No. 30 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

34
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 30
Barranco de Azuaje, a ravine trail through history and nature
By Mathias Valles
The north of Gran Canaria is home to Barranco de
Azuaje, a ravine on an abrupt landscape that forms
a natural border between the municipalities of Firgas
and Moya.
A quick glance at a map and it would seem to be
just another ravine, like many others on the island,
but nothing could be further from the truth. A section
of this ravine has been declared a protected
natural area and is home to a rich natural diversity
as well as a very interesting history.
Just a little more than half a square kilometre is
enough to house a priceless area of flora and fauna,
surrounded by a scenic beauty that is unparalleled
on the island. The fact that Gran Canaria is
an island of volcanic origin has turned this unique
habitat into a source of water springs with mineral
and medicinal properties. The waters that flow
through Azuaje are rich in iron, silicates, carbonic
gas and sodium bicarbonate, which makes them
cardio-protective waters and contain digestive and
diuretic properties, ideal for kidney and other ailments.
For this reason the site’s importance has been ever
present throughout its history, with archaeological
remains found in both natural and artificial caves,
confirming that this area was once inhabited by
Canarian aborigines, the pre-Hispanic inhabitants
of the island.
The richness of this ravine lies in its water, and always
has been. Running water can be found both
in summer and winter, something very rare on the
island, and with it begins the legend of Azuaje.
In the middle of the 19th century, according to a
local story: "a shepherd suffering from an eye and
skin disease bathed in these warm waters, and a
few days later he was completely cured".
In the face of this apparently miraculous cure, people
came from various parts of the island suffering
from various illnesses such as arthrosis, herpes, ulcers
and leprosy, some of whom were completely
cured, and others who found relief from their
illnesses. In any case, one of these springs was
baptised as Fuente Santa (Holy Spring) and this
news reached an institution dedicated to the development
of agriculture and industry at the time,
which com-missioned a specialist doctor to carry
out a chemical analysis of the springs. The results
were conclusive, the wa-ters had curative properties.
The specialist, together with his team, listed
the numerous diseases and ailments that could
be cured or alleviated by using these waters, and
came up with a project for the bathing station.
Drawn by the area’s obvious attractions, the first
tourists began to arrive, both locals and others from
as far away as northern Europe, to see the healing
properties that flowed through the various natural
water fountains in the ravine. And so, in 1868, a
small Hotel-Spa was built with 15 baths, 16 rooms, a
chapel, ballrooms and even a roof-top terrace with
a viewpoint, all set in a garden with lush vegetation.
However, following half a century of operation, the
spa was forced to close its doors around 1928 due to
health reasons, business conflicts and later circumstances
linked to the civil war, and 10 years later the
hotel did the same. Almost 90 years have passed
since that day, and today the ruins engulfed by vegetation
are the visual his-tory of what was once this
tourist-therapeutic attraction.
But the real jewel that still remains in the place in
spite of time is its flora and fauna, and the permanent
flow of water along the ravine is a source of
very lush vegetation. The last bastions of laurisilva
woodland in Gran Canaria survive at this spot, comprising
mainly different types of palm trees, willows
and reed beds. This protected area belongs to the
Doramas Rural Park and is home to more than 400
species of plants, 126 of which are endemic to the
Canary Islands. Of these, the cresta de gallo, the
Doramas rejalgadera and the white sage are species
that only grow here in this park.
Fauna is very well represented too, with species
of all orders, insects, birds, reptiles and small fish.
Highlights of the vertebrate species are the Osorio
shrew, a mammal that is endemic to the island, and
the Gran Canaria wood-pecker, the Canary Island
long-eared owl and the Canary Island eaglet. They
are all species endemic to the archi-pelago, among
the almost 50 species of this unique habitat. Other
rare and exclusive species include the critically endangered
Machado beret slug.
If you are looking to go to Azuaje, even with children,
it is better to start your walk by heading upwards
from the old Hotel-Spa located only 300
m from the GC-350 road to the area you consider
less risky, and come back the way you came. You
must also take into account that parking is limited
around this area.
There is also a picnic area about half a kilometre
from the start of the route, a good place to rest and
have some-thing to eat while you enjoy the surroundings.
Remember that the ravine tends to be
particularly wet at the begin-ning, so you should be
prepared to walk through some soggy mud.
The biodiversity that abounds around this abrupt
orographic environment, which is always green
and bordered by areas with thick vegetation, will
delight the senses of even the most demanding
nature lover.