Reaching the highest point of Gran Canaria is one of the main attractions that the Central Route of the island has to offer. The route covers the localities of Santa Brígida, San Mateo, Tejeda, Artenara, Valleseco and Teror.
Duration of the route: 1 day
What you must not miss:
On your way through the Central route, visit the Tourist Offices of Santa Brígida, Vega de San Mateo, Tejeda, Artenara, Valleseco and Teror; which you will find in each of these villages. The tourist consultants will make the visit easier.
In Santa Brígida:
- Historic Centre: The Calle Real (Royal Street) and the Calle de en Medio (Middle Street) (traditional canarian architecture), the Square and the Church of Santa Brígida.
- Casa del Vino (the House of Wine)
- Pico de Bandama (the Bandama Peak) in Monte Lentiscal (2.8 kms from the village centre). Spectacular views of the Caldera de Bandama (Bandama Crater).
- La Atalaya pottery centre (3.6 kms from the village centre)
- Street Market, weekend
In La Vega de San Mateo:
- Agricultural and handcrafting market, weekends
- Village Centre: Church of San Mateo
- Pozos de las Nieves (16.6 kms from the village)
In Tejeda:
- Village Centre: The Abrahán Cárdenes Museum, the Néstor Álamo Corner, the Church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro
- Ethnographical Museum
- The Medicinal Plant Centre
- Magnificent views of the Roque Nublo from the National Parador of Tejeda
- Peak of Los Pozos de las Nieves
In Artenara:
- La Cuevita Hermitage
- Pine tree area of Tamadaba (11.5 kms from the village)
- Views of the Bentayga Rock from the Miguel de Unamuno Mirador.
In Valleseco:
- La Virgen Gully in the Rural Park of Doramas (10 kms from the village)
- The German church organ from the XVIII century in the Church of San Vicente Ferrer
- La Laguna de Valleseco (the Valleseco Lagoon) (2 kms from the village centre)
In Teror:
- Historic Centre: The Basilica and Camarín (Small Chamber) of Nuestra Señora del Pino, Los Patronos House Museum, the canarian balconies, the Plaza of Simón de Bolivar, the Town Hall and the Cultural Centre
- The Teror streetmarket and the handcrafting corner (weekends)
- The Osorio Estate and Nature Park (1.5 km from the village)
Gastronomy of the Place:
“Lustrado” sponge cake, grilled meat, “gofio escaldado” (a paste of toasted corn flour), grilled “chorizo” (spiced pork sausage), mazapan, almonds, pumpkin pancakes, “truchas rellenas” (stuffed pastry) , “milflores” honey, cheese, “dulces monjas del Cister” (confectionery by the Cister nuns) and “chorizos” from Teror (a spiced sausage spread).
Pocket Recomendations:
Fiesta del Almendro en Flor (the Almond Flower Festivity), Tejeda, February.
Fiesta Virgen de la Cuevita (Festivity of the Virgin of La Cuevita), patron saint of canarian folklore and cyclists. Artenara, August.
Romería (traditional street festivity) of Nuestra Señora del Pino, patron saint of Gran Canaria, Teror, September.
Fiesta de la Manzana (the Apple Festivity), Valleseco, October.
Fiesta de San Antonio de Padua (Florabrígida) (Festivity and Flower Exhibition), June.
Vega de San Mateo, festivities of San Mateo with the Bajada del Vino (Bringing of the Wine), September.
