Canary islands

Trek through the Barranco Azuje gorge

Jungle to the waterfalls

Wrote 135 articles and follows him / her 16 travelers
Trek through the Barranco Azuje gorge
Inserted: 25.01.2022
Author: Dominika Charvátová © gigaplaces.com
Suitable for:
Adventurers
Excursionist
They been there:
They want there:

An interesting day trip to the jungle that will take you to the waterfalls is the Barranco Azuje gorge, which you will find 30 minutes by bus from the capital of Gran Canaria Las Palmas. The bus takes you to the village of San Andrés, where there are beautiful surf waves. But we will take the opposite direction from the ocean, to the gorge facing inland. It doesn't seem like it at first, but goratex shoes don't find use here.

Beginning in San Andrés

We set off on a trek from Las Palmas, where we found a bus that took us to the village of San Andrés on the north coast of Gran Canaria in about 30 minutes. The village is small, poor and with only a few crumbling houses, but the square was nice. As Christmas approached, so did the decorations.

Beginning in San Andrés
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Surfing beach

The biggest bustle and lively in this village was on the beach, respectively in the waves. The incoming round waves in regular internals offer surfers of different levels plenty of space for fun. We fell in love with the art of surfing for a while and set off in the opposite direction inland to the Barranco Azuje gorge.

Surfing beach
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Wild jungle

Very soon from the county road we begin to find ourselves in a real tropical jungle. We are surrounded by wild vegetation of huge dimensions. We walk through bamboo tunnels and at the same time the road copies a small stream, which winds through the whole gorge and gives moisture to this green splendor around.

Wild jungle
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

The valley of palm trees

The road led us to the valley, where we had a view of the surrounding hills. We still walked in the valley and followed the river, which slowly began to disappear under a layer of impenetrable vegetation. So we decided this impenetrable piece of the way both and began to climb to the top of the valley to the village of Casablanca.

The valley of palm trees
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

We climb to the village of Casablanca

On the way up to the village of Casablanca and the whole valley we have it in the palm of our hand. The vegetation here grows every bit of land. Down in the valley, there are a few buildings that have fields next to them. We don't understand how the locals get here over steep slopes.

We climb to the village of Casablanca
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

View from the village to the ocean

After climbing the edge of the gorge, where the village of Casablanca is located, we were rewarded by the view across this part of the valley to the ocean from which we left. Terraced fields are beautifully visible along the slopes of the valley.

View from the village to the ocean
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Entrance to the next valley

After we climbed to the edge of the valley to the village, we had to go down a short distance down the road to join our original route. The narrow roads that cross the hilly interior of the island cross the valley with beautifully arched stone bridges. Behind one of them, which is at the end of the Barranco de la Virgen valley, we have returned to the river and the planned approaching waterfalls.

Entrance to the next valley
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Former spa

A nature reserve – Reserva Natural Especial de Azuje – starts right behind the stone bridge. The reserve is located in a valley between the villages of Firgas and Moya. Right from the edge of the reservation, you will come across the building of the already crumbling closed former spa.

Former spa
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Across the river on the footbridges

In the valley flows a river with several cascading waterfalls, which are a popular destination for refreshment. The river and surrounding vegetation offer a pleasant climate even in the summer months. From the region you will find several information signs about the area and even a picnic area with seating. As it climbs deeper into the valley, the journey becomes more adventurous. The footbridges cease to be solid or non-existent. Sometimes we scratched the rocky slippery terrain with the help of a prepared rope.

Across the river on the footbridges
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

From the waterfall to the swamp

The main attractions of the route, the waterfalls are beautiful and the vest is quite accessible. Then this main better road leads to the right to the village of Moya. But we chose the second way, where people and guides went, because it is no longer as well marked and you can easily get lost in the wetland, just like us. Originally we wanted to walk the whole valley to the village of San Fernando, after a while wandering in the swamp, we had to return muddy with wet boots to find the right turn and finally to the nearest village Firgas from where the bus is back.

From the waterfall to the swamp
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

View of the impenetrable valley

Once we have found the right way to the village of Firgas. We got a view of the rest of the valley towards the originally planned destination station. The path through the dense vegetation in the valley is not visible at all. We were even more surprised by the houses, some completely new or under construction, just a few meters above the gorge, where we sank into the swamp.

View of the impenetrable valley
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Road to the village of Firgas

For the last few kilometers to the village of Firgas, the road rose from the valley. Here again we were pleased to see to what extent succulents and agaves are able to grow here when they have good conditions. The last bus left us from the village in 40 minutes, so there wasn't much time to look around and we added to the pace.

Road to the village of Firgas
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Firgas

The village of Firgas is a truly picturesque mountain village with steep streets and beautiful decoration. Poinsettias line the water cascade falling along the promenade.

Firgas
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com

Firgas and street decorations

If you have a trip around, we recommend the village of Firgas just a short stop. It is really worth it, its decoration of the main promenade will also offer themed sitting on benches made of painted tiles. A little further on, they have models of all the Canary Islands with descriptions. We get on the last bus of the day and in less than an hour we are back in Las Palmas. Along the way, we still enjoy the views, because the bus twists with us through narrow serpentines.

Firgas and street decorations
Author: Dominika Šmejkalová © gigaplaces.com
Applaud the author of the article!
Share it on:

Articles nearby

Distance 0 km
Visit to the town of Firgas

Visit to the town of Firgas

Distance 4 km
Bus stop in Arucas

Bus stop in Arucas

Distance 9 km
Gran Canaria - west of the island

Gran Canaria - west of the island

Distance 12 km
Stop in the town of Tejeda

Stop in the town of Tejeda

Distance 13 km
Walk around Las Palmas

Walk around Las Palmas

Distance 13 km
Tour of Puerto de las Nieves

Tour of Puerto de las Nieves

Distance 13 km
Exit to Pico de Bandama

Exit to Pico de Bandama

Distance 15 km
Hike to Roque Nublo

Hike to Roque Nublo

Distance 15 km
Gran Canaria - the center of the island

Gran Canaria - the center of the island

Practical information

Thanks!

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

Already rated by 0 travelers

Have you been there? Write a review of this place

You must be logged in to post a review or