Pico Viejo facts for kids
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Pico Viejo is a huge volcano found on the island of Tenerife. This island is part of the Canary Islands in Spain. It's the second tallest peak on Tenerife and in the Canary Islands. Only Teide is taller! Pico Viejo stands 3,135 meters (about 10,285 feet) above sea level. It also has a giant crater, which is about 720 meters (2,362 feet) wide.
This volcano is part of the larger Teide volcanic system. This system started forming around 200,000 years ago in the middle of Tenerife. Pico Viejo's crater is one of many smaller craters located around the main Teide volcano.
Pico Viejo's Last Eruption
Pico Viejo last erupted a long time ago, in 1798. During this eruption, it shot out about 12 million cubic meters (over 420 million cubic feet) of lava. This happened over three months! The lava created a black surface that looks different from the rest of the volcano area. This area is sometimes called the "Teide noses" because of its shape.
How to Explore Pico Viejo
You can hike up Pico Viejo from a few different directions. One way is from the road on the west and southwest sides. Another path starts near the Parador hotel. You can also reach it from Mount Teide itself.
Starting Your Hike
If you want the shortest hike from the west or southwest, you can begin at the Narices del Teide parking area. If you start from the Parador side, the trail begins right from the parking lot there. Always be prepared for a hike and check the weather before you go!
See also
- Mount Guajara
- Teide National Park
