El Teide is an active volcano in the center of the island, which of course is also the reason the island exists. It’s high, something like 3.770 if I remember right. It is possible to drive up to 3.200 and find yourself in the Teide National Park and somewhat out of breath. At that height, there’s also the lower station of the cable car which takes you even higher, almost – but not quite – to the summit, Around 3.600m. We chose this chicken method of getting up to the almost-but-not-quite level and, since we didn’t have the permit to go to the summit, this is also where we stayed. It is a government authority that gives a permit, and you have to apply months in advance (something like 8 weeks, I think). It has to do with the number of people who go up, plus I suppose they need a way to tell you to buzz off if the good old volcano goes nuclear.
There is a number of loopholes if you are late with applying. You can choose to stay in a hut (Refugio Altavista) overnight – that provides a permit to climb the summit. Or, you could just choose a moment when no one is watching the gate. Which I think is any moment at all, I saw a gate signed “permit required”, but there was absolutely nobody around to watch it. No, for reals, I hope you are not taking this as anything other than a joke. I really don’t know: maybe they will catch your butt up there and fine you a million euro for trespassing. Besides, rules are there for a reason, so try and stay safe.
In any case, if you are like me, instead of looking for ways to break the law up there, you would probably be grasping for air and fight dizziness. I am telling you, I am not exactly a 100% couch potato (although, not a fitness geek either), but thin air is a scientific fact, and body needs oxygen. As soon as I’d start doing any work, like bringing myself up three meters higher, I’d feel the altitude effects immediately: heart pounding, back of the head going cold, that sort of thing. Documentaries about serious mountaineers get a new depth of perception.
It is also cold. Like, around 0 degrees and in some places there’d be thick icicles lying on the ground. We picked a good day so there’s no wind, which can also get quite severe and bring the perceived temperature to punishing -15C. One hole next to the path is smoking though. There are some interesting temperatures there, even if you just stick your hand a little bit in. Volcanoes, eh?
Anyways, we wondered around for about an hour and headed back: there is nothing much to do there if you don’t have any specific plans.
Interesting and beautiful, yes. Hard – sort of, if you aren’t prepared. Surprisingly hard – well, if you haven’t been to higher altitudes before (this was some profound wisdom). Also, on a nice day like this, finding a spot to park is pure murder. We were lucky we had a rental, which only has to remain drivable, so we stuck it above some rocky ditch, having to drive over curbs and things. Also-also, even if you buy the cable car tickets in your town and are expecting to waltz right onto the gondola, better take a book or something else to do, because even with the tickets, the queue takes what felt like a week.
So, we’re glad we’ve gone it. Next time we’re here, we will have to try something involving a bit less waiting and a bit more hiking. By the way, if I haven’t said before: the hiking trails in Tenerife are excellently marked and kept.
Volcano trip – check!