Camino de Santiago of Gran Canaria, from Maspalomas to Tunte

The Camino de Santiago of Gran Canaria, the "Camino de Santiago entre Volcanes" (Camino de Santiago among Volcanoes), leaves the Maspalomas dunes and crosses the island to Gáldar, in the north-west: about 70 km with 2,700 m of ascent, passing through Tunte and the Cruz de Tejeda. The first stage takes you from the sea to Tunte, at 890 metres, and is the most serious way to understand what lies behind the coast.

Three paths to Tunte

San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Council proposes three ways of climbing from Maspalomas to Tunte: via Ayagaures and the Degollada de Manzanilla, via Gitagana and the Degollada del Garito, or via Arteara and Fataga. It also allows the climb to be split in two, from Maspalomas to Ayagaures and from Ayagaures to Tunte. The whole is recommended in two, three or four stages, on foot or by bike, and its difficulty is medium-high. The terrain is dry with little shade: take plenty of water and set off early.

Tunte, the destination

Tunte is the centre of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, capital of the municipality since 1835, at the foot of the Morros del Pinar and beside the Tirajana caldera. Its church of San Bartolomé is one of the island's two Jacobean (St James) churches, with Santiago de los Caballeros in Gáldar. Since 1965 both have had the same jubilee privileges as Compostela, granted in perpetuity in 1992.

The credential

To stamp the Camino and request the certificate at Tunte or Gáldar you need the pilgrim's credential. It is issued by the churches of Tunte, Tejeda and Gáldar, the tourist offices and museums of those municipalities, the Patronato de Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Asociación Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Las Palmas.

Getting back from Tunte

Global bus 18 runs down from Tunte to the Maspalomas Lighthouse via Fataga. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays it leaves Tejeda at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:30, 16:30 and 17:30, and passes through San Bartolomé shortly afterwards.