The volcanic nature of Gran Canaria has a lot to offer to its visitors. There is a collection of routes with a wide range of difficulty levels ready to let you explore this land born from fire.
If you are interested in visiting the volcanoes of Gran Canaria we’ve prepared a thorough list of the best routes and trails available for you.
Los Marteles Caldera
One of the island’s volcanic areas you shouldn’t miss is Caldera de Los Marteles, located on the eastern surface of the mountain range at the centre of the island. Telde, Agüimes, Ingenio, Santa Lucía, San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Valsequillo are the surrounding municipalities and it also neighbours Roque Nublo Park.
A caldera is a crater left after the emptying of magma chambers in a volcanic eruption. The Los Marteles caldera is 550 metres in diameter and has a depth of 80 metres. On your way up you will experience the microclimate change as the light of the Sun gives way to a sudden wet mist originated by windward condensation. Canarian pine woods have repopulated an area also covered by the geometrical marks of farming activity; these are all characteristic physical traits of the land. Here you will find several low-level trails that can be traversed with relative ease.
Caldera and Peak of Bandama
The Bandama caldera offers so many possibilities to its visitors inside its 900 metres in diameter and 250 metres of depth. An interesting fact: This natural wonder owes its name to the Dutch merchant Daniel Van Damme, who bought the land for the production of wine in the 16th century.
The caldera and peak of Bandama together form the Bandama Natural Monument, a Protected Landscape in Tafira.
This old volcano in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been inactive for a long period of time (approximately 2000 years), and the caldera and its surroundings are perfectly safe.
Also, its proximity to the capital makes this natural formation a very comfortable visit.
Pinos de Gáldar Caldera
This caldera is located inside the Montañón Negro Natural Monument, near the town of Moya. Is one of the youngest volcanoes in Gran Canaria and its caldera reaches 150 metres in depth. There’s a fair amount of vegetation consisting primarily of Canarian Pine. Don’t miss out on the great vistas of the northern half of the island that can be enjoyed from its viewpoint.
Trails and pathways abound so the difficulty level is rather low. Descending from El Tablado, crossing the Hondo ravine and up again via Las Peñas; the last bit is a little tougher until arriving at Caballeros cave.
Montañón Negro Natural Monument
The Natural Monument is part of the Protected Landscape of Las Cumbres, and it’s encapsulated between the municipalities of Valleseco, Moya, Gáldar and Santa María de Guía. The previously mentioned area of Los Pinos de Gáldar is located inside this geological delimitation. Every aspect of the region is well preserved and of scientific interest due to its singularity.
Montañón Negro reaches 192 metres in height and its crater faces northeast.
Hondo de Fagajesto
And the route goes on. The caldera at Hondo de Fagajesto is the remnant of a relatively young volcano, dating back just to the last third of the Holocene period. Formed recently like other volcanoes mentioned on this list and scattered along a northwest to southeast axis of eruptive origin. Again, the pine is the species most commonly found in the area.
On the way from Pinos de Gáldar to Fontanales there’s a recommended detour towards Artenara you should take. It takes you through Los Morretes and lets you visit the ravines of Pavón and Galeote.
Campo Volcanes de Rosiana
A route recently promoted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria (the island’s council) as part of a plan focused on the development and fitting of several other trails. The most interesting ones have their start in Telde, and then run through El Ejido by Lomo Magullo. Campo Volcanes de Rosiana presents us with an easy to follow route with just a small 120 metres slope that extends for well more than a kilometre, so it’s comfortably doable.
The country houses scattered around the area are most interesting, especially those at El Cortijo, located at the foot of the Santidad mountain (or rather what’s left of it), and the ones at the Rosiana mountain. The predominant vegetation consists of poppies and daisies. White flower herbs are found all around, and give the area a distinctive look in spring.
The area is a treasure for geology lovers. Hiking the country among volcanic cones created in the quaternary period, walking on top of what was, once before, flowing lava; and observing volcanic traces wherever you look at.
La Isleta Volcanic Field
The Protected Landscape area of La Isleta combines very singular elements, all representative of the geology of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. They correspond to the different geologic periods the small peninsula lived through. There are numerous sea levels and seaside cliffs sculpted by centuries of erosion. In the northern area you can find the most prominent cones, all of great natural interest.
It’s also worth noting that the younger volcanoes have been awarded the Geological Interest Area by the ITGE (Geology and Mining Institute of Spain). These volcanic eruptions created a truly spectacular underwater magma formation.
As you can see, you won’t run out of options if you decide to come visit Gran Canaria and its volcanoes. Book your stay with us, and get ready to enjoy the best volcanic routes and trails of the island. Now that you know about the volcanoes in Gran Canaria, you may want to see all of them, or a good number at least. Just remember to bring appropriate footwear, durable and slip-resistant so you can traverse the millennia-old geology of the island.4
