Caldera de Bandama Hiking Route

The Canary Islands have a volcanic origin. Each and every one of them has volcanoes or calderas that make up a very striking landscape that is rarely seen in other places. However, there is a site, a few minutes from the city center, that guards a privileged natural environment, Bandama in Gran Canaria.

The Caldera de Bandama is located at a crossroads between 3 municipalities: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde and Santa Brigida, in the interior of the island of Gran Canaria and stands out for its unique landscape and for having one of the most beautiful trails from every island.

In this new entry we are going to give you all the information about the caldera: how it was formed, how you can get to it and most importantly, how you can take the route that will guide you inside.

Caldera de Bandama

The Caldera de Bandama is a volcanic depression that is about 200 meters deep and about 100 meters in diameter.
 

Its formation is conditioned by the volcanic eruptions that took place over time to shape the island. 

However, its name, Bandama, comes from the famous Flemish merchant Daniel Van Damme, who in the 16th century bought a series of lands in the area to dedicate himself to the cultivation of vines.
 

Currently, the volcano is completely inactive , so there is no risk to travel through it.
 

In the surroundings, he erected one of the most important golf courses on the island, the Bandama Golf Club (the first golf course that opened in Spain), as well as some restaurants or interpretation centers where you can see what the area was like in past centuries and how the work of grape harvesting and wine making.

How to get to Bandama?

In order to get to the Caldera de Bandama, the first thing you should know is that it is about 20 minutes by car from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. To do this, you can take the GC-802, from the Monte Lentiscal roundabout.
 

You can also get there by public transport by taking line 311 of the Global bus company. The stop is located right at the beginning of the path, in the car park, so you won't have to walk far to get to the beginning of the path.

Hiking through the Caldera de Bandama

Bandama and its caldera have two trails. The first, approximately 3 kilometers long. It is a path that borders it and you can see the majestic caldera from above.
 

Likewise, it is a route that can be carried out very easily, with suitable footwear and comfortable clothing, you will be able to explore its surroundings in less than an hour. Therefore, it is a route that is ideal to enjoy with family and friends.
 

Throughout the route you will be able to find fauna such as the tajinaste or the beautiful eucalyptus trees. It will also take you to one of the emblems of the area, popularly known as Casa de Agustinito, with a lot of history.

However, the second trail is for those who are intrepid, adventurous and have extensive hiking experience. We recommend that you choose the route that takes you inside the caldera, which is longer but much more spectacular.
 

This route is approximately 6.3 kilometers long and has a slightly more technical feeling, with slopes that can exceed 18% and that can take between 3 and 4 hours to complete.

This route, a bit narrow, is worth it because, when you reach the bottom of the caldera, you will be able to admire and contemplate it in all its splendor, next to the mythical El Culatón that is located in the deepest par
 

Our recommendation for this route is:

• Wear suitable footwear, if possible trekking shoes that do not slip.
• Water to face the hours of travel.
• Some food in case you need it.
• Mobile phone.
• Carry out the route always in company.
   

At the end of either of the two routes, you can return to your vehicle and reach the top of Pico de Bandama. In it, there is one of the most famous viewpoints of the entire island, where you can contemplate views of the summit, the municipality of Telde, Santa Brigida and even Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
 

To crown this day at the Caldera de Bandama, we recommend that you take a walk around the area, through the small bars that offer the best Canarian food. In addition, you can tour the small wineries that are in the surrounding area and taste the best wines of the land.

This is the end of our post dedicated to one of the most famous places on the island. You will have verified that, to enjoy nature and history, you do not need to travel many kilometers.

Just 20 minutes from the capital, you can enjoy a volcanic environment, vegetation that is found in few places and some trails that allow you to see the wonders of this caldera in all its splendor.
 

In short, to visit Bandama in Gran Canaria is to get to know the origin of the island a little better, soak up its history and be able to taste the best wines on the islands.