No. 25 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine
Rutas, recomendaciones y noticias de Gran Canaria. Routes, tips and news about Gran Canaria.
Rutas, recomendaciones y noticias de Gran Canaria.
Routes, tips and news about Gran Canaria.
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48<br />
DISCOVER GRAN CANARIA I DESCUBRE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN <strong>25</strong><br />
NORTH ROUTE<br />
While <strong>Gran</strong> <strong>Canaria</strong> typically conjures up images of stunning sandy beaches and kilometres of dunes,<br />
the northern part of the island reveals a wholly different reality: a coastline dominated by spectacular<br />
plunging cliffs, unpoilt beaches and natural water pools, surrounded by a much steeper orography, the<br />
result of erosion and the island's volcanic activity.<br />
This route will take us through Arucas, Firgas, Moya, Santa María de Guía, Gáldar and Agaete. We will<br />
discover the rugged north coast, plus some of the most interesting archaeological areas in <strong>Gran</strong> <strong>Canaria</strong>,<br />
delving into places such as Cenobio de Valerón, the Painted Cave of Gáldar and Maipés Necropolis<br />
as we learn of the history of our ancestors.<br />
This is so much to do on this trip around the north of the island, including strolling around the streets<br />
of the historic town centre of Arucas with its church towering over us, going for a hike around Firgas,<br />
sampling the authentic suspiros and bizcochos spongecakes in Moya, and going for a splash in the most<br />
beautiful natural water pools on the island and being seduced by the fishing environment of Agaete.<br />
1. Arucas ■ 2. Firgas ■ 3. Moya ■ 4. Santa María de Guía ■ 5. Gáldar ■ 6. Agaete<br />
Barranco La Laja. Moya<br />
1. Arucas<br />
Our first stop is at Arucas, just 12 kilometres<br />
from Las Palmas de <strong>Gran</strong><br />
<strong>Canaria</strong>, a municipality that stretches<br />
from the coast up to the hills. We begin<br />
at the town centre, in front of one<br />
of the north's most iconic settings,<br />
the Church of Arucas, which paints a<br />
picture postcard setting as it towers<br />
over Plaza San Juan. It is a neoclassical<br />
temple carved out of natural stone,<br />
featuring four large towers that<br />
capture the attention of visitors.<br />
Other architectural sites of interest include<br />
the Casas Consistoriales (council<br />
offices), the old Municipal Market<br />
building and the Casa de la Cultura<br />
(cultural centre). These can be visited<br />
together with the Casa y Jardín de la<br />
Marquesa, an enchanting, romantic<br />
and spectacular botanical garden; a<br />
brisk walk up to the Montaña de Arucas,<br />
and a visit to the Arehucas rum<br />
factory, an authentic symbol of the<br />
island, and also Salinas del Bufadero,<br />
a wonderful and splendid spectacle<br />
that nature has provided for us.<br />
We cannot leave the municipality without<br />
going for a splash in its waters,<br />
at Bañaderos-El Puertillo beach or at<br />
the natural water pools of Los Charcones,<br />
and if you wish, followed by an<br />
aperitif in the local restaurants, rounding<br />
off the perfect start to our tour.<br />
2. Firgas<br />
The small town of Firgas is linked to<br />
a natural water source, which is no<br />
coincidence, as it is characterised by<br />
rolling, narrow hills with a dense and<br />
complex ravine network that crisscross<br />
over the landscape. For this reason,<br />
hiking is one of the top tourist<br />
attractions around here.<br />
We start out at the town centre, surrounded<br />
by a good number of cultural<br />
and religious landmarks, the most<br />
emblematic of which include the San<br />
Roque Parish Church, Casa de la Cultura<br />
(cultural centre), the Town Hall<br />
building and the Commemorative<br />
Fountain, which we pass as we head<br />
along to Paseo de <strong>Canaria</strong>s.<br />
At this point we come to a series of<br />
mosaics that portray each island, and<br />
as we continue along the pedestrian<br />
street of Avenida de <strong>Gran</strong> <strong>Canaria</strong>, we<br />
cross over the water fountain downstream,<br />
on the back of which are the<br />
coats of arms of each of the 21 municipalities<br />
that make up the island, as<br />
well as the generic coat of arms for<br />
the whole island.<br />
One of the most outstanding landmarks<br />
here is the Firgas gofio cornmeal<br />
mill, which stands over the<br />
Acequia de la Heredad de Aguas de<br />
Arucas y Firgas (the region's water<br />
distribution centre) alongside the<br />
former grain storage warehouse<br />
and the miller's house. Here we are<br />
afforded panoramic views over the<br />
confluence of three majestic ravines<br />
-Las Madres, Guadalupe and Aguaje-,<br />
before moving on to the Las Madres<br />
viewpoint, on the edge of the town<br />
centre. The area spread out before<br />
our eyes is part of the Doramas Natural<br />
Park, which will stay in our memories<br />
for ever.<br />
In addition, part of the municipality of<br />
Firgas sits within the former Doramas<br />
Jungle, featuring ravines and vegetation<br />
of stunning beauty, such as the<br />
Azuaje Special Natural Reserve, the<br />
deepest ravine in the north, which is<br />
home to endemic species and one of<br />
the last remaining bastions of laurel<br />
tree forests on the island. Other striking<br />
natural spaces include Montaña<br />
de Firgas and Pico de Osorio, essential<br />
places to visit which border Firgas<br />
and provide splendid views over<br />
the capital city and the north of the<br />
island.<br />
3. Moya<br />
Villa de Moya perches over ravines<br />
and a series of hills that tumble down<br />
to the coast, giving rise to a rugged<br />
landscape with a rich cultural heritage.<br />
Our route around Moya cannot be<br />
done without a walk around some<br />
of the town's emblematic buildings,<br />
including the Church of Our Lady of<br />
La Candelaria, sitting on a cliff-edge<br />
that perches over Barranco de Moya;<br />
the Tomás Morales House Museum,<br />
containing a wide collection of the<br />
poet's work; the Heredad de Aguas<br />
water distribution centre, a magnificent<br />
piece of basalt rock, and the<br />
Hermitage of San Bartolomé de Fontanales,<br />
built in 1872. Having taken<br />
in the fine architecture, we head for<br />
the Doramas Natural Park to discover<br />
the hiking trails of Los Tilos de Moya,