Central Tour - Cruz de Tejeda

Continuing our journey through the central massif further west, we arrive at our next point of interest, the small village of Tejeda and the nearby Cruz de Tejeda (Cross of Tejeda), a sombre carved stone cross on a mountain pass at 1580 m (5184 ft) above sea level, marking the notional centre of Gran Canaria.

At this popular sightseeing attraction, you’ll find bustling restaurants and bars, shops selling souvenirs and other local specialities and a man offering donkey rides to children. From the Parador Cruz de Tejeda, a state-run hotel at the fringe of the crater, and other vantage points in the nearby surroundings you’ll enjoy magnificent views over the island’s mountains and valleys. If you crave peace, then you should avoid this area at weekends, as this is also a favourite place of excursion for the locals.

The high peaks will obviously attract serious walkers and climbers but this area also offers relatively short and easy walks to tempt the less energetic for a pleasant stroll amid this dazzling scenery. Whilst some of these walks are new, most of them are caminos reales (royal paths), ancient tracks traversed by the Guanches to get around the interior of island.

The village of Tejeda, surrounded by terraced cornfields, orchards and vegetable cultivations, nestles – at about 1000 m (3281 ft) above sea level – in the slopes of a crater with the same name and boasts many archaeological remains such as graves, caves, rock engravings and paintings.

Without the upswing of tourism in this area, this village would have been deserted long ago, as it is not possible to live alone on agricultural cultivations on this barren land. As it is, this village has halved in size.

However, Tejeda provides a pleasant stopping place for lunch and while you are here try – or buy – some of the delicious, local almond sweet specialities Bienmesabe (literally: ‘It tastes good to me’) and marzipan.

When almond trees bloom during the first two weeks of February, Tejeda is at its prettiest – an occasion marked by the popular Almond Tree in Flower fiesta.