Caldera Blanca

Caldera Blanca

One of the reasons for coming to this part of the world was to explore the volcanic regions – we were a tad disappointed to find driving around and exploring the main group in the Timafaye national park has to be done as a tour – due to limited access, its just not practical to let endless tourist do their own thing.  After a bit of research we found a walk up a volcano on the edge of the national park which was acceptable.  So that’s where we headed.  We parked the car in a cinder car park and hit the trail.  It was a slag stone heap cinder path cut through the lava fields.  The lava flows went on for miles all around us mile after mile of just black lumps and chunks of stone, some very jagged looking others having really smooth flowing surfaces.  On some of the rock a grey lichen has formed but for a great part of the landscape that is the only evidence of life.

 

the ascent begins

The day wasn’t too good weather wise – however it was perfect for this walk as full sun would have made it very hard work.  The surface under foot was difficult terrain  even when we got to the actual side of the volcano where the weather has worn it down leaving a sandy deposit in which one or two hardy species struggle to grow.  All along the path are notices explaining the different lava flows and how they build up and lava canals and tunnels form – all explaining how little rain falls in this bit of the island making survival here only for the most adaptable of plant life.  So we were surprised that when we finally ascended the main volcano and got to the stunning ridge of the caldera it started to rain!! 

I'm on the photo - right the other side...

It was incredibly windy anyway but we were quite used to that!  Our spirits not dampened we set off round the rim to get to the highest point but slowly the ridge got more and more ‘ridge like’ and to be honest I wasn’t comfortable at all.  The wind was very strong  it looked such a long way down on either side that I couldn’t look - so about half way round to the highest point I turned back – Dr Fred carried on – he has nerves of steel and obviously is much more sure footed then me.  He made the highest point and took a photo with me at the other side.

 

lichen

It is an amazing space – a huge crater – barren, deep and quite wild.  It was hard to believe how it had once been an extreme force of nature scattering the molten lava which now spreads across the island. The 360 degree views were fantastic, we could see lava flow going on endlessly – it amazes me how the locals cultivate the land – build endless little walls to protect the plants and make a living out of such bleak land. 

The ascent to the highest point had taken about 2 hours – its not a long or steep climb but its not easy underfoot and the descent was much the same although from the top we had an aerial view and spotted a different route down so it was almost a circular path.  We both agreed though that as we neared the end of the walk there may have been a seismic shift or lava slide removing the car a little further then we expected.  We certainly earned our beer and crisps that night.