SATURDAY

24 OCTOBER

IN SEARCH OF THE OLIVE GROVE

Impressive views of the south of the island will welcome us to a route that runs between ravines and an ancient volcanic caldera.

We will start our journey from the Temisas Astronomical Observatory, where we will enjoy the views towards the towns of Agüimes and Vecindario, La Fortaleza, which is considered one of the most relevant archaeological sites of the island, and the Macizo de Amurga massif, of great archaeological and landscape value. From there, we will begin a slight ascent that will take us to the upper part of the Temisas village, a picturesque hamlet that has been recognised as a Representative Hamlet of the Canary Islands and where one of the most important olive groves in the Canary Islands is located.

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TECHNICAL DATA

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY:

medium-low

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY:

medium-low

TRAIL TYPE:

Linear

DISTANCE:

7 km

DURATION:

3:30 h

CUMULATIVE ELEVATION GAIN:

271 m

CUMULATIVE ELEVATION LOSS:

492 m

We will continue our route by changing sides and heading for the Caldera de Tirajana, which will offer us a volcanic landscape that is very characteristic of this southern area. We will walk through arid ravines along a path that will lead us to the Cruz del Siglo, literally the Century Cross, which dates back to the 19 th century. From there, we will go down to the village of Santa Lucía de Tirajana to continue along the S47 path towards Ingenio de Santa Lucía, where we will end our journey in the charming La Longuera de Tirajana rural guest house.

This enchanting guest house, Casa Rural La Longuera de Tirajana, will be the final venue on our journey. There, we will enjoy outstanding views of the characteristic palm groves of Santa Lucía de Tirajana. The corners of this typical Canarian farm house, which dates back to 1865, still preserves the echoes of its traditional agricultural past. We will have the chance to taste some of the local products while admiring the peacefulness of nature and the sound of the palm trees swaying in the breeze.

After the tasting, we will take a 20-minute guided walk of approximately to the bus pick- up point and we’ll return to the initial meeting point.

La ruta incluye

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 Notice:

Due to the current situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, we at Gran Canaria Natural & Active, the association responsible for organising the 'Gran Canaria Walking Festival' have been forced to cancel the food tastings we had planned at the end of each route in the stated tourist establishments, so as to comply with current regulations banning social gatherings and celebrations of more than 10 people.
However, the organisation will still offer all participants a snack-type lunch every day of the event during each of our routes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This trail runs through a dry and arid area, so some rocky sections and suspended dust is to be expected. Our last descent will take us through some sandy areas. It is recommended to carry water and wear lightweight clothes. This route is suitable for people over 12 years old.

After tasting the local cuisine at the Casa Rural La Longuera de Tirajana, we will take a 20-minute guided walk of approximately to the bus pick-up point and we’ll return to the initial meeting point.

INTERESTING SPOTS

Temisas Astronomical Observatory

The Astronomical Observatory of Temisas is located at an altitude of 900 metres, on the hill leading to the valley of the village of Temisas, looking towards Santa Lucía de Tirajana, inside an old plant that was granted by the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica to be used as observatory. This place also offers an impressive view of the Caldera de Tirajana, the peaks in the southern side of the high mountain region of the island, the Bahía de Gando bay and the whole village of Agüimes, from the coast of Arinaga to Temisas.

Cruz del Siglo

The so-called Cross of the Century is located in Las Hoyas, in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana and was placed there at the turn of the century, as a way of welcoming the new century. It was ordered by Pope Leo XIII as a symbol of Christianity. In another of the highest points at the limit of the Caldera de Tirajana, there is another Cruz del Siglo, located only 800 m away from the first cross. Both are visible from many different spots in the valley and their dimensions are similar, reaching 5.40m high x 3.44m wide.

Caldera de Tirajana

The Caldera de Tirajana is a large erosive depression of about thirty-five square kilometres. Its origin lies in the successive displacements that have taken place in the area. This caldera occupies a large area in the south of the island and is home to many villages, beaches and pine forests.
This large territory extends from the sea to the summit and from the Barranco de Balos ravine to the Barranco de Arguineguín ravine. To the north, the summit is interrupted by the well-known Riscos de Las Tirajanas cliffs and to the south the ocean meets long sandy beaches.

Amurga

This massif has a great scenic and cultural value for the history of Gran Canaria. It is located between the ravines of Barranco de Tirajana and Barranco de Fataga, and has a great variety of vegetation. Within this massif, there are a number of outstanding archaeological sites and certainly some of the most unusual archaeological ensembles on the island. They embody some of the most complex and spectacular archaeological sites, traditionally considered as a place of worship for the island's ancient aborigines. In different areas of Amurga, there are funeral elements and different aboriginal constructions.