Detour #59: Tenerife's Interior, Spain
Few holidaymakers ever get beyond the rather beautiful beaches, but keen drivers should make tracks to Tenerife’s extraordinary interior.
Like a mini European Hawaii Tenerife burst from the ocean in a volcanic moment that left the island blessed with incredible topography, one of the largest natural beaches in the world and year-round sunshine.
To experience the best of the island from behind the wheel, you could begin your journey on the coast, but with all the tourist traffic you probably won’t be enjoying yourself until you reach the grand old colonial town of La Orotava. Built on the back of the nearby plantations the historic old town, with its carved wooden balconies and courtyards is well worth some time before heading to “where the earth holds up the sky”.
Mount Teide is the 2,000m high peak of the island, the remnants of a volcanic cone that has left the valley with an abundance of life. Leave the vineyards and plantations of La Oratova on the TF21 and you will climb through pine forests before emerging into a lifeless volcanic landscape of lava fields. Follow the road around the base of the volcano and you can take cable car ride to the peak. If you dare.
Continue down towards Vilaflor or take a right onto the TF38 through more of this desolate, beautiful scenery then join the TF1 just before Arguayo and follow the TF375 to Santiago de Teide. From here it’s a seriously steep drop down to the delightful village of Masca. With a gradient of 16 per cent and a dizzying number of twists and turns it’s quite the test of nerves – and brakes. The views out towards the ocean are mesmerising, but we suggest you take advantage of the many laybys to stop and enjoy the view and keep your focus on the road when you’re driving.
After that we’ll forgive you heading for the beach for a lie down and a well-deserved cold drink.
Words Nik Berg Twitter | Instagram
Photography Iulia Laslea / Michal Mrozek / Francesco Perego / Anton Jauregui / Unsplash