Las Breñas: Mountain Village, GR-131 and Culture

Las Breñas at a glance

Las Breñas is a mountain village about 150 metres above sea level, situated on the foothills of Los Ajaches. With its white houses of no more than two storeys, Las Breñas is considered an example of Canarian architecture. When choosing a place to stay, you can therefore consider different aspects of the village: walking and outdoor activities, as well as a local cultural connection to Víctor Fernández Gopar and Canarian music.

Walking and cycling

The Camino Natural de Lanzarote (GR-131) passes through Las Breñas. The full route is 71 kilometres long and divided into five stages. The Yaiza–Playa Blanca stage leads to Las Breñas and includes a section of more than 1,500 metres where the trail follows a road. The 71 kilometres and five stages refer to the entire Camino; the road section is part of the Yaiza–Playa Blanca stage. Take this road section into account when planning your day for the Yaiza–Playa Blanca stage.

The Camino is suitable for walking; a very large part of its route can also be cycled. Las Breñas has trails for short and long walks, and mountain biking is one of the activities practised there. If you enjoy walking, you can consider the long-distance trail, with its multiple stages, and walks of different lengths as separate options. Las Breñas thus offers more than one scale of outdoor activity to suit your interests.

Village and surroundings

A walk through Las Breñas gives you an impression of the village’s harmonious urban landscape. The white houses and their limit of no more than two storeys give its architectural character a clear frame, while its location on the foothills of Los Ajaches places the mountain village within its landscape.

The Salinas de Janubio are close to Las Breñas. Salt production is now the only activity that remains at the salt flats. Alongside the mountain village itself, the nearby salt flats therefore offer another point of reference.

Culture and festivals

The Encuentro Folklórico Víctor Fernández Gopar takes place in Las Breñas every year. It commemorates Víctor Fernández Gopar, known as “El Salinero”, as a master of writing verses and of the craft of laying out and managing salt flats. The name of the gathering thus brings together literary creation and knowledge of the salt-making craft.

A sculpture honouring the life and work of “El Salinero” was unveiled in Las Breñas. It weighs 90 kilograms and is 2.40 metres high. A replica stands in the square of his hometown. The commemoration of Fernández Gopar is thus reflected both in the folkloric gathering and in the sculpture.

Another musical connection is the Parranda Janubio. It was founded in 1986 at the initiative of residents at the Las Breñas Teleclub; its repertoire consists mostly of traditional Canarian music. The Encuentro and the Parranda offer different ways to explore local culture: an annual gathering in honour of “El Salinero” and a group whose repertoire is predominantly traditional.

Las Breñas celebrates its patron saint, San Luis Gonzaga, with patron-saint festivities; the main day is 21 June. The festival week includes Canarian stalls and markets. These celebrations differ from the Encuentro Folklórico: while the gathering commemorates “El Salinero”, the patron-saint festivities are dedicated to San Luis Gonzaga.

Discover more destinations: El Golfo, Uga, El Barquito, Las Casitas De Femés, Femés, Playa Blanca

Return to the main travel overview: Yaiza.