Overview of Tenerife -
Tenerife is probably the most well known of the Canary Islands, it is
the largest and has the most diverse features in terms of landscape.
This volcanic island is dominated by Mount Teide, the largest peak in
Spain which rises some 3700 meters above sea level and is a landmark
throughout the archipelago. The extremes of temperature on Tenerife
are best demonstrated by the fact that during the winter months, Mount
Teide can be covered with snow whilst on the beaches below; people are
swimming and basking in the sun. Tenerife started to emerge some 5
million years ago and the whole island gravitates towards the central
mountain region. This whole area is now a national park and at its
eastern entrance, the El Portillo information centre can provide you
with information and you will also have the opportunity to join
walking tours of the area.
The park is very beautiful with an abundance of vegetation and fauna, and a
dramatic volcanic landscape, although the mountain itself can be cool,
temperatures in the park can reach as high at 40 C during the day time, and thus
suitable clothing must be taken for both extremes. Teide itself stands in a
large crater that is all that is left of a much larger volcano that erupted with
violent force approx three million years ago. The mountain is stunning to look
at and leaves most people in total awe; it is perhaps the most prominent feature
of the Canary Islands and may be in the whole of Spain. The only practical way
to reach the summit is by “El Teleferico” Cable Car. The car journey starts at
2350 meters and finishes at 3550 meters. The trip lasts just under ten minutes
and often you will be surrounded by clouds which should start to give way just
before the summit to reveall the bluest of skies and the mountain in all of its
majesty.
The actual summit of Mount Teide is an extra 160 meters above this point and it
can be reached on foot; however to complete the journey, one of the local guides
will have to accompany you. An Iron Cross marks the summit and from this point
you should be able to see the other islands that make up the Canaries. On a
clear day you will be able to look out over the Atlantic Ocean and see the coast
of Africa. Alas it is not always possible to make the journey to the peak, often
the wind is too strong or it may even be snowing, at these times it is too
dangerous to make the assent and the car service will be suspended.
The rest of Tenerife consists of the hot and dry southern area where most of the
well known resorts are located, this area is pretty much devoid of anything that
is worth seeing and the Northern Area which is far greener and here you will be
able to see many old style colonial villages and towns. This whole Northern
Areas is more cosmopolitan in nature and here you will find the best of
facilities coupled with quality shops, and restaurants similar in nature to what
is expected on mainland Spain. Because of these excellent facilities, many
people choose to purchase their Holiday Home in this part of the Island People
have been coming to Tenerife for over a 100 years and it is an immensely popular
place to visit. There is always something to do regardless of the weather and in
common with the rest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife escapes the harshness of
the winters that we so know and love in Northern Europe. If Tenerife does lack
anything, then it is beaches, here there is little evidence of the fine golden
sands that are found on Furteventura, however this doesn’t stop people from
sunbathing on the black ash sands and Tenerife has more than enough other charms
to compensate for this.
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Guide to Tenerife, Spain
