Risco Blanco – Geology, Nature and Hiking Routes

At the heart of Risco Blanco is a phonolitic intrusion that is approximately 400 metres high and measures around 600 metres at its base. Its very steep, almost vertical walls display pronounced jointing that converges towards the summit. Radiometric measurements date the intrusion to an age of 3.7 million years.

Landscape and Nature

After the village of Risco Blanco, the GC-654 road leads to the foot of the phonolitic intrusion. Risco Blanco lies within the Monumento Natural Riscos de Tirajana protected area. The natural monument is of geological and geomorphological interest and forms a particularly beautiful and unique landscape.

The Monumento Natural Riscos de Tirajana is home to numerous endemic species, including threatened or protected species. A botanical record of Sideritis dasygnaphala subsp. dasygnaphala comes from the adjacent slopes of Risco Blanco at an altitude of 1,353 metres.

Hiking and Cycling

The geological route to Risco Blanco begins approximately 1.5 kilometres from San Bartolomé de Tirajana on the road to Ayacata. It is approximately 5 kilometres long, offers panoramic views of Risco Blanco and the Barranco de La Culata watershed, and reaches the foot of Risco Blanco at kilometre 5.

The “Fuente de los Cascajales–Santa Lucía” route is 11,460 metres long and classified as moderate. Its path runs panoramically along the steep slopes of the Caldera de Tirajana; from the Paso del Indiano, it offers a view of Risco Blanco. The different route lengths and the stated difficulty provide clear points of comparison for personal day planning.

The Taidía–Risco Blanco cycling section is 7 kilometres long and has an average gradient of 6.9 percent. Hiking and cycling therefore focus on different types of activity, while each route opens up its own perspectives on the landscape around Risco Blanco.

The route descriptions also differ in their spatial views and reference points. The geological route connects the starting point on the road to Ayacata with the destination at the foot of the intrusion and the Barranco de La Culata watershed. The Santa Lucía route follows the steep slopes of the caldera and opens up a view from the Paso del Indiano. The connection from La Culata to the Pozo de Las Nieves leads uphill; the cycling section complements these hiking themes with a specified gradient. Length, difficulty, route, views and mode of travel therefore mark different characteristics of the routes.

The “Risco Blanco–Pozo de Las Nieves” route leads uphill from La Culata to the Pozo de Las Nieves and highlights Risco Blanco as a geological feature.

Culture and History

Risco Blanco is considered a possible location of the Risco de Humiaga, a temple of the ancient Canarians.

Other Places

Discover other places: La Caldera, Santa María De Guía De Gran Canaria, Arucas, Rosiana, Tasartico, Tenteniguada, Valsequillo, Las Marciegas

To the main travel overview: Gran Canaria.