Are you looking for the best plans during your holidays in Gran Canaria? As you know, at Villa Gran Canaria’s blog we always tell you about the best Gran Canaria excursions, tours, trips and plans. Then, if that is what you were looking for, you are at the right place! Today, we are going to talk about the best Gran Canaria canyons! Are you ready to discover this Gran Canaria must see place?
Canarian people love to refer to the island as “El Continente en Miniatura”, which means the “miniature continent” in English. This is due to Gran Canaria is an island which has a bit of everything packed into its 1,560 square kilometres.
In this island you can find from black, volcanic beaches and dunes like the Sahara desert to impossible rock formations balancing from mountain peaks and dramatic ravines dotted with deep and old caves that used to house the ancient inhabitants of the island many years ago.
It doesn’t really matter how many times you have visited or explored the island before — you can always find brand new destinations that will take your breath away.
“Barranco” is the way we say “ravine” in Spain. Although there are lots of ravines in the Canaries, the Barranco de las Vacas is the only one of its kind here in the Canary Islands. This unique barranco is a Gran Canaria canyon formed from porous volcanic ash and smoothed by water. This is what gives the canyon its amazing and unique flowing curves of coloured stone.
Barranco de las Vacas is the name that this Gran Canaria canyon is most commonly referred to — nevertheless, it is not the only one. There are a few other names for this barranco depending on who you ask.
More accurately, it is divided in different areas. One of them is the Barranco de Barafonso. However, if you ask a Canarian inhabitant, they will probably refer to this place as the Toba de Colores. This name is given in reference to the wide variety of shades of red, beige, and terra cotta that shift with sunlight at different times of day.
The Barranco de las Vacas is located near the province of Agüimes, situated at the southeast side of the island. Like the vast majority of places here, it is easy enough to get to by car and by public transport — although it is a bit more complicated.
If you decide getting there by can, you have to drive first to Agüimes. Once there, you have to continue along toward Temisas on highway GC-550. The bad part is that the path to the ravine isn’t signposted, but you will likely see a few cars parked along the side of the highway just before reaching a grey brick bridge.
In fact, that is how you will know when to pull over and park yourself. The walk is not too long and simple enough, although it is a bit steep heading up and down from the road. You simply have to head down into the ravine and walk toward. Then, once you are under the bridge, you just have to follow the path along to the left to arrive to this Gran Canaria canyon.
If you need to rent a car, because it is clear that you are not taking yours in the suitcase, you can take a look at our car rental services!
If you finally decide getting to Barranco de las Vacas by public transport, you will also have to be prepared to do a bit more hiking. Don’t worry though — it is a great chance to practice trekking in Gran Canaria!
If you are in Las Palmas, you can take the blue bus 11 to Agüimes from Parque San Telmo (San Telmo Park). There are also buses from other areas of the island, like the south, but most of them require a transfer so it is better to check directions to this Gran Canaria canyon directly from your accommodation. If you are still looking for accommodation, don’t hesitate to take a look at our fantastic villas, apartments and cottages!
Once you have arrived to Agüimes, you will have to ask locals to point you out the direction to the Camino Real. This path will take you straight to the ravine, and the walk takes about an hour approximately.
If you are wondering what to do at this Gran Canaria canyon, we could say that the options are limited. However, if you want to enjoy hiking and walking in Gran Canaria and you want to enjoy of some of the most astonishing views of the whole world, you are at the right place. It is perfect to enjoy a Gran Canaria walking holiday!
This area is not so big — approximately 250 meters. If you want to avoid the crowds and the heat of the sun, it is better to get there early in the morning or later in the afternoon. If you are up for a longer hike, you can continue walking to the nearby town of Temisas. It is a charming white washed village at the base of the Gran Canaria mountains.
As we have said before, you won’t need all day to appreciate the great beauty of this barranco. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do and see in this area! Make a day of it and check out some of these stunning places while you are around.
We strongly recommend you to have a lunch in one of the cave restaurants in Guayadeque. Then, you can stroll by the streets of Agüimes or, simply relax yourself and sunbathe at Arinaga Beach. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a happy exploring!
We hope that you have enjoyed our post about our favourite Gran Canaria canyon. Enjoy the ride and take the chance to visit Gran Canaria while you enjoy the best accommodation with us. If you have any doubt or if you need any further information, you can contact us without commitment. All we want is to satisfy with excellence the requirements of our clients!
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Barranco de las Vacas — Gran Canaria’s Antelope Canyon
Canarian people love to refer to the island as “El Continente en Miniatura”, which means the “miniature continent” in English. This is due to Gran Canaria is an island which has a bit of everything packed into its 1,560 square kilometres.
In this island you can find from black, volcanic beaches and dunes like the Sahara desert to impossible rock formations balancing from mountain peaks and dramatic ravines dotted with deep and old caves that used to house the ancient inhabitants of the island many years ago.
It doesn’t really matter how many times you have visited or explored the island before — you can always find brand new destinations that will take your breath away.
The astonishing Barranco de las Vacas is one of those hidden and amazing Gran Canaria highlights.
What is Barranco de las Vacas?
“Barranco” is the way we say “ravine” in Spain. Although there are lots of ravines in the Canaries, the Barranco de las Vacas is the only one of its kind here in the Canary Islands. This unique barranco is a Gran Canaria canyon formed from porous volcanic ash and smoothed by water. This is what gives the canyon its amazing and unique flowing curves of coloured stone.
Barranco de las Vacas is the name that this Gran Canaria canyon is most commonly referred to — nevertheless, it is not the only one. There are a few other names for this barranco depending on who you ask.
More accurately, it is divided in different areas. One of them is the Barranco de Barafonso. However, if you ask a Canarian inhabitant, they will probably refer to this place as the Toba de Colores. This name is given in reference to the wide variety of shades of red, beige, and terra cotta that shift with sunlight at different times of day.
How to get to this Gran Canaria canyon — Barranco de las Vacas
The Barranco de las Vacas is located near the province of Agüimes, situated at the southeast side of the island. Like the vast majority of places here, it is easy enough to get to by car and by public transport — although it is a bit more complicated.
- Getting to Barranco de las Vacas by car
If you decide getting there by can, you have to drive first to Agüimes. Once there, you have to continue along toward Temisas on highway GC-550. The bad part is that the path to the ravine isn’t signposted, but you will likely see a few cars parked along the side of the highway just before reaching a grey brick bridge.
There is space enough along the side of the highway to park approximately five cars at a time.
In fact, that is how you will know when to pull over and park yourself. The walk is not too long and simple enough, although it is a bit steep heading up and down from the road. You simply have to head down into the ravine and walk toward. Then, once you are under the bridge, you just have to follow the path along to the left to arrive to this Gran Canaria canyon.
If you need to rent a car, because it is clear that you are not taking yours in the suitcase, you can take a look at our car rental services!
- Getting to Barranco de las Vacas by public transport
If you finally decide getting to Barranco de las Vacas by public transport, you will also have to be prepared to do a bit more hiking. Don’t worry though — it is a great chance to practice trekking in Gran Canaria!
If you are in Las Palmas, you can take the blue bus 11 to Agüimes from Parque San Telmo (San Telmo Park). There are also buses from other areas of the island, like the south, but most of them require a transfer so it is better to check directions to this Gran Canaria canyon directly from your accommodation. If you are still looking for accommodation, don’t hesitate to take a look at our fantastic villas, apartments and cottages!
Once you have arrived to Agüimes, you will have to ask locals to point you out the direction to the Camino Real. This path will take you straight to the ravine, and the walk takes about an hour approximately.
What to do at this Gran Canaria canyon — Barranco de las Vacas
If you are wondering what to do at this Gran Canaria canyon, we could say that the options are limited. However, if you want to enjoy hiking and walking in Gran Canaria and you want to enjoy of some of the most astonishing views of the whole world, you are at the right place. It is perfect to enjoy a Gran Canaria walking holiday!
This area is not so big — approximately 250 meters. If you want to avoid the crowds and the heat of the sun, it is better to get there early in the morning or later in the afternoon. If you are up for a longer hike, you can continue walking to the nearby town of Temisas. It is a charming white washed village at the base of the Gran Canaria mountains.
What to do around this Gran Canaria canyon
As we have said before, you won’t need all day to appreciate the great beauty of this barranco. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do and see in this area! Make a day of it and check out some of these stunning places while you are around.
We strongly recommend you to have a lunch in one of the cave restaurants in Guayadeque. Then, you can stroll by the streets of Agüimes or, simply relax yourself and sunbathe at Arinaga Beach. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a happy exploring!
We hope that you have enjoyed our post about our favourite Gran Canaria canyon. Enjoy the ride and take the chance to visit Gran Canaria while you enjoy the best accommodation with us. If you have any doubt or if you need any further information, you can contact us without commitment. All we want is to satisfy with excellence the requirements of our clients!
