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.
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 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.
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 |
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 |