Gran Canaria: High Peaks Road Trip
I once again ventured away from my beautiful beach, this time to explore the middle of the island with its volcanic mountains and craters. Juan, the owner of the property management company of my apartment***, recommended Bruno*** as a guide. What a treat he turned out to be. He is a native Gran Canarian who specializes in showing off his beloved island and I feel very lucky that he agreed to take me & one other solo traveler on an excursion. I must say, he shared the history and geography with so much passion and love as if he were leading a group of 20. This day was a very fun gift.
***Juan’s Work & Holiday Homes in Playa Las Canteras: https://www.livinglascanteras.com/
***Bruno’s company: Tour to Bandama, High Peaks of Gran Canaria, & Roque Nublo https://tripgrancanaria.com/en/gran-canaria-routes/tour-bandamahigh-peaks-gran-canaria-roque-nublo
We started at the Bandama Volcan to see views of the crater.
We then stopped at the lovely San Mateo village to visit the farmers market, shop their local products, (yes I bought wine) and have a coffee break at a yummy outdoor cafe. The flowers blooming along the main streets where just lovely.
**more pictures in the gallery below
Leaving there we drove up to the Summit of Gran Canaria, named “Pico de las Nieves,” the second highest point of the island which reaches 1959m/6,427ft. From this viewpoint, we enjoyed stunning views of Roque Nublo and behind it, we could see all the way to the snow covered peak of Mt. Teide, Tenerife (the island & volcano of my first adventure in December).
Next on the list we hiked to enjoy closer views of Roque Nublo, a huge basalt rock monolith more than 65m/213ft high, which arose as a result of volcanic activity and erosion. This Natural Monument is one of the most representative icons of the Canary Islands and, more specifically Gran Canaria. It is located in the municipality of Tejede and it is the 2nd highest point on the island at 1813 meters/5948 feet. Moreover, Roque Nublo and its surroundings were declared a Special Natural Area in 1987. If you look closely, the rocks surrounding Roque Nublo take on characters. You can clearly see the frog closest to the Roque, and then the chicken (as Bruno called it); and the monk.
Parador Nacional de Cruz de Tejeda (Tejeda State Hotel) located on what is known as the Cruz de Tejeda (Tejeda Cross) is the picturesque center of the island famous for a carved stone cross that marks the top of a pass (at 1580m/5183ft). The hotel is a small establishment that has one of the best views in all Gran Canaria, an obligatory stop for trekkers venturing into the colossal relief of the island’s mountain area. Bruno insisted we must experience this viewpoint and it did not disappoint.
Our tour ended in Teror, a charming village with the Basilica of Lady of the Pine, with wine and tapas.
