Valsequillo: Hiking, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Hiking trails, landscapes and cultural heritage offer several specific ways to explore Valsequillo. Nine signposted hiking trails start here. There are also natural areas, historic buildings and living traditions. When choosing a route, it is worth considering how they differ: the length and difficulty are stated for several routes, while others are defined above all by their landscape or history.

Hiking: routes with different levels of difficulty

The Barranco de los Cernícalos hike is 5.5 kilometres long, with an estimated duration of four to five hours. Its technical and physical difficulty levels are both moderate. The seven-kilometre Tajinaste-Pasadera circular hike starts in Tenteniguada and leads to the foot of the Caldera de Los Marteles. Its technical difficulty is moderate, while its physical difficulty is moderate to high. The two routes therefore differ in both length and physical difficulty rating. Check local conditions before setting out on a hike.

The trail to the Caldera de Los Marteles starts in Rincón de Tenteniguada and follows the Tajinaste route towards the crater. Along the way, it passes the bases of Roque Grande and Roque Chico. When choosing a route, you can therefore take in both the caldera and the striking rock formations. Another option is the Camino de los Alfaques: this historic Camino Real served as a livestock trail and as a link between the highlands, the Caldera de Tenteniguada and the Caldera de los Marteles. From the highest section near Las Mesas, views extend across the northwest of Gran Canaria and the Caldera de Tenteniguada mountain range.

The number of nine signposted trails may change if the route network is revised. For your specific plans, you should therefore check the current route information.

Landscapes and nature in the Reserva de los Marteles

The Reserva Natural Especial de los Marteles also extends over parts of the municipality of Valsequillo and covers a total of 3,568.7 hectares. The Caldera de Los Marteles is considered a spectacular geological formation with high scientific, educational and landscape value. Biodiversity is also part of the protected area's character: it has a high concentration of endemic flora and fauna, including 23 plant species endemic to Gran Canaria and three reptile species endemic to the island.

The Barranco de los Cernícalos offers a different kind of landscape. Water flows freely there all year round, and large wild olive trees and Canary willows shape a humid forest. This makes the barranco a distinct nature-focused option among the routes around Valsequillo. The Ruta de Barrancos is a circular route that starts at the Barranco de Coruña and heads towards Lomito del Tafetal; the entire area belongs to the Reserva Natural Especial de los Marteles.

Cultural sites and traditions

The Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel was built between 1903 and 1923 on the site of a chapel established under the same name in the second half of the 17th century. Among its documented works of art is a baptismal font from Seville dating to the late 15th century: it is made of fired clay and decorated with green ceramics. The church also houses a sculpture of San Miguel Arcángel created by Luján Pérez. It is considered the only known work depicting the saint standing over a dog.

The Cuartel de El Colmenar and the Biblioteca Municipal Benito Pérez Galdós offer further historical insights. The historic Cuartel complex is located in the Barranco de San Miguel and was built in 1530 as temporary accommodation for cavalry troops. The library displays five religious sculptures from the Gothic-Flemish tradition that have been declared Bien de Interés Cultural. In the area around Valsequillo, the Molino de los Pérez is considered the oldest mill of its kind in the municipality; it dates from the 18th century.

Intangible cultural heritage also shapes the town. The Rancho de Ánimas de Valsequillo preserves a long-standing tradition that has endured over time. In 2025, it was designated an intangible Bien de Interés Cultural in the categories of social, ritual and festive customs, and forms of collective socialisation and organisation. Traditionally, the Rancho makes four rounds, starting on Christmas Eve; outside the season, there is also the “Ranchos de Levantisco” activity. Exact dates may vary from year to year.

The Fiestas del Almendrero en Flor take place every year in the first half of February at various locations in Valsequillo. They include cultural, social, gastronomic and musical activities; the programme may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around these festivities, check the dates for the relevant year.

More ideas for things to see

The “Quesos de Valsequillo” visitor route includes a visit to a farm, an introduction to milking and animal care, artisan cheese-making, and a tasting. If you plan this activity, check its availability in advance. Allow about an hour for a walk through the historic centre of Valsequillo.

Discover more destinations: Carrizal, El Estanco, La Ladera, Ojos de Garza, La Sorrueda, La Aldea De San Nicolás, Teror, Melenara.

For the wider travel overview: Gran Canaria.