OBSERVATORIO DEL ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOS

This observatory is a must to visit absolutely! First for the site itself, magnificent, with a breathtaking view of the Caldeira de Taburiente National Park and its vast crater 10 km of visible diameter 900 m lower. Some points of view are also accessible from the road that rises to the observatory (Los Andenes Mivel). Hiking paths offer other possibilities for discovery for the walkway from the very top of the mountain, above the last cupola of the observatory. Located at 2 400 m above sea level, this observatory consists of a dozen instruments administered by the Canary Astrophysics Institute and operated by many European countries. It is caught up in: William Herschel telescopes (4.2 m diameter), Isaac Newton (2.50 m), Mercator (1.20 m), Nordic Optical Telescope (2.50 m), Telescopo Nazionale Galileo (3.58 m), suntower, dedicated telescopes to the observation of gamma rays… and of course the grantecan (Gran Telescopio Canarias), a "monster" of 10.4 m in diameter among the world's largest! These instruments are operated by various countries, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy… and Spain. The tours organized allow access to the main facilities according to possible maintenance (inquire beforehand). Because of the altitude, warm clothes should be taken to avoid any bad surprises once there. The road to climb up there is extremely winding and the journey from the coast takes about 1:15. Any bad weather on the road is not at all indicative of the fact that it will happen once again: you may even "cross" the clouds over the laces, before emerging from the sea of clouds and enjoying a beautiful blue sky.