Gran Canaria is a very mountainous island with a lot of relief. Hiking in Gran Canaria is an experience that will immerse you in the breathtaking beauty of the island's diverse landscapes. There are many hiking trails to choose from, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks.
One of the most popular hiking destinations in Gran Canaria is the Roque Nublo, a stunning rock formation of over 80 meters high. The trail leading up to it is a moderately difficult hike, but the views from the top worth it.
Roque Nublo is located in the center of the island, very close to the highest point: the pozo de las nieves. It can be seen from the tourist area of Meloneras on clear days. Its name, in Spanish means "Cloudy Rock". However, the area is not particularly cloudy. It turns out that this name could be a deformation of an ancient name "Roque Nugro" or "Roque Ñugro", a phonetic adaptation into Spanish of an aboriginal name that could simply mean "Rock".
Roque Nublo
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Another favourite hiking spot is the Barranco de Guayadeque, a lush valley surrounded by towering cliffs that is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. From the parking at the end of the asphalted road, there is a loop trail that is relatively easy to navigate, making it perfect for families with children or novice hikers. Along the way, you'll come across cave dwellings that have been used for centuries by the indigenous people of Gran Canaria. There are also routes with some difficulty and unevenness, that from Montaña Las Tierras in Guayadeque, go up to Caldera de Los Marteles or even to the peak of La Gora and peak of Las Nieves.
Barranco de Guayadeque
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See Barranco de Guayadeque on googlemap
The Amurga massif is a totally unpopulated mountainous area located in the southeast of the island of Gran Canaria. It is composed of deep and narrow ravines, as well as other rock formations of great beauty.
The landscape also stands out for its extreme aridity, however, there is a vegetation adapted to this climate, composed of native and endemic plants, cactus, and in general, vegetation of thick leaves. In the winter months, after the rains, this vegetation can be surprising for its exuberance, which contrasts with a rather bare landscape in the summer months. After the rains, the water runs down the ravines and forms waterfalls and pools. The area is one of the few places in the Canary Islands where it is possible to bathe in fresh water. The locals appreciate this particularity and often come to Amurga after the rains.
The area is also very rich in history, because it has not always been arid, so you can still appreciate the stony terraces that were formed after the Spanish conquest to allow the cultivation of these lands.
There are even several pre-Hispanic remains in the area, which can still be seen and must be respected with great care. It is probable that the numerous caves that this volcanic landscape has left were appreciated by the aborigines to store the harvests safely.
The rock formations are sometimes surprising. The famous "Arco del Coronadero" stands out. It is a kind of natural rock bridge, which can be crossed on foot if you do not have vertigo.
In short, Amurga is a beautiful area to visit on foot, close to the tourist areas of the south of Gran Canaria. It should be noted, however, that this is an area with no road access, so all possible precautions should be taken to avoid accidents. Trekking in the Amurga massif requires a good level of fitness and secure footing. It is advisable to be accompanied by someone who knows the area. It is particularly important to bring plenty of water and sun protection (sunscreen and hat).
Amurga
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For those looking for a more challenging trek, the Tamadaba Natural Park is a great option. This massive park covers over 7000 hectares and features rugged terrain, dense forests, and steep cliffs. One of the most impressive sights in the park is the Barranco Hondo, a deep canyon that offers views of the surrounding landscape.
Tamadaba Natural Park
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See Tamadaba Natural Park on googlemap
The Caldera de Bandama is part of a larger volcanic complex that includes several other craters and lava fields. The caldera itself is about 200 meters deep and nearly one kilometre in diameter. It is believed to have been formed nearly 5,000 years ago during a series of explosive eruptions.
Today, the caldera is covered in lush vegetation and provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors get by car up to the top of the caldera for nice views of the ocean and the island's rugged interior.
There is also a trail that goes all the way around the volcano, and another one that goes down to the lower plain, surrounded by rocky walls. The area is rich in biodiversity, with many unique plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth.
One of the most popular activities at the Caldera de Bandama is wine tasting. The fertile soil and favourable climate of the region make it an ideal location for growing grapes, and there are several vineyards in the area that produce high-quality wines.
Bandama
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Cortijo de Caldereta is an area in the north of the island of Gran Canaria, very close to Valleseco. "Valleseco" means "dry valley" in Spanish. It is a somewhat strange name because it is actually the wettest area of the island.
For this reason, when you walk around the Cortijo de Calderetas, you will be surprised by the amount of very green vegetation, which is not so common in the rest of the island of Gran Canaria.
There is a trail, of moderate difficulty that starts from the village called "Lanzarote", yes, like the island of Lanzarote, but in Gran Canaria. The trail goes around a depression called "Caldereta" to return to Lanzarote. It can be done in a few hours.
Cortijo de Calderetas
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See Cortijo de Calderetas on googlemap
The ravine of Azuaje is a little wonder of the north of Gran Canaria. It is a ravine with lush vegetation and where water continues to flow several months after the rains.
At the beginning of the ravine, near the GC-350 road, are the ruins of an old spa. It is hard to believe today, but tourism in Gran Canaria began there. At the end of the 19th century, the medicinal waters were highly appreciated among the wealthy classes of Europe, and the first tourists began to arrive to test the healing properties of the waters of Firgas.
It can be accessed from the town of Firgas or from a bend in the GC-350 road. When accessing from the GC-350 road, you have to walk less, but it is also problematic to leave the car parked. The best way to enjoy this place, if you are in good physical shape, would be to park in Firgas and walk down the hillside, as it was done at the end of the 19th century, until you reach the spa. Then, you can go up through the bottom of the ravine, until you find a path on the left that goes up again towards Firgas. If you start in the morning, you will be back in Firgas by midday. A perfect timing for lunch in one of the many restaurants in the village.
Bear in mind that there is usually water running in this ravine, and that you may end up getting your feet wet. Also, in one area where the path is very steep, a rope has been installed to help hikers. It is not very difficult, but it is necessary to be able to climb a little.
Finally, it should be noted that, as there is water and lush vegetation, this place is very appreciated by the inhabitants of the island. You should avoid going there on a Sunday after the rainy season because it could be quite crowded, a bit noisy, and you would not be able to enjoy a quiet walk.
Azuaje
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Tenteniguada is a beautiful rural village located in the heart of Gran Canaria, at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, surrounded by impressive mountain ranges and lush pine forests.
One of the main attractions of Tenteniguada is its natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy picturesque hiking trails, albeit always with a steep slope. The area is also known for its abundance of flowers, especially when the Tajinaste blooms. There is also plenty of wildlife, and bird watching is a popular pastime.
A common hike from Tenteniguada, is to go up one of the paths that lead to the Caldera de Los Marteles, and then return by another path. Be careful, the difference in altitude is about 700 metres, which is a lot. You must be in good physical shape and prepared for this type of hike. Otherwise, you can always go up as far as you can, and then go down.
Tenteniguada
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The Barranco de Las Vacas is located between the villages of Agüimes and Temisas. Near a sharp bend in the GC-550 road, is this small canyon of about 50 meters long formed by ancient streams of water that ran through the ravine, and left colourful grooves in the surrounding tuff.
This is undoubtedly a place that will amaze photography lovers. The place is ideal for taking a selfie.
It is not necessary to walk far to get there, however, there is very little space on the road to leave the car parked. For this reason it is advisable to try to avoid the hours of affluence. It is best to go very early in the morning, since anyway, being oriented to the East, the light is sufficient shortly after sunrise.
It is also a particularly hot place and, as it is frequented by people with little walking experience, incidents are common. It is best to cancel this excursion in the event of extreme heat.
Finally, be aware that, although it is usually possible to park the car near the ravine, the short walk on the GC-550 road is dangerous. The road is narrow, winding and cars tend to go at a fast speed.
Barranco de Las Vacas
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See Barranco de Las Vacas on googlemap
“Tilos de Moya” means Moya's lime trees.
The lime trees are a genus of trees of the malvaceae family, native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Los Tilos de Moya is the name given to a small wooded area in the ravine of Moya, in the north of the island of Gran Canaria, where we will find laurel and lime trees.
The laurisilva is a type of vegetation typical of cloud forests, humid and relatively warm of the subtropical zones. It is composed of large trees accompanied by lianas. The leaves are persistent, and resemble those of the laurel.
The laurel forests of the Canary Islands are relicts of the vegetation that, before the glaciations, covered most of Europe. This protected vegetation, with many species in serious danger of extinction, has found refuge in what is called "Macaronesia", a space that covers the Azores, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Savage Islands. In these islands and to some extent in some regions of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the Laurisilva forest has found shelter from the last glaciation and the subsequent desertification of North Africa.
In Los Tilos de Moya, there is a small loop trail of less than 2 km distance that will allow us to enjoy the area without much effort. Although in some areas there is a little unevenness, it is undoubtedly one of the easiest routes for families with children in Gran Canaria. In addition, the profusion of trees will give us shade and some freshness.
Tilos de Moya
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See Tilos de Moya on googlemap
"Cuatro Puertas" means "four doors". This is an archaeological site located in the northeast of the island of Gran Canaria. It consists of a main cave, another cave called Cueva de los pilares, as well as a multitude of small caves and niches interconnected by paths carved into the stone or tuff.
The main cave of the site has four openings, or four doors, hence the name. The use to which this large cave was put is uncertain. Possibly it was the place of residence of a royal family or religious leader. There is also the possibility that it was simply used for livestock or funerals. Finally, attempts have been made to relate the orientation of the doors to astronomy, with debatable results.
"Cueva de los pilares" is possibly the most impressive of the site. It consists of several rooms where daily tasks were probably carried out before the Spanish conquest.
Inside the Cueva de los pilares, you can see carved recipients, silos, niches, seats, and especially enigmatic recipients carved into the floor (More about that in the section about Cuevas del Rey).
4 Puertas
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"Cuevas del Rey" means "Caves of the king". This is an archeological site located in the centre of Gran Canaria, near Roque Bentaiga site. It is a set of caves that were inhabited by the ancient Canarian people over 1,500 years ago.
The caves are well preserved and visitors can see evidence of the way of life of the Canarian people through the artifacts and structures that have been uncovered at the site. There are numerous stone houses, agricultural terraces, and many other important archaeological finds.
One of the most impressive aspects of Cuevas del Rey is the location itself. The caves are situated in a beautiful natural setting with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and exploring the area, making the visit to this site an unforgettable experience.
In the caves of "Cuevas del Rey" we can find the famous and enigmatic recipients carved into the floor. These recipients can be seen in a multitude of archaeological sites in Gran Canaria, we will find them inside most of the caves, but also outside, in many places where it is known that aborigines lived or walked in Gran Canaria. The strangest thing is that nobody has been able to explain the reason for the carved recipients.
Cuevas del Rey
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See Cuevas del Rey on googlemap
Most of the photographs shared in this space show a radiant sun. However, it is important to remember that many hikes in Gran Canaria take place at altitude. Despite the latitude of the archipelago and the oceanic climate, at high altitude, the temperature is still typical of mountainous areas, i.e. with very abrupt changes and cold, especially in winter and at dusk.
In Gran Canaria there are companies that organize beautiful excursions with expert guides in less touristic places. Most of these companies are formed by 1, 2 or 3 people. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to avoid intermediaries such as the BIG ONLINE BOOKING PLATFORMS and hotel companies.
Commissions of 25% to 40% from booking platforms that claim to be commission-free put a dent in the morale of small businesses, in the quality of their service, and sometimes in the means of security.
It is worth spending a few minutes to find directly the person who will attend you, without intermediaries. It is a great favor for the small local business, and also for your wallet, your peace of mind, your health and your SAFETY.
Warm thanks to Pino Gonalsor and Antonio Naranjo for their contribution to the photos in this section.