Gran Canaria Walking Festival

28 / October / Route 2

“Ansite Yesterday and today” route

Friday

28 October

“Ansite Yesterday and today” route

Preserved throughout history, under the protection of La Fortaleza, we will embark on a journey through time in the Caldera de Tirajana, to finish in one of the most picturesque villages in the interior of Gran Canaria.

We begin this second day of hiking in one of the most important archaeological sites on our island, La Fortaleza, in the southeast interior of Gran Canaria. This site has proved to be one of the areas with the longest and most extensive indigenous history on the island.

For a time, this area was named Ansite, the place where the leader Bentejuí surrendered to the Castilian troops on 29 April 1483. Nowadays, research has located it in Los Sitios (San Bartolomé de Tirajana). We will go on a route to learn not only about the last episode of the conquest but also about how the aborigines of the Canary Islands used to live.

After a visit to the interior of La Fortaleza, which witnessed the surrender of the ancient Canary Islanders, we will set off on our way to the opposite side of the ravine.

Book your Trail

TECHNICAL DATA

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY

Low

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY:

Medium - Low

TRAIL TYPE:

One-way

DISTANCE:

8,5 km.

DURATION:

4 h

CUMULATIVE ELEVATION GAIN:

600 m+

CUMULATIVE ELEVATION LOSS:

420 m-

10 %
tramo urbano - urban section - STADTGEBIET

60 %
pista forestal - forest track -FORSTWEGE

40 %
sendero - path - WANDERWEGE

This route will allow us to learn about the different ways of life on our island, from the nomadic and pastoral life using caves as temporary settlements, to the sedentary lifestyle established in the hamlets of El Sitio de Arriba and El Sitio de Abajo. After a 6 km walk, we will come across the Palmeral del Ingenio de Santa Lucía, an oasis of palm trees that provides shelter from the intense sun refracted by the red stone of the Cuenca de Tirajana. On this day, we will dive into culture and history, on a full journey through the bowels of one of the most arid ravines of Gran Canaria.

Only 1 km from the village of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, we will stop at a small farmhouse dating back to 1865, where we will have a tasting and continue on our way to the village, cradle of Oil and Honey, symbols of the traditional agriculture of the area.

The tasting of local products will take place at the lovely Casa Rural La Longuera de Tirajana, a house set in a rural environment offering outstanding views of the characteristic palm groves of Santa Lucía de Tirajana.

THIS ROUTE INCLUDES:

Civil liability insurance
Accident insurance
Picnic
Guided route and interpreter of the natural, ethnographic and cultural values of the island
Transport to and from the start and end points of the route (from Las Palmas G.C or Playa del Inglés)
Specialised guided tours in several languages
Snack-type lunch

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This route is easy, but it is still important to highlight certain aspects such as the high level of sun exposure during the day, as this area of the island offers scarce vegetation and very little shelter in the shade. What’s more, we would like to point out that some of the downhill sections have an extra point of difficulty due to technical aspects of the terrain.

After the tasting on the outskirts of the town of Santa Lucía, we will follow a 1 km path to the transport pick-up area.

Finally, as on all the routes, you must bring water, at least 2 litres for this itinerary, sun protection and a hat, and be aware of the weather forecast, in order to have waterproof clothing if necessary.

Accompanied minors from 16 years of age can participate. It is nevertheless important to consider the duration of the routes.

INTERESTING SPOTS

La Fortaleza, el Mirador Presa Sorrueda (viewpoint), El Sitio de Arriba, el Palmeral de Ingenio, Santa Lucía de Tirajana.

Casa Rural La Longuera de Tirajana

La Longuera de Tirajana is a traditional Canarian house located in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, in the southeast of Gran Canaria. It is located within a property with vegetable gardens and fruit trees, offering wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. The house was built in 1865 and has recently been refurbished and decorated.

PICK-UP

TIME	MEETING POINT
07:00 h	Alfredo Kraus Auditorium- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
07:20 h	Tourist information Office, next to the CC Yumbo Centrum- Playa del Inglés

Arrival

TIME	MEETING POINT
16:30 h	Alfredo Kraus Auditorium- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
16:15 h	Tourist information Office, next to the CC Yumbo Centrum- Playa del Inglés