Valleseco: Nature and Gofio Culture

Valleseco lies 1,000 metres above sea level and is often surrounded by a “sea of clouds” that shapes its intensely green landscape. Nature and cultural heritage offer different focal points for planning your trip: around La Laguna, the landscape and wildlife take centre stage, while channels, mills and churches tell the story of the area.

Landscape and nature around La Laguna

Eighty percent of Valleseco is designated as a protected natural area. One specific natural area is the Área Recreativa de La Laguna in the Parque Rural de Doramas. It lies in a broad volcanic caldera covered with plants typical of laurel forest vegetation. The protected area and the caldera refer to different scales: one figure applies to Valleseco, while the other describes the landscape around La Laguna.

There is also a small lagoon at La Laguna, where various birds come to drink. These include small birds such as pipits and canaries, as well as migratory birds such as herons. This natural area therefore combines a distinctive volcanic landform with a closer look at birdlife.

Water infrastructure and Gofio culture

Valleseco’s hydraulic heritage includes irrigation channels, reservoirs, wells, springs, watering troughs, washing places and mills. Four historic channels are named Honda, La Cumbre, Crespo and Romero. They continue to carry water from the highlands to farmland and mills. The channels are therefore not only part of the historic heritage but also continue to serve this purpose.

The Huerta Grande and El Molinete watermills used water from the channels to make Gofio. To learn more about this connection, visit the MECIV – Museo Etnográfico y Centro de Interpretación de Valleseco, an ethnographic museum and interpretation centre dedicated to Gofio culture in the Canary Islands. MECIV has permanent exhibitions. Water supply, mills and Gofio thus form a connected theme, while the museum focuses on Gofio culture.

San Vicente Ferrer Church and its furnishings

San Vicente Ferrer Church is one of Valleseco’s oldest buildings and dates from 1898. Notable features include a Mudéjar pulpit and Mudéjar coffered ceilings. The church also houses a restored 18th-century German organ, originally from the Iglesia del Pino de Teror. The date of construction, Mudéjar elements and organ offer different points of interest if you are interested in architecture and historic furnishings.

Festivals and dates

On the first Sunday in October, Valleseco celebrates the feast in honour of Our Lady of the Incarnation and the Fiesta de la Manzana. These are two separate festivals, and their programmes may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around these dates, check the programme for the relevant year.

Hiking and other activities

Valleseco has an extensive network of marked hiking trails. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out. A taxi can take hikers to the starting point and pick them up at the end of the route. The transfer must be confirmed in advance, so allow for this when planning your day.

The Área Recreativa de La Laguna has masonry barbecue grills, water taps and tables beneath chestnut trees. It also has a children’s area, exercise equipment and public toilets. Facilities may change, so it is advisable to confirm what is available before your visit. Prior telephone authorisation from the Ayuntamiento de Valleseco is required to use the facilities: 928 61 80 22, extension 102.

The Hipódromo de La Laguna also offers a clearly defined activity: it is the only federated horse-racing track in the Canary Islands, and the track is 900 metres long. Horse races are held there once a month. Race dates may change, so check the specific date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Santa Brígida, Telde, Balcon de Telde, Risco Blanco, Firgas, Teror, Arinaga, Lomo Quiebre.

For the broader travel overview: Gran Canaria.