Tour of the Centre

Santa Brígida - San Mateo - Tejeda – Artenara The previously described routes mainly follow the coastline of Gran Canaria with the occasional incursion inland to explore specific towns and villages. We have yet to penetrate the central mountain range of the island. The starting point of this tour is the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria itself. Firstly, the visitor must take the Carretera del Centro (the main road to the centre of the island), which runs between the districts of Vegueta and Triana. Five kilometres from the city we reach Tafira University Campus and shortly afterwards the Jardín Botánico Canario

(Canarian Botanicla Garden) „Viera y Clavijo“ which houses a superb collection of the island´s native flora. The garden complex, which is open to the public, is an important botanical research centre and is deeply involved in reforestation projects around the island. The main road becomes a dual carriageway some four kilometres further on, after passing through Tafira Alta. We next come to a turn-off at which will take us to the peak of the volcanic crater of Caldera de Bandama providing excellent panoramic views of the island. On the lower slopes of Bandama is the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ( Las Palmas Royal Golf Club), Spain´s very first golf club, founded over one hundred years ago by the important British colony who settled on the island at the end of the nineteenth century. The next stop on our tour is the attractive and peaceful village of Santa Brígida, noteworthy for its traditional Canarian architecture and palm tree groves. At the nearby volcanic crater of Caldea de Hoya Bravo we can contemplate a splendid example of the Dracanea draco Dragon tree species in excellent condition. A group of scientists from the island have recently descovered a new species of Dragon Tree which only grows on the island of Gran Canaria, a small number of which can be found clinging to rock faces around the island. Santa Brígida holds a popular street market every Sunday where visitors can wander around flower and vegetable stalls. A little higher now is the town of San Mateo which begins to have more of a feel of a mountain town. The town´s economy is firmly rooted in livestock and agriculture and it is a lively place to visit at the weekend when visitors from all over the island converge on its market, one of the most important in the island. The renowned San Mateo cheese is just one of the products on offer to the visitor at this event.

The road continues to climb and the scenery and flora after as we pass from one to another of the island´s three main climatic zones. The mountains become more dramatic and the sparse vegetation on the slopes gives way to the shrubs and trees typical of this area. Eventually we reach the Parador de Tejeda, which overlooks the Roque Nublo, one of the most emblematic symbols of Gran Canaria and situated at its very geographical centre.

Nearby is the island´s highest point, the Pico del Pozo de Las Nieves, some 1949 metres above sea level. The Parador de Tejeda overlooks much of the island´s pine forest cover and the area is fulll of ancient paths and tracks used originally by the native inhabitants of the islenad and later by the island´s conquerors and settlers. Many of these paths have been restored for use by walkers and they provide an excellent opportunity to contemplare the flora and fauna of the island´s mountains. Close by is the Centro de Interpretación (Interpretation Centre) de Degollada Becerra chich provides stunning views of the Caldera de Tejeda volcanic crater and cone, together with many other unique geomorphologic features which make up this dramatic setting. The Centre has a permanent exhibition devoted to the most significant natural and cultural features of the middle-western part of the island as well as guide books and other literature to inform the visitor. From the Parador we can descend to the village of Tejeda which is well known for its cakes and confectionery made from almonds. Another road leads to Artenara, the highest village on the island surrounded by pine-covered mountain peaks. From this point we can take the turn-off for the North and head fro the coast at Moya via Fontanales or via Teror and Arucas.

To reach Telde we can take the road which hugs the lip of the Caldera de los Marteles volcanic crater, 80 metres deep and with a flat 550 metres diameter at the bottom. This is the crater of a single volcano which emerged in the Quaternary era. It is also possible to reach the southern tourist area of the island by taking the road to Fataga which continues on to Maspalomas. The island´s seductive scenery is enhanced by pine forests, the Presas (reservoirs) de Chira and Las Niñas and the ever-changing views offered by the twisting and turning of the roads. Areas covered in black volcanic ash; rich red soil in

Firgas and Teror; dark grey spears of rock; rocky promontories streaked with green and ochre-coloured veins. The landscape of Tejeda, descrubed by Unamuno as a "storm turned to stone“; steep crags, hidden valleys: the variety of the scenery in Gran Canaria has to be seen to be believed. The ancient paths and tracks of the island are inter-connected in a complex spider´s web based around the four or five principal walking routes. The island´s secondary road system is similar as it is possible to link up one side of the island with another. Thus, it is possible to combine in a single day the beach with the mountains and the countryside, all of which gave their own scenery and climates, in other parts of the world separated by many kilometres from one another.

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South-Western Tour

The south of Gran Canaria can be summarised in two words: sun and beaches. The attraction of the Dunes of Maspalomas, the kilometres of golden sandy beaches, the practise of a multitude of nautical sports, and a temperate and stable climate during twelve months of the year, have all rendered Gran Canaria as the favourite holiday destination for thousands of tourists worldwide.

But the South-Western Route also awaits the visitor with a tour through the interior of the island, where more traditional flavours and rural tourism play a major role.

Starting the route from the Gran Canarian capital, take the Avenida Marítima (the Maritime Avenue), and then the GC-1 motorway which will take you to the municipalities of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Mogán and the Aldea de San Nicolás.

Santa Lucía de Tirajana

The Municipal Town of Santa Lucía de Tirajana is situated 51 kilometres from the capital of the island and lies at an altitude of 680 metres above sea level. The municipality’s extension reaches 61 square kilometres in the shape of a geographic wedge, from the central mountainous area of the island to the south-eastern coast.

In the interior zone the prevalent agricultural surroundings form part of a large oasis at the centre of the craggy slopes of Las Tirajanas Crater; formed by the rural enclaves of El Ingenio and La Sorrueda, with beautiful areas of palm trees and cultivated land.

On the south-eastern coast lie the three most important urban centres of the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, due to their great commercial and industrial development: Vecindario, Sardina del Sur and El Doctoral.

If you choose to visit to the centre of the municipality of Santa Lucía, a walk around the Fortaleza de Ansite is highly recommended. This is a natural volcanic fortification where numerous caves were previously used by the aborigines as dwellings and burial sites, and where a large amount of archaeological material has been found.

The Church of Santa Lucía, constructed in 1905, is to be found in the village square, and on a hillock. close by, in the old quarter of the municipality, is the Museum of the Fortaleza. The Museum is of great archaeological interest, since it is here that the remains discovered in the archaeological sites of the area, are exhibited. It is also possible to appreciate ethnographic and botanical elements and references to zoology. In the vicinity of the museum there is a garden where endemic flora and a variety fruit trees from around the world can be seen.

The municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana enjoys thriving commercial activity, due to the growth in its population. As a result, the area of Vecindario is one of the most important commercial references on the island.

If you would favour excursions to the natural surroundings of the municipality, a visit to the Crater of Tirajana (a space of unique scenic beauty) situated in the central part of Gran Canaria towards the southeast, is a must.

A large part of the municipality is taken up by the sea. However, throughout all its coast, it has one beach which is considered unbeatable in the practise of windsurfing: Pozo Izquierdo. This beach has been chosen as one of the main spots for holding the World Windsurfing Championships. The International Windsurfing Centre is also situated here. Next to this beach you will find the salt marshes of Tenefé, of great ethnographic value and one of the most important in Gran Canaria.

San Bartolomé de Tirajana

The Municipal Town of San Bartolomé de Tirajana is situated at a distance of 54 kilometres from the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The municipality is the biggest in Gran Canaria, with a territory of 334 square kilometres. Its mountainous landscape alternates with deep gullies which extend towards the beautiful beaches of its coastal region.

The middle and the mountain range areas of the municipality are formed by abrupt steep mountains and striking gullies such as Tirajana and Arguineguín, which limit the municipality to the east and west. In this municipality we also find the gullies of Fataga, Los Vicentes, La Data, or the Chamoriscan Gully, all of which lead out to Maspalomas.

The municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana combines beach and mountain tourism. The distance from the coast to the highest point of San Bartolomé is 40 kilometres. In the old quarter of the village stands the Church of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, consecrated.

In 1922. This church has a basilica floor-plan structure divided into three naves (defined spaces delimited by walls or columns), of which the central nave is the highest. Here we can find the Main Altarpiece, a work of art dating from 1922 by the master artist Lino Feo Ramos. The central niche of the altarpiece is occupied by the effigy of San Bartolomé (Saint Bartholomew), acquired between 1783 and 1787. The lateral naves exhibit two altarpieces from the middle of the XX century.

Nevertheless the tourist interest of the municipality is centred primarily on the coast, specifically in the area of Maspalomas, where one can find the Dunes, the Palm Tree Reserve and the Pool of Maspalomas, all catalogued as areas of Special Natural Reserve since 1994.

The Pool of Maspalomas, together with the Area of Dunes and the Palm Tree Reserve, form a group of singular geomorphic, panoramic, botanic and zoological value, unique in the Canarian archipelago. The Area of Dunes is a great mass of golden sand distributed in an irregular way and occupying a surface area of 4 square kilometres. It is the foreground to the beach, which has an extension of 5.6 kilometres. This beach is called Playa del Inglés y Maspalomas - one half of the beach is called Playa del Inglés (the English Beach) and the other half is called Playa de Maspalomas.

Also on the coast and at the beginning of Maspalomas Beach, on its western vertex is situated the 60 metre high Maspalomas Lighthouse. The project of this construction was by Juan León y Castillo.

The principal tourist urbanisations that span the coast of San Bartolomé de Tirajana are made up of hundreds of hotel establishments, combined with large commercial centres and leisure areas. San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Meloneras offer the visitor kilometres of seafront promenades where one can view the extraordinary sights which figure the southern coast of the island.

Mogán

Mogán is another primary tourist municipality situated 93 kilometres from the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It has a surface area of 172.44 square kilometres, which makes it the second biggest municipality in terms of extension, in the island. Its lowest part is situated 22 metres above sea level, whilst its highest point lies in the Sándara Mountain (1.583 metros above sea-level) in the interior of the municipality.

The outline of Mogán is characterised by wide slopes that broken by deep gullies that are born in the interior of the island and extend towards the sea. The most spectacular of these gullies are Veneguera and Mogán, where the capital of the municipality is situated and where one can appreciate the most beautiful landscapes.

Mogán possesses the largest dam of the island: La Presa de Soria. Mogán’s vegetation is primarily formed by “cardonales” and “tabaibales”, endemic plants of the island. The municipality also boasts green mountainous areas with an important mass of Canarian pine, palm tree oases and exotic fruit trees.

The beaches which spread along this coastal locality, have integrated several tourist urbanisations: Arguineguín-Patalavaca, Anfi del Mar, Puerto Rico, Amadores, Tauro, Playa del Cura, Taurito and Mogán Harbour. In all of these there are hotel and restaurant facilities bordered by avenues and walkways.

Mogán Harbour is a sailing community that, due to its unique enclave and natural beauty, is the origin of one of the most beautiful urbanizations on the island. Its marina is also a meeting point for numerous international nautical enthusiasts.

If you opt for a cultural visit, a walk through the streets of the old quarter of Mogán where one can contemplate the Church of San Antonio (built in the year 1814), is recommended. In the church one can admire a beautiful, wooden sculpted, coffered ceiling, as well as the images of San Antonio de Padua and the Immaculate Conception.

La Aldea de San Nicolás

The Aldea of San Nicolás has an extension of 139 square kilometres from the coast to the interior of the island and the municipal town lies at an altitude is 340 metres above sea-level. It is bordered on its northern limits by cliffs and gullies, and it stretches from north to south in an irregular coastal fringe of 33 kilometres. It is a considerably abrupt, high, rocky coast with beaches and small coves that correspond to the mouths of gullies and gorges.

A visit through the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás allows the visitor to appreciate the popular Canarian architecture which encompasses the old quarter of the municipal town: the stone and mud houses of the XVII and XVIII century, and the balcony houses of the XVIII century. Examples of these are the Casa del Balcón (Balcony House), the first house in the town centre, Casas Blancas (White Houses) and Casa del Corredor (Corridor House).

In the municipality the Live Museum is very popular. It is a live enactment of the Canarian culture and traditions: the crop threshing using animals, the making of bread in a traditional oven, the milking of the goats, the milk tasting with gofio (powdered corn) and the production of cheese.

The aboriginal legacy is also very important in La Aldea. In the archaeological complex of Los Caserones, a rich collection of paintings were found, as well as mud and stone symbols which, at present, are kept in the Canaraian Museum in Las Palmas.

It is recommended that you visit the old threshing areas, the water mines situated in the Barranco de Tocodomán, the four wind and water flour mills, the lime, tar and bread ovens, and the alembic for the distilling of rum, which worked from 1936 to 1958, in La Aldea Beach.

In the Aldea de San Nicolás the aeroponic crops (the cultivation of tomatoes and aubergines in the air) are unique in Europe and as such are an interesting sight.

Along the 33 kilometres of coast of La Aldea de San Nicolás stone beaches, small coves, large caves, sandy beaches and so on, intertwine. The majority of beaches have so few visitors that they are preserved intact and the natural landscape remains virtually virgin.

More routes canary islands >>> routes Gran Canaria

La ruta Norte puede subdividirse en dos itinerarios: el primero de ellos transcurre a través de los municipios del interior y el segundo recorre la costa. En ambos casos, el punto de partida puede ser la Autovía Marítima de la capital grancanaria, a la altura de la Playa de Las Alcaravaneras, a través de los Túneles de Julio Luengo que conectan con la Autovía del Norte. Pero si el visitante acude desde el Sur de la Isla, la nueva Circunvalación de las Palmas de Gran Canaria es el recorrido más rápido, ya que conecta la Autopista GC-1, a la altura del Barrio de Jinámar, con la salida Norte de la Ciudad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria en tan sólo 10 minutos, sin necesidad de atravesar la capital.