Mount Teidi, Tenerife

Mount Teide is almost right in the centre of Tenerife and is 3718 meters high. It is the third largest active volcano and on occasions has been known to rumble a bit. In fact it did actually have a small eruption around 30 years ago which frightened a few of the locals, but the last serious eruption was in 1909.

It separates the north from the south which accounts for the difference in weather. In the north of the island the weather is much more dull and seasonal than in the south. In the winter months it is a bit like spring in England and in the summer more like Spain. In the south of the island it is summer all year round and get very, very hot in the summer months and as hot as spain in the winter months.

There is more vegetation in the north because of the Mountain shading it from the extreme heat and the winds from the Sahara Desert in the south. If you stand on the beach on a very clear day in the south you can see the coast of Africa. Many people do not realise this and treat it like spain and do not take enough protection for themselves in the sun. You can even burn in the cloudy days as well as the sun is so strong.

To reach the mountain you either need to book an excursion or hire a car. It is a very narrow windy road so if you are at all nervous take a coach excursion. It is not hard to find if you hire a car. Just head south of the main road and keep going up! . (That is a bit facetious but not too far from the truth). When you get to a certain point near the top you will have to stop and park. This is where most people stop for a coffee or a wander round the gift shop. To reach the summit you need to take the cable car, but this can be bit of a gamble as in bad weather it is closed and you will not know until you get there. The cost of the cable car is 25 Euros but worth it for the view. You can see all the other islands from here on a good clear day.
In the winter months when the snow is up there, the roads leading to it are often closed for safety reasons and even on windy days they will close it.

So for a fascinating day out try a trip to the highest mountain in Spain.