Gran Canaria Walking Festival

CRUZ DE TEJEDA

GRAN CANARIA WALKING FESTIVAL 2021

31 October

Sunday 31 October / Route 4

CRUZ DE TEJEDA

From the Cruz de Tejeda we enter the pine forest of the Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar, meeting a landscape of green and volcanic contrasts, until we reach various villages that herald our arrival in Gáldar, the final stage of the Way of St. James.

We start our route at the Cruz de Tejeda, from where we continue our way up a short but very intense climb that will lead us to the highest area of Los Moriscos. From there, we go downhill more than 18 km through the pine forest of Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar, the area of the Natural Monument El Montañón Negro, down Lomo del Palo and the area known as "Little Ireland", named after the striking green hills that characterise the place.

This fourth route brings the Way of St. James of Gran Canaria to an end; it culminates in the town of Gáldar, the first Jacobean site outside mainland Europe since 1482.

Technical data

Physical difficulty

High

Technical difficulty

Medium

Type of route

Linear

Distance

20,4 KM

Duration

7 h

Total elevation gain

434 m+

Cumulative negative difference in altitude

1.826 m-

Track

Link

Elevation Profile

Link

Urban Section
30
%
Path
50
%
Forest Track
20
%

Information to bear in mind

The route has a first short but intense ascent, and then a descent with more than 1,800 m of negative elevation loss and a distance of 20 km. This puts a lot of strain on the knees, so the use of trekking poles is almost essential.

In the section that runs through Lomo del Palo, it is important to bear in mind that, if it has rained in the last few days, the terrain may be a little slippery.

The last downhill section of the path between Hoya Pineda and Anzo, can make some people dizzy at some specific points.

Accompanied minors from 16 years of age can participate, it is important to take into account the duration of the routes.

Montañón Negro – Lomo del Palo – Iglesia de Gáldar

 

Its striking slopes covered with lapilli. These volcanic rock fragments are the enduring image of one of the youngest volcanoes on the island of Gran Canaria. Framed within the protected landscape of the summits, it is the beginning of one of the most famous pine forests on the island: Los Pinos de Gáldar. Los Pinos de Gáldar. Considered a protected natural space, we will be able to observe the forest as we across the area of lapilli which is so characteristic here.

 

This ridge forms the dividing line between the municipalities of Gáldar and Santa María de Guía, located between Monte Pavón and La Caldereta, very close to the recreational area of Monte Pavón. This place is named after the tree that used to cover the area, the “Palo Blanco” (Picconia excelsa), which was widely used in Gran Canaria for the creation of utensils and tools for farm labour, given the hardness of its wood.

 

This is the first Jacobean site outside the Spanish peninsular territory, built during the Conquest of the Canary Islands in the first capital of Gran Canaria, Gáldar. It is one of the greatest examples of neoclassical architecture in the Canary Islands. The current building was built in 1778.

PICK-UP

Time

MEETING POINT

7:00 h

Alfredo Kraus Auditorium- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

6:45 h

Tourist information Office, next to the CC Yumbo Centrum- Playa del Inglés

ARRIVAL

Time

MEETING POINT

17:50 h

Alfredo Kraus Auditorium- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

18:30 h

Tourist information Office, next to the CC Yumbo Centrum- Playa del Inglés

From Cruz de Tejeda we will enter the pine forest of the Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar.

After our stop for the day in the Monte Pavón Recreational Area, we continue our journey along a completely different type of path, covering many kilometres along the road that links the Saucillo area with Hoya de Pineda, following our hike along the Pilgrims' Route to Gáldar. In Hoya de Pineda, we will take a short section of trail (about 2.5 km) until we reach the bottom of the ravine known as Barranco de Anzo.

Once there, the asphalted road will take us through the streets of Gáldar to finish our Gran Canaria Walking Festivaland our Way of St James at the church of Santiago de los Caballeros de Gáldar.

This route includes a stretch that boasts a wonderful landscape already known by our dear hikers, as it has been incorporated in past editions of the festival.

This route includes

  • Civil liability insurance
  • Accident insurance
  • Picnic
  • Guided route and interpreter of the natural, ethnographic and cultural values of the island
  • Transport to and from the start and end points of the route (from Las Palmas G.C or Playa del Inglés)
  • Specialised guided tours in several languages
  • Snack-type lunch

Enjoy your experience to the fullest thanks to the free app specifically created for our Gran Canaria Walking Festival.

Program
GCWF '21

28 / OCTOBER / ROUTE 1

Faro de Maspalomas - Arteara

The Faro de Maspalomas will guide our way to the largest necropolis in Gran Canaria, bringing us closer to the shadow of the majestic palm grove of Arteara.

29 / OCTOBER / ROUTE 2

Arteara - Tunte

We leave the valley of the thousand palm trees behind us to discover the charming village of Tunte.

30 / OCTOBER / ROUTE 3

Tunte - Cruz de Tejeda

We continue our way through pine forests along the traditional Ruta de La Plata, or La Plata Route, to the Cruz de Tejeda.

31/ OCTOBER / ROUTE 4

Cruz de Tejeda - Galdar

From the Cruz de Tejeda we enter the pine forest of the Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar, meeting a landscape of green and volcanic contrasts, until we reach various villages that herald our arrival in Gáldar, the final stage of the Way of St. James.

The price of each route includes: transport, picnic, guides, insurance, snack or tasting lunch and gifts.
See programme