Timanfaya

I took a quick drive through Timanfaya National Park. It has a spectacular lunar like landscape. (Scenes from Dr Who - the movie were shot here)

The Montanas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) were created between 1730 and 1736 when more than 100 volcanoes, covering more than 50 sq km, rose up and devastated this part of the island (including several villages). The last eruptions were in 1824, however due to the low rainfall (and therefore lack of erosion) this area appears much the same as it did just after the eruptions. In 1968 the area was declared a national park.

The best time to photograph the mountains is just after heavy rain when they show up at their rusty red best. However it hardly ever rains here so its not so easy to catch them like that.

Tourists can explore the area on these camel trains.