Gran Canaria



Roque Bentaiga

Our location in Tejeda allowed me to aim directly through the open window at Roque Bentaiga, one of the eye-catching features of the island. I took a picture every day during breakfast, just after sunrise. Here are two of them.

Roque Bentaiga Roque Bentaiga


Cave

Roque Bentaiga was a special place for the local people. There are many small caves in the side of the rock, also some man-made caves such as this - a lofty place to stay, albeit without water.

Cult

Was this the place of a hut with a fireplace in the middle? Right underneath Roque Bentaiga, it may as well have been a place of sacrifice, virgins included.
Cave on Roque Bentaiga Below Roque Bentaiga


Crater

There is no volcanic activity on Gran Canaria today. This is where the latest eruptions took place a couple of thousand years ago, the Caldera de Gáldar.

Montañón Negro

This cinder cone nearby the Caldera de Gáldar also represents the latest eruptions on the island. Both offer a good view at the northern part of Gran Canaria.
Caldera de Galdar Montanon Negro


The North

The view goes, to be exact, to the northeast, to the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the peninsula La Isleta. Montaña de Arucas, a cinder cone with the town of Arucas on its flanks, is on the left. A faint layer of Passat-clouds is hanging over it all.

From Mirador de Pinos de Galdar


Cactus

Opuntia figus-india is everywhere, here with grown fruits, so-called tunas, which are eatable.

Aeonium Arboreum

An endemic plant of the Canarian Islands, which has also made its way into gardens and houses for decoration.
Cactus Plant


Crossroad

Road signs at Cruz de Tejeda, a pass at 1500 m and frequented by tourists, for which a huge parking space along with many small souvenir shops is available.

From Tejeda

The sun shines at the steep caldera walls beyond the village of Tejeda.
Cruz de Tejeda From Tejeda


Flat Top

A high plain hosts the village of Acusa Verde, a table mountain usually found in places such as Iceland.

Rocks

Roques Bentaiga and Nublo as seen from below Acusa Verde. The weather is pondering over what to do with us.
View at Acusa Verde Roque Bentaiga


Caldera

Since we have enjoyed walking around the central part of Gran Canaria for the whole of a week, many photographs feature the most striking rocks the island has to offer. Here another panorama, spiced with evil-looking clouds.

From Candelaria


Houses

It looks as if even the buildings crouch themselves underneath the overhanging rocks to stay dry. Candelaria is a very small village built into the side of the table mountain of Acusa Verde. The rain has finally got us.

Weather

Again up on the flat of Acusa Verde and wet to the bone, a rare occasion on Gran Canaria. If it rains, it may as well rain hard.
Candelaria in the Rain From Acusa Verde


From Artenara

The village of Artenara claims to be the highest on the island. The sun again governs the scene.

Mirador

A viewing point in Artenara with the monument of Miguel de Unamuno, a Spanish writer, who probably stood at this place a century ago.
From Artenara Viewing Point in Artenara


Roque Bentaiga

Once more in the evening light the 1415 m high rock.

Roque Nublo

Still lit by the sun, this needle is considerably higher: 1803 m.
Roque Bentaiga late Afternoon Roque Nublo late Afternoon


Roque Nublo

This is what the visitor sees from the parking lot, which is on the other side on the road GC-100 and almost underneath these rocks. The popularity of Roque Nublo fills the place till 10:00 a.m.

Roque Nublo in the Morning


Monuments

Roque Nublo is similar to a memorial, at least from the chosen perspective, two rocks rising from a high plateau with a blue sky above. At this early hour the number of tourists crawling around Roque Nublo is still tolerable.
Roque Nublo Roque Nublo

Rock Group

The whole of the Roque Nublo group seen from its designated parking area in early morning. The lower one in the middle is called Monk, the rock on the left looks like a warning gesture.

Roque Nublo Group


Roque Nublo Again

Flanked by two trees, a look from afar when walking towards the highest point of the island.

Needle

A typical rock formation in eroded volcanic formations and an attraction for the camera.
Roque Nublo Rock


From Pico de las Nieves

The view goes west and shows a panorama of the center of Gran Canaria, as seen from its highest peak, the Pico de las Nieves (1950 m). A road leads almost to the top, which is taken by no less than the military.

From Pico de las Nieves


Other Side

In comparison to the panorama above everything in this shot is different except of the subject. View to the south east, and a portrait. Of Roque Nuble, of course.

Alta Vista

The same direction of view, but further away from Altavista, a 1376 m high point on the northwestern part of the ridge leading around the center of the island.
Roque Nublo From Altavista


Bush

A lone bush near Roque Bentaiga, some kind of euphorbia plant.

Tree

Some trees grow to impressive shapes on the island, surely a more common look before interference of mankind.
Bush Tree


Mountain

A rocky mountain stands out on the southern edge of the Caldera de Tejeda, covered by thin pine forest.

From Forest

From the southwest, Roque Nublo once again. I apologize for showing this rock so often, but its look was too attractive to be neglected.
Mountain Roque Nublo


Late Afternoon

The sunlight in its rosy shade shines on a rock that blocks the view at the higher Montaña del Aserrador. From a slightly different angle the same scene once again. It is a nice day walk from Degollada del Aserrador in a western direction on the caldera's rim.
Rocks Rocks


Rocks


Shadow

Early in the morning the shadow of Roque Nublo competes with Roque Bentaiga.

Fading Light

The sun goes down over the Caldera de Tejeda.
Roque Bentayga and Shadow of Nublo Sunset


Flora

A rather dry plant in the evening light.

Evening

There is a restaurant "Casas de la Umbria" at this junction. Our interest, however, had been Roque Bentaiga, to which we had walked from this place.
Plants Casas de la Umbria


Lizard

They like the warm stones; the higher the temperature the quicker they move and disappear. This exemplar was overcome by curiosity.

Flower

A bee is hovering over a flower in Tejeda, with the silhouette of Roque Nublo behind.
Lizzard Bee over Flower


Church

A small church in the village of Juncal.

Roof Tops

This shot underlines the location of Tejeda in relation to Roque Bentaiga, which sits right above the church towers of Tejeda.
Church in El Juncal Rogue Bentayga from Tejeda


Tejeda

Two photographs of Tejeda, the place of where we stayed, both featuring the Iglesia Nuestro Señora del Socorro.

Church in Tejeda Tejeda


Caldera de Tejeda

There are sources claiming a volcanic origin of this caldera. Whatever, islands such as Gran Canaria usually exhibit huge caldera-like valleys formed by erosion rather than by eruptions. Examples are Réunion and La Palma.

Panorama


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