Roque Nublo, Map, Photographs, Information, Hiking, Tours
This enormous basalt monolith stands 80 meters tall and 1,813 meters above sea level. It was an ancient place of worship for the aborigines.
It is one of the largest volcanic cones in the world, although it is actually the remnant of a pyroclastic flow of blocks and ash originated from the explosive eruption of the stratovolcano that bore its name, 4.6 million years ago. This complex was a central volcano as spectacular as Teide itself, which may have reached a height of at least 2,500 meters above sea level, and its materials covered an area of approximately 540 square kilometres.
This iconic rock monument can be seen from many roads through the mountains. there are several viewpoints with car parking on these roads, such as:
- Mirador Pico Pozos, The traditional highest peak on Gran Canaria
- Mirador Degollada de Becerra. One of the best viewpoints
- Mirador Páramo de la Degollada.
- Vista Roque Nublo.
- The Mirador Degollada de La Goleta is located on the Main Road, and the nearest location to walk from, for the walk to Roque Nublo. From Feb. 2025, the car park was closed to all vehicles except for authorised vehicles
- Signpost at Mirador Degollada de La Goleta
Interactive 3600 Photograph of the Mirador, the Start of the Roque Nublo Walk
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- Also there is no parking and no waiting on the road between Ayacata & Cruz de los Llanos Car Park (Aparcamiento), except for a stretch of off road parking at the picnic area Llanos de La Pez. Note there is no bus stop at Llanos de La Pez therefore it's a walk to La Goleta Mirador.
The Walk to the rock
Interactive 3600 Photograph of Start of the Roque Nublo Walk
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Video of
Lets re-check we have everything we need
- Your permission to start the walk at your selected time either printed Q code or on mobile.
- Water, Food, Emergency Food. There is normally a food & drink van at the start viewpoint
- Warmer clothing & waterproof clothing. It's colder the higher you go. The clouds are usually below you, but this can change with a vast change in temperature.
- A small first aid kit, your in the mountains so a whistle & compass may be needed.
- Sun Hat, Sunglasses & sunscreen. Above the clouds UV is very strong.
- Camera.
We start the walk at Mirador (Viewpoint) Degollada de La Goleta at a height of 1579m (5174 feet), your destination the base of the 80m (262 ft) tall Roque Nublo at 1733 meters. That's a difference in height of 154m, but because of a large dip in the path between El Fraille & Roque Nublo , the actual climb is greater than 154m. A height greater than a 50 story building. For most of the distance the slope is not too great, There is a short steep section just before the sloping plateaux surrounding the rock.
The top of the rock monolith is 1,813 meters (5,948 ft) above sea level. The walk there and back is 3 km at takes around 90 minutes
As you approach the entrance you can see the magnificent view of your goal. Note how the land in front of you is the just below the right side of the summit of a ridge
The first thing to do after passing through the entrance is to show your Q Code, previously obtained free online & your ID at the control hut.
At the start the path is well maintained and the surface is made up of flat stones. This deteriorates to a natural trail further on. The climb is steadily rising through a forest of pine trees, the trail is on the left side and below the ridge, with iter-mitten views through the trees including panoramic views over the village of Ayacata, nestling below to your left.
Later the trail is supported on the downhill side by a thick stone wall, with the top of the wall level with the trail surface, in places the top of the wall is an easier walk than the rougher trail surface.
When the trail bends to the right we will catch the first glimpse of the pine forest landscape of Llanos de La Pez and Pico de Los Pozos de Nieve. 100 metres further on we come to a first split in the footpath, with a wooden signpost pointing to “La Culata”. This route takes us to the end of our itinerary. We are now at an altitude of 1,676 metres and we continue straight ahead and upwards. We just have one more bend to negotiate, rising sharply, before we reach a crossroads situated some 1,721 metres altitude (24 minutes and 1.14 km from our starting point). We are now at the point known as Degollada del Nublo. The wooden signpost points in two directions: La Culata and Roque Nublo. We take the second option, but on our return we come back to the same point and take the La Culata option. We continue steadily upwards and turn right; we then climb a number of rocky steps and a little further on we turn left. We now come to a small platform just before the Tablón. We just need to climb another set of rocky steps, towards Roque Nublo. At a certain point here we can make out Gran Canaria’s three grand reservoirs: Chira, Soria and Cueva de Las Niñas; this is one of the few points on the island where all three come into view at the same time. The toponym “nublo” probably has its origins in the term “neblina”, meaning mist, a word commonly used by the island’s country folk to refer to the sheet of low clouds that usually covers a large swathe of the island’s hills and peaks. The boldest visitors usually touch the rock and sometimes even go around the back on the right-hand side, to the northeast of the Roque. If we try to do this, we should take great care not to slip and slide on the stony ground, and should be aware of the feeling of vertigo that may be experienced on this last point.
Depending on which direction you are viewing from the rocks shape dramatically changes.
Walking to Roque Nublo Rules
IMPORTANT, New rules are in operation from Feb. 2025. To preserve the area from excessive tourist Wear & Tear.
- To walk to Roque Nublo or El Fraile from the nearest road at Degollada de La Goleta Mandatory online reservation is required to obtain a FREE Q code that is required to walk in the Roque Nublo area. Along with an ID Card or Passport to verify the identity of the applicant.
- Tour organizers have group permits, so if you are going on an organised walk you do not need to obtain the Q Code. See Walking Tours below.
- The Q Code permit has a start time slot eg. the time you arrive at the control hut. You can usually start up to 1 hour before the start time, and you can stay as long as you want.
No reservation required if:
- You arriving outside of peak hours (9:00-17:00).
- You have climbing authorization in the Roque Nublo Natural Monument.
- You access the Nublo Natural Monument via these alternative trails without registration:
- La Culata Trail is circular 7.51km & takes around 4 hours. Website
- Degollada de la Hoya de La Vieja trail.
About Parking , Waiting, No Stopping on the Road
No Stopping and No Parking Signs
- There are no parking or no waiting on the road for miles between the 2 nearest car parks, There are also signs along most of the entire section with no stopping signs.
- These restrictions may be emphasised by yellow zig zag lines or Single Solid White line at the side of the road. A single white in Gran Canaria is the same as a double white line in the UK.
- Single Solid White Line: No Parking, no Waiting, and I believe no stopping. A Single Solid Yellow Line in Gran Canaria is the same as a double yellow line in the UK
- Broken Yellow line: No Parking, Pick up & drop off of passengers is allowed, the waiting time must be very short & the driver must remain in the car.
- No Stopping means exactly that, no stopping at all, no pick up or set down.
- No Waiting allows for loading & unloading and I assume drop off & pickup of passengers.
- Be aware that the Parking Fines are Horrendous, €150 to €600. So be warned: Use the 2 nearest car parks, with nearby bus route L18 to Roque Nublo
- Tejeda Bus Station.
- Cruz de Los Llanos.
- There is a Bus service that connects Degollada de La Goleta with the 2 nearest Car Parks every 30 minutes. morning & late afternoon
The Walk from Degollada de La Goleta to Roque Nublo
- &Degollada de La Goleta viewpoint is on theGC600 road and gives access to the shortest walk to the rock. This is the most popular starting point. for the walk.
- The Walk to Roque Nublo is 2.3miles (3.75km) there and back, taking around 90 minutes. The trail is well maintained to start with, up to the El Fraile (the Friar) then becomes rough especially on the steep section. just before the slightly rising plateau around the rock base.
- Strong shoes are recommended., see interactive photo below:
Interactive 3600 Photograph of The steeper slope just before the slope of the plateaux
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Bus Public Transport to Roque Nublo
There are 2 bus stops, one on either side of the road, both stops have bench seats and a glass shelter. and are on 2 lines of the L18 route.
Bus Stop on the far side of the road from the path to the rock
Behind this stop are temporary chemical toilets & waste Bins.
Destination:
- From Maspalomas
- Tejeda circular route via Cruz de los Llanos Car Park (Aparcamiento)
Cruz de los Llanos Bus Stop & Car Park behind
Bus Stop on the near side of the road from the path to the rock
This stop is slightly further away up the main road.
Destination:
- To Maspalomas
- Tejeda circular route via Ayacata
Roque (Rock) Nublo Guided Walking Tours
Below are our recommended walk tours around Rock Nublo that vary from 5 hours to 8 hours, and of varying distances walking distance
Distances From Roque Nublo
Distance to Pico de las Nieves 4.1kilometres
Distance to Mount Teide on Tenerife 106.47 km (66.16 mi), very prominent on a clear day.
Hikes Roque Nublo
The Volcano Heart Tour: Hiking, Tasting and Sunset Experience
10 Hours
From Southern Resorts
Hike to Rock Nublo, and Sunset at Pico de Nieves
Gran Canaria: "Peaks of Gran Canaria" Hiking Tour from Southern Resorts
- 9 hours. Limited to 8 participants'
- Included a international mountain leader, guide, food, hiking poles, insurance, transport - air-conditioned 9-seater minibus
- Pick up from Southern resorts
- The trek time & distance is around 3.5hours 7km, of 4.5hours 10km depending on the day of the week selected.
- Click the link below for more information or to book
