No. 32 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

28
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 32
Fataga
A treasure of the mid-altitude hills of the island
By Mathias Valles
Spending a day exploring Fataga is a travel experience
not to be missed. From the moment the
journey begins until our arrival at this enchanting
destination, every moment offers an opportunity
to revel in the natural and cultural beauty that this
little village has to offer.
The majestic mountains that come into view from
the road at the start of the journey to this picturesque
town provide a backdrop to the exciting
adventure that awaits travellers on this voyage of
discovery.
Fataga, which belongs to the municipality of San
Bartolomé de Tirajana, is less than half an hour
from Maspalomas, one of the top tourist destinations
in Europe. This strategic location thus makes
Maspalomas the ideal starting point from which
to begin our journey to our destination of whitewashed
houses, red-tiled roofs and narrow cobbled
streets, set in one of the most impressive natural
environments on the island.
The landscape surrounding Fataga is characterised
by its lush vegetation, and includes magnificent
palm groves, endemic plants and juniper trees in
the surrounding area.
Just 10 minutes into of our drive along the GC-60
road, we come to the fascinating Mundo Aborigen
theme park. This place allows visitors to immerse
themselves into the life of the first inhabitants of
the archipelago 2,000 years ago. The site offers
recreations of everyday scenes and more than 100
life-size figures. Mundo Aborigen is a proper openair
museum that combines learning about pre-Hispanic
culture with breathtaking views.
Five minutes further along the route is the Degollada
de las Yeguas Astronomical Viewpoint. This is an
obligatory stop from where visitors are treated to
what some call the "Gran Canyon de Gran Canaria",
an area estimated to be between 11 and 12 million
years old. By day, the viewpoint offers a breathtaking
panorama of the island, ranging from the golden
Maspalomas Dunes on the coast to the highest
peaks inland, connected by this deep stony gorge
that is sure to impress all visitors. At night, this viewpoint
becomes a first-class star-gazing observatory,
offering an exceptional view of the sky without
the need for optical instruments, a perfect stop for
those who are passionate about the celestial vault.
Continuing our journey for a further eight minutes,
we have the opportunity to take a camel ride in the
heart of the Fataga Nature Reserve. This beautiful
enclave offers a unique experience to appreciate
the exotic flora and fauna at the Camel Safari Park.
Finally, just over five 5 minutes further on again,
we arrive at the village of Fataga, where just 300
lucky inhabitants live a quiet and peaceful life. It is
a well-preserved village which, along with its tiled
roofs, stone walls and wooden balconies, curiously
shows how each house bears the name of the
owners written on its façade. The village is located
next to fertile land full of pine and palm trees.
This place receives the name of Valle de Fataga or
Valley of 1,000 Palm Trees, due to the fact that it is
one of the places with the highest concentration of
palm trees of the Phoenix canariensis species on
the whole island of Gran Canaria. In fact, this island
holds the title of having the most abundant population
of this characteristic species of palm tree in
the whole of the Canary archipelago.
Another attraction that is sure to catch the eye of
visitors is the Cazorla Mill, an outstanding exponent
of hydraulic engineering in Gran Canaria. Its
structure dates back to 1880, having undergone
modifications throughout its history. This piece of
industrial archaeology is based on elements such
as teak wood, stone columns, mortar channelling
and tile roofs. These elements are amalgamated
to form a piece of machinery composed of wood,
iron and stone, which is the backbone of this striking
installation. The hydraulic complex includes a
large, 12-metre-high cylindrical structure, the mill
factory and the miller's dwelling. In a later effort to
preserve this structure, the cylindrical building was
strengthened by the construction of a stepped
tower which, to this day, has successfully withstood
the relentless passage of time.
For the more adventurous, the impressive Barranco
de Fataga ravine offers various hiking routes
that enable visitors to explore its marvellous landscapes.
Among the options available, the Tunte circular
route is of particular interest, covering a total
distance of 14 kilometres and requiring approximately
four and a half hours to complete. During
this trek, hikers have the opportunity to admire
native birds and lush vegetation found only in this
corner of the planet.
Fataga is a hidden treasure in Gran Canaria that
undoubtedly offers a unique experience of natural
beauty, culture and history. This destination has
something for any avid adventurer or explorer.