The plan had been to move from La Orotava to Vilaflor on Wednesday and go up El Teide, the third largest volcano in the world on Thursday or, if weather dictated, Friday. In the event, John looked at the routes available to us and decided that we might as well go through the El Teide national park, passing the cable car to the top of the mountain, giving us a third option. The crucial decider would be the weather. As we left La Orotava, there was cloud around, but it wasn't long before that burned back and it looked like there would be a good chance to get up to the top (or as far as we were allowed to go).
Some views on our way up and featuring the mountain, El Teide.
As we entered the National Park, we stopped for a short break and picked up a map from the visitor centre.There was a walk there into what might almost be a garden (the first row of photos).
Further up towards the mountain, we stopped where everyone else was stopping (a car park is a good indication that there might be something interesting). The 'sand' really is the colours in the photo and the area is large. Some of the rocks here have clear traces that this was once lava and presumably these are from the 1909 eruption.
As we approached the cable car station, we would see the pylons and the station at the top. Along the road, there were many stalagmite type rocks - we would see these everywhere.
Finally we reached the base of the cable car. On such a perfect day, needless to say that it was full and in the car parks, everyone was hovering spotting those about the leave. Fortunately, we find a spot quickly, walked up the hill and joined the queue waiting to buy tickets. While you can buy in advance, it doesn't really work when you have just a couple of days and no idea what the weather will let the car run. Fortunately, we were at the beginning of the batch of people in our car and so were near a window.
When we reached the top station at 3550m the temperature was 1 degree, but out of the sun and wind, it was comfortable enough. A number of paths are open to visitors and others to those who have booked in advance reach the crater. We walked first one path and then another. At that height, one easily gets out of breath and so Pat didn't get as far as John, but quite far enough! The views were breathtaking (if one had any breath to spare).
We then descended and continued on to our next stop, Vilaflor where we would spend the next two nights.
On the way, we passed the Parador (Paradors are a chain of hotels run by the Spanish state which are either in histori al or in prime sites). This is the El Teida Parador
The mountain is Guajaros, the fourth highest peak in the Canaries. If I had known precisely where the Paradore was, we would have been staying there!
By chance, on our way to Vilaflor, we spotted the perfect light on El Teide
We arrived at hotel in Vilaflor and ate in the hotel that evening. Enough excitement for one day!
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