Caminando en Gran Canaria Fincas

DETAILS

CIRCULAR ROUTE AROUND THE VOLCÁN DE BANDAMA

The Great Volcano

The Caldera of Bandama is one of the most outstanding volcanic elements on the island of Gran Canaria. This entire geological collection is made up of two structures. On one hand the Pico, with its crater; on the other hand the Caldera, both elements created as a result of severe eruptions that took place between year 47 B.C and 123 A.C. The Caldera shows a concave hollow shape, with a 900 meter diameter and nearly 250 meters depth. We are talking about the ´Gran Volcán´, as some writers have named it.

1-Stretch: descent to the bottom of la Caldera. 930 metres. 20 minutes.
Our route starts at the bus stop located at 450 meters of altitude. There is a sign in the surroundings that indicates us the entrance to la Caldera. Moving forward all straight we find the hamlet´s chapel. Straight away we will find a metal door used as protection for the way down. Once we cross the gate, there is an entrance on the right side that guides us to a lookout spot made out of volcanic stone. Here we will see an informative panels that explain how the volcano was developed.
We go back and return to the driveway and then go down the paving stone narrow street with volcanic stone walls at both sides. We keep walking down the paving about 140 meters, just to the volcanic stone area, full of cactus and white brooms at both sides. Now we descend over the volcanic land and after doing four twistings and turnings path, we gain access to the viewpoint el Mirador del Cornical. We are now in a rest area where we can enjoy the landscape. We will see a copperwood just in the middle of this place.
We will continue the hike going down the last stretch. Be careful! Do not fall down since this is a slippery path. After 20 minutes walking we arrive to a place known as Las Piedras, called like this due to the sizeable stones that flank the crossroad.


2-Stretch: route around to the bottom of la Caldera . 1,210 meters. 30 minutes.
We move forward to the left side just to a stone era- Victorian Age- under the shadow of several eucalyptus, next to the remains of an ancient winery and houses in ruins (Casa de El Fondo). After visiting this installations, and always respecting the elements that could be found in here (all belong to someone), we start the circular route to the bottom of la Caldera.

The route we must go along passes in front of the wine cellar. Right now, the walker has to make a choice: the longest alternative would be to continue all straight through the second house (Casa de Agustinito). Otherwise, the most suitable option consists of taking the pathway on the right side to arrive to a second eucalyptus clump. Both options will guide us to the wood signpost situated under the shadow of the eucalyptus. This signpost, dated November, 2008, was installed to commemorate the nineteenth (19th) day of the tree in Gran Canaria.

From here on the path slightly rises heading for the south bottom of la Caldera. We arrive to an area with plenty of wild olive trees and brooms, as well as some canary palm trees. Later on we gain access to a picnic spot from where we can observe open rock cavities dressed with white flowers from the cliff´s mallows. We are in Las Cuevas de la Bodega, a great place to have a rest and gaze at the scenery and flora around us. We continue our route through a high narrow path to approach the pond El Culatón. Going down across the stairs made in the ground, we reach the main path, specifically we get to Las Piedras, where we end this route.

3-Stretch: back to the beginning. 930 meters. 20 min.
Now it is time to return, calmly and at your own pace. It is necessary to do the same way back. It´s only a one-thousand-meter path that people will do at their own speed. It will take an average of 20 minutes, climbing a 200 meter walk. Take it easy and take deep breaths while walking. Enjoy the route.




Author: Goncal Portabella Text reviewer: Yaiza de la Campa

Warning: The descriptions and other materials included in this site are supplied just with informative purposes and cannot be regarded as an invitation, advice or suggestion to be done. Our aim is to offer the most precise and updated information and that is why the author of this guide, both in the QR code and also in the Gran Canaria Natural website, warns about any possible inconvenience in the state of the pathways caused due to human activities or atmospheric conditions.

The access to nature involves certain risks. The author of this guide and Gran Canaria Natural accepts no responsibility for any accident or injure that could happen to the user of this guide for making bad use of it or misunderstanding the information provided