Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria

Roque Nublo Gran Canaria is the second highest peak in Gran Canaria, and is a regularly visited site, specially by hikers. It’s 80 meter high monolith rock sitting on the top of the area is Gran Canaria’s symbol and the nearly 2Km of height on that spot gives an astounding view over the whole island. Definitively recommended visiting!

Roque Nublo General Information

Roque Nublo (The Rock of the Clouds) is located in the central area of Gran Canaria, at 1813 meters of height. It can be reached by curvy roads going up to the spot basically from any direction from the coastline. The GC-600 road passes right by the location, and there is a parking close to the spot where you can leave your car (or bus, depending how you came).

But first, let me describe to you how it feels to get up here all the way down from the coastline.

Going towards Roque Nublo

If you are visiting the island as a tourist, you will most probably go here from the south. The end of the GC-500 coastline road actually merges in the GC-200 going up straight to the center of the island. One should take the GC-605 after the GC-200 (which is turning left after some 10km) which will take you straight to the GC-600 and your parking spot near Roque Nublo.

Approaching Roque Nublo Gran Canaria

From Maspalomas, you should take the GC-60/GC-500 road. When the road splits you should continue on GC-60 leading up to to GC-600 and again to the parking area nearby.

OK, so once you are on the road, you will have a really interesting experience of the surroundings change – from palm trees and ocean to a subcontinental mild climate and later to a mountainous climate, flora and fauna. The transition is gradual, but actually happens quite fast compared to a continental drive – you will be crossing only 50 or so kilometers.

Roque Nublo History

Roque Nublo Gran Canaria Monolith

In ancient times the island was created due to volcanic activity. Some 3-5 million years ago, the strato-volcano crater stood nearby, and all that remains today is the 80 meter tall ancient monolith pointing towards the sky, as a result of extensive erosion lasting for millions of years.

Some 3 – 3.9 million years ago, the explosive eruptions dominated Roque Nublo, pouring and throwing dense lithic rich material and low temperature pyroclastic flows which resulted an unusual trachy-phonolitic composition of the rock. The lava flow reached all to the ocean creating an unpredictably rich canyon structure all over the island.

About 3 million years ago the activity was at the top and it is estimated that in that period the island reached it’s current height. There was a catastrophic debris avalanche in that period forming the southern flank. The debris was channeled down the Barranco de Arguineguin which resulted with forming a horseshoe shaped crater here.

2.7 million years ago the activity stopped, and the period was noted as a time when the intrusion of a number of phonolitic domes, with associated fumarole activity, too place around the surrounding of the volcano.

The famous emblem of Gran Canaria – Roque Nublo, was an ancient and sacred place of worship of the Kings and elders of the Guanche people.

In the year of 1987 it was declared a protected natural area, and in 1994 it was declared a National Park.

Roque Nublo Hiking

View to the south from Roque Nublo

At the start of the climb up, you will be greeted with some traders offering various sweets and food and you can also take some tasty samples if you are not sure if you want to buy something. While we are at the food subject, make sure you bring a bottle of water – the climb is quite steep and might be exhaustive for elder folks. You will need around 30 to 45 minutes to go up to the spot, depending on your hiking capabilities.

Actually, it might take even more, not because of your eventual lack of sportiness or shape, but because the climb itself is offering magnificent views over the island, and you will probably do more brakes than planned just to enjoy the view or take a couple of photos.

Roque Nublo Gran Canaria endemic speices - pine trees featuring three needles

At this moment I should point out that the flora and fauna is really interesting and also unique. The vegetation is really rich and houses the only pine trees in the world that has 3 needles. As noted in some articles on this website, the endemic species on the island give a unique flavor to it. There are also numerous birds and reptiles (lizards) present there.

In the first phase of the climb, you will be able to view the Southern part of the island. On a clear day, if there are no cloud layers beneath “you feet” you will be able to see the entire southern zone of the island, all the way down to Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles and Puerto Mogan. The day I was visiting the spot was a really calm and clear day, so I was able to see much further than the perimeter of the island itself. But, bare with me and let’s climb further.

Species on the top of the peek with a zoom up detail of black moss

The next phase of the climb, you will be in a pine tree forest, relatively limiting your view, but take a look at the wild life while there. The pine trees shield the area beneath so it could get a bit colder than previously resulting in an early morning atmosphere with dew on the plants. With the sunbeams hitting the surface it brings a sparkling experience and will sure bring out a smile from you, specially if you like nature.

The final climb includes a rocky, steep area up to the monolith itself. On some days it can get quite windy, so do bring some backup clothes if you sweat a bit from the previous climb, so you do prevent a cold and be able to bask on the beach the next day.

Tenerife visible from Roque Nublo

A drop of pure nature

When you reach the top level of the area, it’s a simple walk to the monolith. Going around it you can observe all the parts of the island from here. The day I was visiting the place was so clear that I could see Tenerife from there, and it’s snow covered mountain peaks.

The only direction that is blocked a bit is to the East, where the highest peak on the island is located.

Other than that, it’s really gorgeous up there, and I will tell you the same as others told me about it: you just need to go up there and see for yourself.