Centre Tour - Central Massif
We are slowly approaching the mountainous centre of the island with its spectacular central massif and its commanding high peaks, which can already be seen from far. Scenic, narrow roads climb up in serpentines past tiny, enchanting villages, narrow terraced fields, high plateaus, deep ravines and peculiarly shaped basalt rocks. En route we will pass lush, subtropical vegetation including exotic fruit and eucalyptus trees gradually substituted by pines, holm oaks, bushes and shrubs in higher regions. Even less accessible places in this area can often be reached by minor roads or tracks.
Pico de las Nieves, also known as Pozo de las Nieves (well of snow), is with 1949 m (6395 ft) the highest point of the island of Gran Canaria and marking at the same time also its centre. It is followed by the charismatic Roque Nublo, 1817 m, (5960 ft.) topped with a basalt finger protruding about 60 m (197 ft.) high and the Roque Bentayga with 1412 m (4632 ft.) height. The two latter ones were considered holy places by the Guanches, who left many inscriptions, ceremonial sites and granaries in this area.
Much of the centre of the island is covered by either archaeological parks documenting the natives’ life of long past times in this region or nature reserves to preserve the sensitive ecosystems of these unique landscapes.
It is often much cooler up here and it can be misty – the highest peaks being often in clouds – but when the weather is good you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over spectacular sceneries and you might even be able to see some of the neighbouring islands such as Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma.
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