Queen's Shoe Rock

Step out of the car and the name explains itself: the rock rises in the outline of a high-heeled shoe. Behind it, the summit of Teide fills the skyline, and few places in the park put a strange rock and the peak into one frame as easily.

A short walk up from the car park, the viewing platform widens the view over the other rock formations scattered across the volcanic ground. After dark the place changes use. Stargazing tours set up telescopes in the car park, and on a clear night the Milky Way stands overhead with the dark bulk of Teide below it.

• Cars left here have been broken into. Take cameras, cash and bags with you, and leave nothing in view.
• There are no toilets and no drinking water at the rock, and none nearby. Bring water with you.
• The path up to the viewing platform crosses rough ground; wear sturdy shoes.
• It gets cold here after dark, however warm the coast was. Bring warm layers for sunset or stargazing.

You arrive by car on the TF-21, the road through Teide National Park. The car park lies right beside the rock, and a second one sits about 260 m away in a straight line if the first is full. From the car park it is a short walk up over rough volcanic ground to the viewing platform.

The nearest bus stop is Boca Tauce, about 2.2 km away in a straight line, so arriving by bus leaves at least that distance to cover on foot.

Best: early morning, late afternoon, or after dark on a clear night.

Avoid: the middle of the day.

Low sun throws shadow across the rock and gives the shoe its shape, while midday light over bare volcanic ground is flat and there is no shade to stand in; after dark the sky over the park is dark enough for stargazing, but the temperature drops hard, so come dressed for it.

The rock stands inside Teide National Park, and the park's rules apply here. Keep to the path and the viewing platform, do not climb the rock formations, and leave stones, plants and soil where they are. Flying a drone in the park needs authorisation from the park authorities.