No. 25 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

22
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 25
Sardina del Norte
The wildest and most adventurous side to Gran Canaria
By Mathias Valles
When we think of Gran Canaria, the first things
that spring to mind are its idyllic beaches and
warm climate, but what many tourists don't realise
is that when it comes to the coastline, the island
has two very different sides to it. On the one
hand is the south coast, which is characterised by
golden sandy beaches and a more intense tourist
atmosphere with destinations such as Maspalomas
or Playa del Inglés, ideal for those looking for
a more festive and lively atmosphere, with a wide
variety of bars, restaurants and shops at their disposal.
On the other hand, there is the north coast,
the wilder and more adventurous side of the island,
with a wide variety of hiking trails that will
take you through forests, mountains and valleys,
revealing the true essence of the island to those
who love walking and exploring. Here, visitors will
encounter many sandy beaches and volcanic rock,
where every nook and cranny seems to be tucked
away under towering cliffs while lush scenery invades
the surrounding countryside.
Although it is located right at the heart of the city
centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Canteras
beach is the most famous beach in the north, and
it's not hard to see why - stretching for over three
kilometres, the beach offers a vibrant, cosmopolitan
atmosphere, with numerous restaurants,
shops and bars, all just a short walk from the sand.
However, if you're looking for a quieter experience
away from the tourist hustle and bustle, the north
coast has much more to offer. The municipality of
Gáldar in particular has good examples of this. The
town of Sardina del Norte, in this municipality, is
ideal for those looking to relax and enjoy nature in
its purest state. Furthermore, water sports enthusiasts
will find this area to be a virtually untouched
paradise.
Sardina del Norte, a small village packed full of
history, tradition and undeniable beauty
In the middle of this rugged coastline, next to banana
plantations and with the crashing waves of
the sea as a backdrop, this particular coastal village
has a lot to boast about and great stories to
tell.
Two major events have marked the history of Sardina
del Norte. One was the role it played in the
conquest of the island by the Castilians. When our
European ancestors tried to conquer the island, it
was divided by the ancient settlers into two kingdoms:
the most important was based in what is
today the town of Gáldar, and therefore, Sardina
del Norte was considered key, strategically speaking,
for the conquerors. Taking over the area now
occupied by Sardina del Norte was the ideal way
to control the political centre of pre-Hispanic Gran
Canaria. And indeed it was, as following the conquest
of the island, the first capital of Gran Canaria
was located in Gáldar under the name of Villa
de Santiago de Gáldar .
Some years later, on 11th August 1492, just off the
coast of Punta de Sardina, Admiral Christopher
Columbus ordered one of his caravels, La Pinta, to
stay in Gran Canaria for a week for repairs to be
made to its damaged rudder, while he proceeded
with the other vessels La Santa María and La
Niña to the island of La Gomera. There he would
reunite the three vessels, ready to embark on an
adventure that would prove to be transcendental
for mankind. As a tribute, there is a monolith just
a few metres from the Playa del Muelle beach.
A few centuries have passed since these events,
but the attraction of this place and the surrounding
areas has endured over time. The Sardina
Lighthouse stands tall above the surrounding
landscape. This red and white sentinel has witnessed
how the area has improved considerably
in recent years. Incredible sunsets can be enjoyed
from this point, and visitors can also visit the Farrallón,
a rock in the middle of the sea, a natural
volcanic sculpture constantly battered by the
waves. There are also several attractive beaches
nearby to discover, such as Raqueta or Martorell
beach, a 30-metre wide cove with calm waters
and surrounded by banana trees.
All along the coast there are several natural ponds
and pools, such as the Barranquillo del Vino or the
Punta del Faro pool, that can be spotted at low
tide. Access to the beach of the same name is
also possible by using some photogenic wooden
rungs set into the rock walls.
The greenish blue tones of its waters have made
this area one of the most highly acclaimed places
for sport diving enthusiasts. The underwater
depths present a varied typology in quite a reduced
area, featuring plains of sebadales; sandy
and rocky bottoms with white areas, as well as
caves, arches and rocky walls with reef-type
structures. These sea beds are of great biological
and fishing interest, as they are home to very
particular and important fauna communities and
species. The highlights here are jewel anemones,
balanids and various types of marine sponges.
Within the fish community, the garden eel, the
comber, the bogue and the ornate wrasse are also
common, while the presence of species such as
the loggerhead turtle is also very popular in this
area.
Public awareness is vital if we are to continue to
enjoy this special - and at the same time fragile -
ecosystem, which coexists in perfect balance and
in which some human activities could pose a serious
risk to its survival.