San Antonio Volcano

I remember seeing a geological TV programme about this place, and being really impressed by the volcano walk high above the sea below. The highest point is about 660 metres above sea level. This volcano last erupted about 200 years ago and the inside of the crater is slowly being colonised by the endemic pine species (Pinus canariensis). Looking south from here there is another volcano cone from the most recent eruption in 1971.

The truth, however, is more mundane. You drive almost to the top of the volcano, and there is a privately run visitor centre and a man in a booth waiting to relieve you of a fee for parking your car. It was a bit tacky, which is not typical of this island which is generally sensitively and sympathetically developed for us tourists.

Still we had a good day, we spent some time in the heat of the afternoon in the pinewoods below the huge caldera in the middle of the island while Wifie did some painting and I botanised. We visited the volcanoes in the cooller late afternoon.