Walking in Tenerife - Los Roques, Mount Teide |
A short cicular walk around the stunning rock formations of "Los Roques".
Grade: |
Easy |
Distance: |
3.5km |
Altitude Gained: |
<100m |
Duration: |
~1 hour |
The
product of an ancient volcanic dyke, eroded by the weather, Los Roques is one of
the must-see features on Tenerife's Mount Teide.
Whilst many visitors manage little more than to climb the steps of the closest
rock formation, there is infact a short circular walk that allows easy views of
the whole feature.
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Above: A classic view of Los Roques with Mount Teide in the bacground, Tenerife.
© Mat & Niki Adlam-Stiles, 2011
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Circular tour of Los Roques:
The Parador del Teide is a (very) popular stopping place for visitors to the
Teide National Park. Immediately opposite is one of the key features - Los
Roques. At peak times you may find the site rather overcrowded, but early
morning and early evening, when the light is at its best, it is an excellent
place for a short walk.
At the far end of the Los Roques car park there is a turning circle, with the
main rock formations to your right. Whilst climbing the steps on the
sadly-eroded main formation is fun, our path head to the right just before it,
and climbs very gently and it meanders its way along the Western edge of the
impressive outcrop, with Mount Teide always ahead of you.
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As you approach the end of the rock formations, the path swings left, passing a
route on your right to the Pico Viejo and Teide's summit. Keep left on a
less-clear, rocky path that drops to the foot of Los Roques, and crosses the
lava field below. The path is marked by a series of small cairns.
Worthy of note is the excellent flow of Pahoehoe lava that has spilled over the
edge of Los Roques.
As you traverse the far side of the small valley and pass the Pahoehoe flow, the
path crosses the lava field to return closer to the foot of Los Roques.
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Above: Los Roques with Mount Teide in the background,
Tenerife
© Mat & Niki Adlam-Stiles, 2011
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A short distance further on
the path forks ahead of a large rocky
outcrop. Left here climbs steeply to regain the car park. The right
turn part way up will take you to an excellent view point and is a worthy
detour.
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