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Mount Teide is just staggering and a must do on your visit to Tenerife

Mount Teide or Pico del Teide in Spanish, is the enduring image of the Island of Tenerife, as well as been the highest peak in Spain climbing to 3,718 metres.

While it is classed as a dormant volcano, activity is as recent as 1909 when it had its last eruption, though it's been quite ever since apart from the occasional rumble.

It's place in history is only a bit part however, as Christopher Columbus reported seeing an eruption in 1492 when he sailed past on his way to the new world, he took it for a good omen, while his fellow sailors took it as bad.

With hindsight, I'll leave that for you to decide.

However, Mount Teide is still considered as the 13th most dangerous volcano in the world, though mainly due to its proximity to several major towns and the nearby city of Puerto de la Cruz rather than the likelihood of it erupting, but you can never tell!

The debris of previous eruptions litter the surrounding slopes, and it is often referred to as a lunar moonscape because of its baron, dusty appearance.

In fact several famous films have used the backdrop of this unique alien like landscape of Mount Teide, including Planet of the Apes and Star Wars to name but two.

Pico del Teide and it's surrounding area makes up the Parque Nacional del Teide. The park has an enormous coverage of 18,900 hectares and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in June 2007.

Despite the inhospitable nature of its location, Mount Teide is very busy place as one of Tenerife's foremost attractions.

Due to its unique features Mount Teide remains a MUST DO whenever you visit Tenerife.

It can be accessed by road if you're using a hire car, alternatively TITSA run a daily bus service, but in the winter the weather can affect access.

If you want to go to the peak, you have a choice of either a trek which may take about 3 hours, you need to be reasonably fit. Otherwise the cable car (Teleferico)which takes you almost to the top in a mere 8 minutes.

However permits are required to scale the final 163 metres as it is quite steep and the rocks can be loose.

Only if you're an experienced walker should you venture from the well worn footpath, but ensure you have plenty of water, sun glasses and a sun hat with you.

But beware, an extra jumper is strongly recommended at the peak as it is significantly colder up there than at sea level, and take it easy, as the rarefied atmosphere makes it hard work.

If you do venture to the top, the whiff of sulphur escaping out of smoke holes some 50 metres across reminds you just what your standing on.

However, once there it is well worth it, truly SPECTACULAR! An experience that shouldn't be missed with views across the archipelago to Gran canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, breathtaking, in more ways than one.

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