Thursday, 3rd February 2011
Driving to Las Caņadas the weather settled into a sunny day but at over 6,500 feet elevation it was rather cold. Las Caņadas is a massive collapsed volcanic crater that surrounds Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain at 12,195 feet. Lava flows and erosion have formed a variety of rock formations of varying colour and this area has featured in many films such as 'Clash of the Titans', 'One Million Years B.C.' and 'The Shawshank Redemption'. Walking beside the Roques de Garcia we dropped down to the lower crater floor dominated by the shattered spire known as The Cathedral. A zig-zagging path then took us up to the viewpoint and, with a little time to spare, I detoured up the Mount de la Roque before returning to the coach.
8 miles, 1,120 feet
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Before the coach leaves time for a quick shot of the ducklings, and ducks
The cable car running up Mount Teide
and our starting point for the walk . . .
which will take us over the small hill . . .
towards the outer wall of the crater
An easy path leads to . . .
the top of the hill
The lava flow on a nearby rise . . .
can be more clearly seen when zooming in . . .
as can the collapsed lava flow tubes . . .
in both directions
Time for a group photo
Continuing on the walk . . .
there are never ending opportunities . . .
for photos taken in all directions . . .
in the distance . . .
and close up
A variety of colours . . .
add to this amazing landscape . . .
and the group adds perspective
I am surprised to spot a few trees at this altitude . . .
and some of the rocks bring back memories . . .
of Bryce Canyon National Park . . .
in America
Walking by the Roques de Garcia we pass 'God's Finger' . . .
before finding a lava dyke . . .
and more rocks
El Teide again
A huge cow pat . . .
or another type of lava flow!
Here the lava has formed a petrified waterfall between two rocky outcrops
The sound of hammering attracts my attention . . .
to a rock climber . . .
who is busy working out his route . . .
but I don't think he would have been expecting . . .
someone to get quite so close!
'The Cathedral' dominates the crater floor . . .
and is a spectacular formation
Zooming in on the viewpoint . . .
which is far above us
Looking down on the viewpoint from Mount de la Roque . . .
over to the Parador Hotel . . .
across to Mount Teide . . .
and down to the Roques de Garcia
And a final shot of the Mount de la Roque