Roque Nublo
The towering Roque Nublo is Gran Canaria’s most famous rock formation and the third-highest point on the island. The rock itself rises 67 metres, and its highest point stands 1,813 metres above sea level. According to geologists, it was formed by a volcanic eruption 4.5 million years ago.
On clear days, you can see all the way to Mount Teide on Tenerife (see the photo below), Spain’s highest mountain. Unfortunately, the summit is often shrouded in cloud, and Roque Nublo roughly translates as Cloud Rock. Cloudy and windy conditions can make the final stretch of the walk surprisingly cold, so remember to pack trousers and a warm layer.
The shortest and easiest walk to Roque Nublo starts at La Goleta on the GC-600 road. From here, it is approximately 1.5 kilometres to the impressive rock formation. In our experience, the walk is manageable for most people wearing sturdy footwear. Parking is no longer permitted at La Goleta. Visitors can instead park in Tejeda or at Cruz de los Llanos and take the shuttle bus to the start of the route. Access from La Goleta is controlled during the day and must be booked in advance.
More experienced walkers can begin in the small village of Ayacata and follow the trails via La Goleta to Roque Nublo. The walk covers approximately 6–7 kilometres in total, is moderately challenging and usually takes 3–4 hours. Walkers arriving on foot from Ayacata or via other connecting trails do not need to book in advance. Ayacata has a couple of restaurants where you can enjoy a well-earned meal after the walk.
Those keen to explore more of the beautiful Nublo Rural Park can also hike to the smaller rock formations of Roque del Fraile and La Rana.
Roque Nublo map
The former car park at La Goleta can be seen in the right-hand side of the map. From here, the trail leads to Roque Nublo at the top of the map. More experienced walkers can start their hike in Ayacata, shown near the bottom. A few kilometres to the north lies the beautiful mountain village of Tejeda.
