ACTIVITIES
The island of Gran Canaria offers thousands of possibilities for all kinds of activities, but we are going to focus on recommending those closest to Toscón de Tejeda:
From the viewpoint, you can enjoy beautiful views of the northwest of Gran Canaria, highlighting the mountains with the La Aldea Valley in the background and the Parralillo dam.
The viewpoint is named after Roque Palmés, a spectacular stone monolith that has an altitude above sea level of 1,095 m. This rock, although less popular than Roque Nublo or Roque Bentayga, is of similar beauty and is also known as "Risco Palmés". The neighbors say that this cliff performed the functions of an authentic “Sundial”, since the shadow cast by the silhouette of the Roque perfectly indicated the position of the sun in its diurnal transit.
The viewpoint was renovated in 2014, with improved access to the viewpoint through a stone staircase and a wall of the same material with a wooden railing to provide greater security when enjoying the wonderful views.
In addition, Roque Palmés is considered a Protected Natural Area, as it is part of the Nublo Rural Park. This park is the largest protected natural space on the island of Gran Canaria and the most populated in the Canary Islands. Its rich natural heritage includes fresh Canarian pine forests on the summits and thickets of native desert plants at the mouth of its ravines.
2. Hiking trails, among which the S 80 trail that passes through El Toscón stands out.
From this link trail S 80 You can access a map with different trails, managed by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, that are near El Toscón, among which is the trail that we have mentioned.
If we want to go a little deeper into the hiking routes, I recommend the following website: Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve, from where you can view and download maps and .kmz files (to view them with the Google Earth program).
From this page: The Gran Canaria Guide, We can find pages of hiking routes, hiking associations and other active tourism activities.
And of course, the website Wikiloc.
(It is very difficult to resist providing information about how much Gran Canaria can offer.).
3. El Toscón Cheese Factory.
¡Discover the El Toscón de Tejeda Cheese Factory! Located in the lower neighborhood of El Toscón, this artisanal cheese factory is famous for its raw milk cheese from Majorera goats and Canarian sheep.
Their cheeses have won some awards in different editions of the World Cheese Awards.
At the El Toscón de Tejeda Cheese Factory, they take pride in maintaining cheesemaking traditions, using cheesemaking techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Their cheese being not only a product, but a history of the land and the people of the Cumbre de Gran Canaria.
4. Parralillo Dam and Molino viewpoint
Enjoy an unforgettable day in the heart of Gran Canaria with a visit to the Presa del Parralillo and the Mirador del Molino.
The Parralillo Dam, one of the most important on the island, from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the reservoir and the impressive hydrographic basin.
El Mirador del Molino, from this privileged point, you will have a spectacular view of Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga and, of course, the Parralillo Dam.
5. Museum of the Roque Bentayga interpretation center
In the heights of the island of Gran Canaria, where the sky meets the earth, is the Roque Bentayga Interpretation Center. A place that keeps the secrets of pre-Hispanic culture, where the echoes of the pasado resuenan en cada rincón.
This center, part of the Cultural Landscape of Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, World Heritage since 2019, is a journey through time. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of the island's first inhabitants, exploring their places of worship, burial and rock art.
The center's rooms are filled with stories told through screens, panels, 3D recreations and interactive applications. Every object, every image, every word, takes you deeper into the history of the island.
After visiting the center, you can follow the path to the Almogarén, an ancient place of worship of divinities. And all this, with the impressive natural landscape of the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve as a backdrop.
The center opens its doors from Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., inviting you to discover the secrets of the island. Admission is free.
In the heart of the island of Gran Canaria,
where the mountains meet the sky,
lie the hidden charms of Tejeda.
A town that wakes up with the sun,
bathed in the colors of dawn,
where the white houses shine like pearls
in the green embrace of the mountain.
The narrow, winding streets
They invite you to get lost in their stillness,
while the aroma of almond blossoms
envelops you in a sweet interlude.
The echo of history resonates in every corner,
in the ancient stones of Bentayga,
where the ancient canaries contemplated the stars,
looking for answers in the starry sky.
And when the sun sets, and the moon rises,
Tejeda shines under the mantle of night,
a beacon of tranquility, a haven of beauty,
a place to dream, to breathe, to be.
This charming town, listed as one of the most beautiful in Spain, is located about 44 kilometers away from the capital of Gran Canaria.
The landscape of Tejeda is part of the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, a World Heritage Site. Tejeda is also part of the Biosphere Reserve and the cultural landscape made up of the Risco Caído and Las Montañas Sagradas, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In the heart of the island of Gran Canaria, the Roque Nublo rises majestically, a natural monument of imposing beauty. Like a stone lighthouse, it stands above the vast ocean of mountains and ravines, offering its visitors breathtaking panoramic views.
From its summit, more than 1800 meters high, you can contemplate the immensity of the Atlantic and the silhouette of Mount Teide on the neighboring island of Tenerife. A spectacle that, at dusk, is dressed in golden and reddish tones, in a play of lights and shadows that seems taken from a canvas.
But Roque Nublo is more than a viewpoint. It is a silent witness to the island's volcanic history, a sanctuary for local flora and fauna, and a challenge for hikers who dare to conquer its summit. Its presence commands respect, but also invites contemplation and discovery.
Visiting Roque Nublo is embarking on an adventure, it is climbing towards the sky and feeling the breeze of the wind, it is getting lost in the immensity of the landscape and finding yourself. It is, in short, an experience that no traveler should miss.
8. Artenara
Artenara, a hidden charm in the heights of Gran Canaria, is a place where time seems to have stopped. Its cave houses, witnesses of an ancient past, merge with the volcanic landscape, creating a mosaic of colors and textures that captivates everyone who visits.
From its viewpoints, you can appreciate the immensity of the Tamadaba Natural Park, a green sea of pine trees that extends as far as the eye can see. At sunset, the sun colors the sky in orange and red tones, in a spectacle that leaves no one indifferent.
But Artenara is more than a beautiful landscape. It is a meeting place with the history and culture of the island, where every corner tells a story. Its churches and museums are a reflection of the island's rich tradition, and its festivals and events, such as the Almond Blossom Festival, are an explosion of color and joy.
It is here that the Spanish writer and philosopher of the Generation of '98, Miguel de Unamuno, was amazed by the beauty of the island during his visit in 1910. He described the landscape of Artenara as a "petrified storm", a tremendous shock of the bowels. of the earth, which seemed like a storm of fire, of lava, more than of water. This description has remained in the collective memory as the best way to express what the immensity of Gran Canaria makes the visitor feel.
Visiting Artenara is like traveling back in time, it is discovering the essence of Gran Canaria, it is feeling the warmth of its people and the magic of its surroundings. It is, in short, an experience that invites you to dream and lose yourself in the beauty of simplicity.
In the heart of Artenara, are the King´s Caves, a set of natural caves that have witnessed the passage of time. These caves, which were once home to the ancient Canarian aborigines, today are presented as a trip to the past, a mirror in which the history of the island is reflected.
When entering the King's Caves, one can feel the freshness of the stone and the silence that surrounds the place. The walls of the caves, carved by the hand of man and the erosion of time, tell stories of a distant past, of a time when life was simpler.
A visit to the King's Caves is a walk through history, but it is also a sensory experience. The smell of wet earth, the touch of cold stone, the sound of the wind whispering through the caves... all this contributes to creating an atmosphere of tranquility and reflection.
But what really makes the King's Caves special is the feeling of connection with nature and history. It is as if upon entering the caves, one enters a world apart, a world where time moves at a different pace and where every corner hides a secret.
Visiting the the King's Cave is more than a simple tourist activity, it is an experience that allows you to connect with the essence of Gran Canaria and the history of its inhabitants.
11. The Valley of Tears cycling route
In the heart of Gran Canaria, where the mountains rise,
There lies a path, a challenge, that embraces the brave.
The Valley of Tears cycle route, a name that threatens,
but in its journey, beauty never moves.
137.85 km away, a journey that does not come undone,
with a difference in altitude of 4,987 m, may it link you to heaven.
From Maspalomas it starts, at the roundabout it is done,
a circle of adventure, that fits your heart.
It requires strength and endurance, and a lace technique,
to face the rises, and the descents that they displace.
Make sure your brakes are in perfect condition.
because the descents are rapid, and the risks are not scarce.
The helmet is your companion, on this journey that embraces,
protecting your head, while the route moves you.
And although the pavement is hard, and in parts it may fail,
the spirit of the cyclist, nothing can displace.
But keep in mind the weather, which can change in the north,
The trade winds are treacherous, they can displace your trip.
If the clouds threaten a storm, it is better to turn around and return,
Well, safety comes first, on this unparalleled trip.
This is the Valley of Tears route, a challenge to face,
an adventure for the brave, who know how to appreciate beauty.
This route passes right by the door of our apartment.
To find out more about the route and participate in the challenge:
