Tenerife - Teide

Almost everywhere on Tenerife the Pico de Teide dominates the horizon, provided always that it is not shrouded in cloud. The north side of Teide falls steeply down to the coast; on the southwestern and eastern slopes are two outlying spurs - to the southwest the Pico Viejo (3,135m/10,286ft), to the east the Montaña Blanca, so called from its covering of light-colored lapilli. The last volcanic eruption in this area was in 1798. Teide is now in the solfatara stage, with only residual volcanic activity in the form of the sulfurous vapors at a temperature of 86°C/189°F which issue from various vents. There are four good roads leading to the cableway station at the foot of Teide. It takes eight minutes to reach the Rambleta, an old crater at