Valleseco between a sea of clouds and gofio culture

Valleseco lies at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level. The town is often surrounded by a “sea of clouds”, which shapes the characteristic deep-green landscape.

Nature and Landscape

80% of Valleseco’s area is designated as a protected natural space. In the Parque Rural de Doramas, the Área Recreativa de La Laguna is located in a broad volcanic caldera covered with plants typical of laurel forest vegetation.

At La Laguna, a small lagoon is visited by various birds to drink, including small birds such as pipits and canaries, as well as migratory birds such as herons.

The Área Recreativa de La Laguna offers masonry-built barbecue areas, water taps and tables beneath chestnut trees, as well as a children’s area, exercise equipment and public toilets. Prior telephone authorisation from the Ayuntamiento de Valleseco at 928 61 80 22, extension 102, is required to use the facilities.

Outdoor Activities

Valleseco has extensive, signposted hiking trails. A taxi can take hikers to the starting point of a hike and collect them at the end of the route.

The Hipódromo de La Laguna is the only federated horse-racing track in the Canary Islands; the track is 900 metres long, and horse races are held there once a month.

If you have several interests in your travel plans, a clear distinction can help: natural areas and the lagoon, hiking trails and horse racing, as well as the museum and architectural history each offer their own focus.

Culture and History

The MECIV – Museo Etnográfico y Centro de Interpretación de Valleseco – is an ethnographic museum and interpretation centre dedicated to gofio culture in the Canary Islands and has permanent exhibitions.

Valleseco preserves a hydraulic heritage network of irrigation channels, reservoirs, wells, springs, watering troughs, washing places and mills. Four historic irrigation channels called Honda, La Cumbre, Crespo and Romero continue to transport water from the highlands to the cultivated areas and mills.

Watermills such as Huerta Grande and El Molinete used water from the irrigation channels to produce gofio.

The Church of San Vicente Ferrer is one of Valleseco’s oldest buildings and dates from 1898; its notable features include a Mudéjar pulpit and Mudéjar coffered ceilings.

The church also houses a restored German organ from the 18th century, which originally came from the Iglesia del Pino de Teror.

On the first Sunday in October, Valleseco hosts the celebration in honour of Our Lady of the Incarnation and the Fiesta de la Manzana.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Valleseco, you can first compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the accommodation pages. These fields are part of your own planning; the decision on where to stay can be made separately according to personal priorities such as nature, culture or event dates.

More places: Tarajalillo, Ingenio, Risco Blanco, Cazadores, Roque, Tafira Baja, Firgas, El Espinillo

To the higher-level travel overview: Gran Canaria.