VOLCANOES TO CLIMB
Mount Teide TENE R I F E , SPAIN
Elevation: 3,718 metres Terrain: Barren moonscapes and steep-sided ridges Hiking time: 5-7 hours ascent, 3-4 descent Difficulty: Moderate. General fitness advised, but be wary of the high altitude
Said to be the dwelling place of the Devil by the island’s Indigenous Guanches people, Mount Teide is a mountain that demands respect. Its landscapes vary dramatically, from tropical banana plantations and black-sand beaches at the base to cold, lunar-like plains near the summit. Located within Teide National Park, the climb typically begins at the Montaña Blanca car park, high above the tree line. From here, the route to the top is long but steady. The trail is a rainbow of scree, taking in the so-called Teide Eggs — large lava boulders hurled from past eruptions. Higher up, the air thins and the terrain steepens. A slow, measured pace with regular breaks helps with acclimatisation as the altitude becomes increasingly noticeable. Beyond the upper cable-car station at 3,555 metres, a permit or licensed guide is required, so advance planning is essential. At the summit, sweeping Atlantic views take in the Canary Islands.
Mount Kilimanjaro ARU SHA , TANZ ANIA
Elevation: 5,895 metres Terrain: Cloud forests, moorlands and alpine deserts Hiking time: 9 days minimum Difficulty: Challenging. Three to four months of cardio, strength and resistance training is advised
Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest freestanding volcano, rises above the Tanzanian and Kenyan plains. Its cultural weight and fi ve climatic zones put it high on many climbers’ bucket lists. While it’s not technical, a slower ascent will give climbers time to adjust to dramatic changes in altitude. The nine-day Lemosho Route is considered the best. Approaching from the west, you’ll begin in cloud forest, soundtracked by colobus monkeys and birdlife, before gentler moorland treks. As you climb, giant senecio trees dot an otherworldly landscape before vegetation vanishes near the 250-metre Barranco Wall escarpment. Go steady — this is the steepest section. Beyond, a couple more overnight camps and clambers through thinning air and volcanic scree lead to chilly Uhuru Peak, where a sign covered in trekkers’ stickers marks the ‘Roof of Africa.’
From top: Measured from its base on the ocean floor, Mount Teide ranks among the tallest volcanoes on Earth; Colobus monkey are commonly seen in the montane forests on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro
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