Pico Viejo
Pico Viejo is a volcano located on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). It is the second highest peak of Tenerife and the Canary Islands (after the Teide) with a height of 3,135 m above sea level, a huge crater approximately of 720 metres in diameter.
The volcano is part of the Teide volcanic complex, which began forming about 200,000 years ago in the centre of Tenerife. Its crater is one of the satellite craters around El Teide.
It erupted in 1798, and it is estimated [by whom?] that it ejected around 12 million m³ of lava over three months forming a black coloured surface, which is different from the rest of the volcano area, which are known as the Teide noses.
Climbing routes
Pico Viejo can be climbed from several sides:
- From the road in the west and south-west. There are several different starting points.
- From the hotel Parador.
- From Mount Teide.
The shortest approach from the west and south-west side is if you start from the parking Narices del Teide. You will need around three hours from the road to the crater.
From the Parador side, the route starts at the parking and you will need three hours.
You can access Pico Viejo from the Teide direction as well, regardless if you climb the mountain or you use the cable car.
References
- Geology of the Teide
- Pico Viejo - Route description on Mountains for Everybody.