture is from mid November).
Overlooking Teide crater from the path to the west.
Teide Crater Rocks and Details
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Loro Parque, Tenerife
Loro Parque: Over-promoted, but for a Reason
When I first arrived in Tenerife and saw the billboards and ads promoting Loro Parque all over the island, my first impression was that Loro Parque was just another tourist trap and over promoted attraction (its tagline is El “must“ de Canarias). When I first visited the park, I changed my mind totally.
Orca Ocean in Loro Parque.
Loro Parque: Zoo and Theme Park Combined
Sure, Loro Parque is still a well managed scheme designed to extract money from tourists, but it is money well spent. Loro Parque is basically a combination of a theme park and a zoo and for the visitors a combination of entertainment, education, and environmental awareness session.
Loro Parque was first built in the 1970′s and dedicated solely to parrots (hence the park’s name). It claims to have hosted the first parrot show in Europe back then. Over time, other animal species were added and today parrots represent only a small part of the park’s menu.
Loro Parque dolphin show.
Loro Parque Animal Shows
Orcas
The Orca Ocean show is probably the greatest and most unique attraction of Loro Parque. After all, a whale’s tail is featured on the park’s logo together with two parrots. Loro Parque‘s Orca Ocean is not just another show featuring big fish jumping from the water and waving tail – it is very well arranged in an interactive and exciting way and you can feel the power these gigantic animals have. Beware – you may get very wet if you sit in the so called splash zone in the first few rows. On a big screen hanging above the pool you will also see a short movie documenting the birth of the 4 orcas kept in Loro Parque and their air transport from the US Sea World to Puerto de la Cruz.
Dolphins
If you’ve been to other water parks with dolphin shows before, you will likely not see much new in Loro Parque. Nevertheless, the dolphin show is still very well done and features about 7-9 animals and 3 keepers. You will see some big swimming and jumping action (by both the dolphins and the keepers). If you have small children, they may get involved in the show and take a short ride in a boat powered by a dolphin (you’ll need to arrange this before the show starts).
It’s both the dolphins and the keepers doing the show.
Sea lions
The sea lion show is probably the one where the animals and keepers look best aligned. The show is a good mix of artistic action and fun. It is amazing how these animals can keep balance when sliding on a small slide while keeping a ball on their nose (and not losing the ball even when they eventually splash in the water). One of the sea lions briefly leaves the exhibit at one moment during the show to greet a few spectators from immediate proximity. Like orcas, the sea lions also have a splash zone.
Loro Parque sea lion show.
If you like, you can get really close to the animals in Loro Parque.
Parrots
The parrot show is what made Loro Parque’s name first. Unlike the other shows it is located indoors and features about (my estimate) 20-30 parrots. The intelligent birds speak, ride a bike or a car, perform simple maths exercises, and fly so close above your head that you feel the wind from their wings. There is also one parrot buying a beer in a vending machine and acting being drunk. Though the parrot show is not as magnificent as the orcas or as much action as the dolphins or the sea lions, it is definitely worth a visit.
Other Attractions in Loro Parque
Planet Penguin
In the Penguin Pavilion you will see penguins from South America (Humboldt Penguins) and Antarctica. Loro Parque claims that their Planet Penguin includes “the biggest replica of the Antarctic continent ever constructed”. There is real snow and real ice inside.
Aquarium
The Aquarium is the opportunity to see various species of fish and sea life from close proximity. There is a coral reef made by combining Tenerife volcanic rocks and corals brought from Indonesia. In the 18-metre-long Shark Tunnel you can see how shark’s teeth look like in detail (the sharks swim directly above your head). If you read the detailed text information on the panels, you will learn a lot about sharks (and realize that sharks are much less dangerous to people than people are dangerous to them).
The Shark Tunnel.
One of the most popular attractions in the Aquarium is the “Nemo” fish.
Other animal exhibits
Besides 350 species of parrots you will see exhibits with tigers (they are quite lazy), apes (one of the gorillas was a big showman), a giant turtle, and many other animals. In Katandra Treetops, which feels like a jungle, you can climb high in the trees and watch birds eating grain or drinking water from as close as 50 cm.
Giant turtle in Loro Parque.
Katandra Treetops.
Vegetation
Besides the animals, there is Orchidario (Orchid Garden) and various exotic trees and plants all over Loro Parque.
Loro Parque Orchid Garden.
How to get to Loro Parque
Loro Parque is located in Puerto de la Cruz on the north coast of Tenerife. In Puerto the entrance to Loro Parque is near Punta Brava, west of Puerto’s city centre behind Playa Jardin. There is a panoramic train going from the Martianez area in Puerto directly to Loro Parque. If you take the very first train at 9:00 in the morning, it will be very crowded.
Loro Parque train.
Loro Parque train stop is located between Martianez and Paseo San Telmo in Puerto de la Cruz.
Loro Parque Opening Hours and Tickets
Loro Parque is open daily from 8:30 to 18:45 (last possible entrance is at 16:00). Entrance fee is EUR 32. You can buy the tickets at the entrance or at many tourist offices and hotels in Tenerife. A second visit within 14 days from your first costs only EUR 10, if you book it inside the park during your first visit. The official website of Loro Parque is http://www.loroparque.com/.
Loro Parque entrance in Puerto de la Cruz.
In Sum…
While I often find the “must see” tourist attractions not really a “must”, this one is.
Montaña la Data, Gran Canaria
Montaña de la Data
Montaña de la Data (also Montaña la Data – it’s the same) is a village overlooking the south coast of Gran Canaria very close to Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. It is a place for those who don’t need to stay on the beachfront and prefer the right Canarian peace and tranquility. Compared to the resorts on the coast, there are fewer tourists and more long-term staying people.
Montaña de la Data (on the hill) as seen from Tablero de Maspalomas. The area with trees under the hill is Aqualand Maspalomas.
Montaña la Data Location and Directions
Montaña la Data is about 4 km from the centre of Maspalomas (behind Tablero de Maspalomas). Take road GC-503 (you will pass Aqualand Maspalomas on the way).
More Pictures from Montaña la Data
Roofs of houses in Montaña la Data, with mountains in the background.
Some of the houses in Montaña la Data are very close to the edge of the cliff.
Montaña la Data as seen from the north (road GC-503).
Montaña la Data from above (further inlands on road GC-503), with Maspalomas in the background.
Montaña la Data and Barranco de Ayagaures
The deep valley immediately to the east of Montaña la Data is Barranco de Ayagaures.
Barranco de Ayagaures from Montaña la Data. Here you can see more pictures and more information about Ayagaures.
View from Montaña la Data to Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés
Maspalomas from Montaña la Data.
The sand dunes of Maspalomas seen from Montaña la Data.
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Refugio Altavista, Teide
Refugio Altavista
Refugio Altavista (Altavista Refuge; alto means high or upper; vista means view in Spanish) is a simple refuge on Mount Teide, about 450 metres below the peak. It is the only accommodation option available at such high altitude. You can stay there if you want to get to the peak of Teide very early in the morning (to watch the shade of Teide by sunrise) or late in the evening (good place to watch stars).
This is how Refugio Altavista looks:
Refugio Altavista Accommodation
Accommodation at Refugio Altavista costs EUR 24 or EUR 20 per night per person – the higher rate applies on Fridays, Saturdays, holidays, and other busy days. These prices are as in 2012 and they can change. Maximum stay is 1 night only.
Total capacity is 54 people, which may seem a lot, but the Refugio is often fully booked on the more popular days. Refugio Altavista is not available on the big international hotel booking websites and unfortunately you can’t book it directly through Canary Dias website either. You can book it here: http://www.telefericoteide.com/en (you can also book the cable car through the same website).
Note that the location severly limits comfort and services (Refugio Altavista is not like the 4 star hotels in the resorts). There is no restaurant – you can buy some drinks, but no food. You can heat your own food in the kitchen. There are toilets and washbasins, but no showers. Bedsheets are provided, so you don’t need to bring your own sleeping bag. There is even internet access at the Refugio.
Other Accommodation Options near Teide
If Refugio Altavista is fully booked, if you want to stay more nights, or if you want more comfort, there is a more traditional kind of accommodation 4 km from the bottom station of Teide Cable Car. It is the only hotel in Teide National Park, Parador de las Cañadas del Teide. The trip to the peak of Teide and back, even without taking the cable car, can be done within a single day from here if you are physically OK.
This is how the Parador looks:
You can see more information, guest reviews, more pictures, prices, and book online on Booking.com.
Besides the Parador, the hotels closest to Teide are in Vilaflor, at 1,400 metres the highest village on Tenerife, situated on the southern section of TF-21 (in the direction to the south coast – Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Adeje).
Refugio Altavista Parking
Of course you can’t get to Refugio Altavista by car. You can park your car at a small parking place directly where the trail to Refugio Altavista starts – on road TF-21 (Lugar las Cañadas del Teide) between Portillo and Teide Cable Car, about 2.5 km before the cable car. The place looks like this:
Refugio Altavista Trail
The parking on TF-21 is at 2,350 metres of altitude. Refugio Altavista is at 3,268 metres. The climb to the Refugio is physically demanding, but the path is well visible and easy to follow. There are a few trail junctions on the way, but most of them are signed.
The path between the parking and Refugio Altavista, just above Montaña Blanca.
The path at higher altitude, already quite close to Refugio Altavista. The hill in the middle of the picture is Montaña Blanca.
From Refugio Altavista to the Peak of Teide
Once you get to Refugio Altavista, you have done the greater part (about 2/3) of the climb, although the terrain is a bit more challenging up from Refugio and you may also start to feel the effect of altitude. Nevertheless, the path is still very clear to follow and unless the weather is bad (in that case you shouldn’t go there in the first place), you won’t get lost.
The trail above Refugio Altavista.
This is the junction where the path from Refugio Altavista meets the panoramic path from the upper station of Teide Cable Car. When the cable car is operating, you will very likely meet many people here. In the background you can see the peak of Teide.
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Barranco de Ayagaures
Barranco de Ayagaures, Gran Canaria
Barranco de Ayagaures is a deep valley (or ravine) in the south of Gran Canaria, running from the coast near Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés 12-15 km inlands. It is a perfect example of south Gran Canaria landscape: steep cliffs, deep valleys, white houses, and arid vegetation.
Barranco de Ayagaures Pictures
The bottom end of Barranco de Ayagaures near Maspalomas. In the middle of the picture (the place with lots of trees) you can see Aqualand Maspalomas.
Barranco de Ayagaures is a deep valley, surrounded by steep cliffs. This picture is looking from road GC-503 over Barranco de Ayagaures towards the inlands of Gran Canaria.
Barranco de Ayagaures, looking towards the coast, with Playa del Inglés in the background.
The upper end of Barranco de Ayagaures, the villages (Ayagaures, Ayagaures de Abajo), and the dams (Presa de Ayagaures).
Road GC-503 on a cliff above Barranco de Ayagaures.
The serpentines take the road down to the barranco near Ayagaures de Abajo.
Ayagaures de Abajo.
One of the numerous side roads in Barranco de Ayagaures. These roads usually end after a few metres. The walls of the barranco are too steep for any road to overcome.
Visiting Barranco de Ayagaures
Barranco de Ayagaures and nearby villages make a nice short trip from Maspalomas, either by car or on a bike. There are two roads between Maspalomas and the upper end of Barranco de Ayagaures (GC-503 and GC-504), so you can take one on the way up and the other when you go back.
More Info and Pictures from Barranco de Ayagaures
- Presa de Ayagaures (the dams)
- Ayagaures (the villages and more pictures from Barranco de Ayagaures)
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GC-200, Gran Canaria West Coast Road
Gran Canaria West Coast Road
The west coast of Gran Canaria (the one facing Tenerife) is very rocky and wild. You will not find towns here because there simply is not space for them. Most of the western coast is filled by high cliffs. It is possible to drive along the west coast – the road number is GC-200 and it is accessible either from the south (La Aldea de San Nicolas) or from the north (Agaete).
GC 200 and West Coast Pictures
The folowing are a few pictures I took when driving on Gran Canaria west coast road. The photos are ordered from La Aldea to Agaete.
Gran Canaria west coast. The cliffs are more than 500 metres high.
Gran Canaria west coast ends with Punta Sardina, the north-western cape of Gran Canaria. On the picture above, you can see the towns of Agaete and Sardina in the northern part of the west coast. Road GC-200 ends in Agaete. From Agaete the road continues as a bigger road, GC-2, to Las Palmas.
In a few places along road GC-200, you can look deep down to the ocean like this. You are several hundreds of metres above the sea level (I took this picture from Mirador del Balcon, which is 360 metres above the Atlantic Ocean).
Mirador del Balcon is one of the best places on road GC-200 where you can stop and look around. Unlike other places on GC-200, there are parking places for several cars at Mirador del Balcon. The road gets very close to the coast here (in horizontal terms; in vertical terms it is the already mentioned 360 metres higher). You can see big part of Gran Canaria west coast from here.
There is a balcony where the view gets even better. Mirador del Balcón literally means Balcony Viewpoint in Spanish. The mirador is close to the south-western end of GC-200 (near La Aldea de San Nicolas). It is in fact the first place after Los Caserones (the coastal village in La Aldea valley) where GC-200 gets to the coast again.
Road GC 200 east of Mirador del Balcon.
In many places, you can still see parts of La Aldea de San Nicolas and its characteristic polythene greenhouses.
Here you can see Gran Canaria west coast directly from your driver’s seat. Be careful not to forget looking at the road in front of you. Other drivers may also get their attention divided between driving and sightseeing. A car appearing from behind a curve driving well into your half of the road is not uncommon here.
Road GC 200 is constantly going to the very edge of the cliffs and back inlands again. You can’t count the curves.
There is nothing but steep cliffs between the road and the coast.
Another good place for looking around and taking pictures is on km 18 of GC-200. Parking capacities are much lower compared to Mirador del Balcon and it is probably not an official “mirador”, but almost all tourists driving the west coast road stop here. There is a small (5-8 metres high) rock between the road and the edge of the cliff – it is not hard to climb on it and the view is perfect. The picture above was taken from that rock. Be very careful not to fall down (it’s some 500 metres above sea level here).
You can see a section of road GC 200 on the right.
Amazingly, you meet quite a few trucks when driving on the west coast road. When you look at them and at the road, you wonder how they can fit in here.
If you are a motorcycle fan, this is one of the panoramic rides to enjoy.
There are not many villages on road GC-200 and on Gran Canaria west coast in general. One of the few settlements is El Risco, a typical white village in Barranco del Risco.
Road GC-200 leaving Barranco del Risco.
One of the few places on the west coast with more vegetation is Barranco de la Palma. There is some space for parking here too. See more information and more pictures here: Barranco de la Palma.
Evening on Gran Canaria west coast. After Barranco de La Palma, you are already getting close to the end of GC-200 in Agaete.
From many places on GC-200 you can see Tenerife and Mount Teide above the Atlantic Ocean.
The west coast road is one of the best places where to watch sunset in Gran Canaria. You can find more pictures of GC-200 and Agaete sunset here: Gran Canaria West Coast in the Evening.
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