BARRANCO DE LAS VACAS

BARRANCO DE LAS VACAS: THE HIDDEN CANYON OF GRAN CANARIA

The Barranco de las Vacas is a small sandstone canyon in south-eastern Gran Canaria. The walls are smooth and undulating, with colours ranging from orange to red. It is reminiscent of a Wild West landscape.

It is a easy to reach place,perfect for a quick stroll or for taking spectacular photos. It is not very well known yet, so you can visit it quietly and without too many people.

🌟 Why Visit the Barranco de las Vacas?

• Spectacular canyon: the rock walls have strange, curved shapes, sculpted by wind and time.
• Close to the road: it only takes a few minutes on foot to get there.
• Perfect for photos: the light entering between the walls creates beautiful shadow effects.

Special atmosphere: silence, warm colours and a landscape that looks like something out of a movie.

How to get there

The Barranco de las Vacas is located near the village of Temisas, along the road GC-550 connecting Agüimes in Santa Lucía de Tirajana.

Key steps to find the canyon:

1️⃣ Follow the GC-550 up to a small white bridge, located between km 14 e 15.
2️⃣ Park carefully - There is no official parking, so you will have to leave your car along the road, looking for a safe space (remember not to obstruct traffic!).
3️⃣ Carefully cross the guardrail - At the side of the bridge, you will see a small gap in the guardrail. This is where the path begins.
4️⃣ Go down a few metres along a beaten earth path. The difference in height is minimal, but the terrain can be slippery: be careful and use appropriate footwear.
5️⃣ Follow the dry bed of the gully for about 100 metres and... welcome to the canyon!

💡 Tip from local: Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid too many people and enjoy the perfect light for photos.

🚩 What to see

• The sandstone walls: smooth, curved, with warm colours.
• Light and shadow: at the right hours, the light creates an almost magical atmosphere.
• A different landscape: it almost feels like being on another planet.

💡 Best time for photos? From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the 16:00 at sunset,when the sun is lower and the light is soft.

💡 Useful Tips

• Distance: approximately 500 metres (round trip)
  
• Average length of visit: 30-40 minutes
• Difficulty: easy, but the initial descent can be a little slippery
• Avoid going there after the rain: the canyon can fill with water.
• Use comfortable shoes: the terrain is uneven.
• Respect the place: there are no bins or services, so take everything with you.

A surprising corner

The Barranco de las Vacas is small but breathtaking. Easy to reach, but different from the rest of the island. A place to visit, to enjoy nature and take unforgettable photos.