Tejeda

In Tejeda you will find the highest altitude in the province of Las Palmas, the Pico de las Nieves, with a height of 1,956 meters above sea level. The Pico de las Nieves is practically in the center of the island of Gran Canaria and hosts different protected points of the island, such as the Protected Landscape of the Summits, the Nublo Rural Park or the Riscos de Tirajana Natural Monument. At the peak is the highest viewpoint of Gran Canaria, from which you can see, on clear days, some of the islands that make up the archipelago, and make out part of the island and, specifically, a sector that was declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. The view from this point is unparalleled, by the ravines that are around with their sharp edges, and by some points crowned by volcanic pythons of enigmatic forms. At the top of the Pico de las Nieves there is a semicircle covered in stone that faces west from whose viewpoint there are stunning sunsets, even more beautiful when there is sea clouds It is one of the most interesting natural spectacles of Tejeda.

The Roque Nublo Natural Monument is one of the most interesting places on the island of Gran Canaria, located in the municipality of Tejeda strong>, has dimensions of 451 hectares and whose symbol is the rock that stands out imposing from one of the crests. The rocky monolith of the Roque de Nublo is of erosive origin being a unique landscape and full of beauty. According to experts the Roque Nublo was formed in five episodes of volcanic origin, is one of the largest in the world and presides over the Caldera de Tejeda which is one of the largest on the island, it has a height of 80 meters from its base and is more than 1800 meters above sea level. The imposing landscape made this point a place of worship for the aborigines of the island, since 1987 it is protected as a natural space. The Roque de Nublo and all its surroundings is a perfect place to enjoy nature in all its splendor, it is possible to make paths of great beauty trails, it is also possible to make treaking and from the heights you can see the Caldera de Tejeda, Llanos de la Pez and the Pozo de las Nieves.

The Patron of Tejeda is Our Lady of the Socorr or, the population celebrates the celebrations in its honor every 8 September in the surroundings of the hermitage that takes name of the virgin. Every year the village of Tejeda comes back to this festival that consists of a pilgrimage that lasts all evening long to the sound of the rondallas and with innumerable carts. All the money is given to charities of the island of Gran Canaria, it is possible to taste the best products of the region and enjoy the typical costumes that all attendees wear. The hermitage where Nuestra Señora del Socorro resides was built in 1931, has a particular eclectic style and was the work of Rafael Massanet and Fernando Navarro. The Hermitage settled in the same place where previously there was another chapel that was completely destroyed after a fire that took place in 1920. The image of the Virgen de Nuestra Señora del Socorro is a carving work of the Arsenio de las Casas carver, it has a face similar to that of the Virgen del Rosario de Agüimes.

The Barranco de Tejeda is also known as Barranco Grande de Tejeda. To enjoy a spectacular view you can access the Mirador de Roque Bentayga, from where it is possible to see this succession of elevations, rocks, trees full of beauty and tranquility. To all this succession of natural formations Miguel de Unamuno called it Petrified Tempest, no wonder. In this place you can see much of the geological history of Gran Canaria over some 14 million years. According to experts for 3 million years, erosion has brought out the entrails of the volcanic area that during this time has not experienced more eruptions. Along the Barranco Grande de Tejeda you can see large formations like the Roque Bentayga, which is very important for the archaeological sites that are in the area, this is the one that stands out from a series of Riscos in the sense of the slope that goes down from the Degollada de Las Moradas to the settlement of Roque. Nearby is also the Cuevas del Rey with an important deposit. The territory is so important that it was declared World Biosphere Reserve of Gran Canaria in 2005.

One of the best-known stories of the Canary Islands is the legend of the Casandra Tree. In Tejeda, very close to the dam of Las Niñas there is an ideal natural area to spend days surrounded by nature, in this area there is a lonely tree that has been the result of creation of a legend that has several versions. One of the best known is that a young Canarian teenager, about 15 years old called Cassandra, was madly in love with a boy, they spent much of their time in the shadow of This imposing tree but the relationship was not well seen by friends, family and neighbors of the town to such an extent that the father of Casandra ended the boy's life. Casandra desolated and wanted to avenge the death of her beloved and made a pact with the devil, his desires for revenge were discovered and accused of witchcraft was burned under the same tree. They say that today there are still cries of the girl next to the tree. Above the legend this natural spot is perfect for a day in the middle of nature, close to this magical place there is a recreational area, next to the Presa de las niñas.

The Pico de las Nieves is the highest elevation on the island of Gran Canaria, a summit with stunning views from where it is possible to see some of the islands that they form in the Canary archipelago. Despite the latitudes where the Canary Islands can be found, during the coldest days of winter this area is usually covered in snow, this snow was stored in the well-known Neveros or snow wells. similar to those that are known in some points of the sierras of Andalusia. There is one with the name of Pozo de las Nieves, when it fell a snowfall these wells were covered with snow, the strategy was the following once these constructions were covered with snow they were kept in blocks of ice that would prevent them from melting easily once they were formed, they cut themselves and with beasts they descended to the nearest nuclei. To form it, it was necessary to crush the snow with molds and once subjected to this pressure, blocks were formed that formed layers and were separated by straw. It was amazing how these blocks of ice held long seasons without melting. The Pozo de Nieves was a rock excavation, about 10 meters deep and covered by a shed, it is estimated that its construction dates approximately from 1594.

The nature of Tejeda is undoubtedly one of the most interesting attractions that this part of the island of Gran Canaria can offer us. One of the most spectacular viewpoints, with the most impressive views and must-see is known as Mirador de Becerra. From here you can see the Almagría Mountains in the northern part, while looking to the south you can see the Montañas de Mejoranas, one of the best known perspectives of Gran Canaria. To get to the viewpoint of the Degollada de Becerra it is necessary to start from the Cruz de Tejeda, you can see a wide path whose first part is paved and which is going up. During the trip you have to enjoy nature, the walk runs between laburnums, broom and some chestnut trees until finally you reach the Mirador de Becerra. The walk is well worth it because once there the views are fantastic, you can see the Roque Nublo, also known as Roque Fraile, of the Bentayga or the Altavista Mountain. The elevation also allows you to see the neighboring island of Tenerife whose Teide reigns majestically. No doubt as well said Unamuno on this landscape a whole "petrified storm".

The Roque Bentayga is one of the most unique rock formations on the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). It is inside the volcanic caldera of Tejeda, in the municipality of the same name, in the heart of the island.