We want to introduce you to one of the most important geological treasures in the Canary Islands: Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria. This unique rock formation is comparable to other natural slopes such as Roque Nublo.
In recent years, Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria has gained great popularity among locals and tourists, who come every day to discover this beautiful place. Would you like to find out why?
Barranco de las Vacas: A Geological Treasure
Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria is made up of a series of rock formations that have been shaped over thousands of years by the force of flowing water, becoming a true geological treasure that takes your breath away with its unusual shapes and colours.
Many tourists and locals often compare it to Antelope Canyon, located in the USA, due to its similar appearance.
But do not be fooled by the appearance of this canyon! Las Vacas, also known as Las Tobas de Colores, is 50 metres long and can be explored in a short amount of time.
How to Get to Las Vacas
This geological gem is located in the south-west of Gran Canaria, between the picturesque villages of Agüimes and Temisas. There are several options for reaching the Las Vacas trail, but you will need to be especially careful when looking for it on the map, as information about this destination is not always easy to find.
To access Barranco de las Vacas by car, take the GC-550 road until you reach kilometre 14. You should know that there are not many parking spaces at this destination, so we recommend arriving early to avoid any setbacks.
If you are not planning to rent a vehicle or go in your own car, you have the alternative of taking public transport. To do this, you will need to take bus or guagua line 34, as buses are called in the Canary Islands, and get off at Cruce de los Corralillos to reach the trail. From there, you will need to walk around 4 km to reach the entrance to Barranco de las Vacas.
Tips for Visiting Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria
Before starting your adventure through Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria, we want to give you a series of tips so that you can make the most of this surprising place.
Arrive Early
Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria has become a real social media phenomenon, especially on Instagram. If you search for #barrancodelasvacas, you will see that it has more than 5,000 posts from different users who have visited this geological treasure and taken their photos there.
If you want to be one of the lucky ones to discover the Las Vacas trail, we suggest arriving early to avoid any crowds that may form.
What times are best? First thing in the morning or mid-afternoon, when the sun is beginning to set. At both times, visitor numbers drop considerably, making it a good opportunity to enjoy Las Vacas calmly and take photos without any problems.
Wear Comfortable Footwear
Although the length of Barranco de Las Vacas is not comparable to other emblematic routes on the island, such as the Caldera de Bandama with its 400 metres of rocky elevation gain, or the 12 kilometres of hiking along the Ruta de las Presas, we suggest wearing comfortable footwear and clothing so that you can enjoy this unique natural setting with complete ease.
Check the Coordinates
Remember that, in this particular case, map app directions may not have completely accurate information when you search for the name of this Barranco Las Vacas trail.
Visit Other Places in the Area
If you are used to doing all kinds of routes, the 50 metres of hiking through Las Vacas in Gran Canaria will take you no more than 5 minutes to cover in full. That is why we recommend preparing an itinerary with different alternatives near Barranco de las Vacas, so you can make the most of the day and enjoy a complete plan for an unforgettable experience.
Gran Canaria has plenty of spectacular landscapes and beautiful corners to explore from north to south. Discover them all!
Discover the Picturesque Town of Agüimes
If you are organising a travel itinerary to visit Barranco de Las Vacas in Gran Canaria and do not know what other places to add to your adventure, we suggest including a full tour of the charming municipality of Agüimes.
The picturesque municipality of Agüimes has surroundings well worth discovering, such as Barranco de Guayadeque, which stretches for 15 km, and the beautiful Playa El Cabrón, which has one of the most spectacular seabeds on the entire Canary Island, which you can explore if you feel like diving in its waters.
Another of the places you should discover if you decide to explore the municipality of Agüimes are its two main coastal and inland towns: Arinaga and Agüimes.
In Arinaga, you can enjoy the best water sports, while in Agüimes you can spend a day in a more urban setting, exploring its beautiful historic quarter.
Visiting Barranco de las Vacas in Gran Canaria is a perfect excursion to discover one of the island’s most surprising geological landscapes. In addition, you can take advantage of the visit to discover Agüimes, Barranco de Guayadeque or the coast of Arinaga, completing a day full of nature and culture.
If you are organising your trip and looking for accommodation in Gran Canaria, Lopesan Hotel Group has hotels in the south of the island from which you can plan excursions, hiking routes and visits to some of the most impressive places in Gran Canaria, combining rest, nature and beach during your holidays.
