Pico de las Nieves viewpoint

What it is

The highest point of Gran Canaria, at 1,949 metres, on the divide between Tejeda and San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Unlike the Roque Nublo, here you can drive right up to the viewpoint. From the railing you see, to the south, the Tirajana caldera, an amphitheatre of ravines dropping towards the coast; to the west, the Nublo Rural Park with the Roque Nublo and the Bentayga, and on clear days the Teide, in Tenerife, floating above the clouds.

Getting there

From Cruz de Tejeda you climb the ridge road towards the Llanos de la Pez and take the signposted turn-off to the peak. On the way, the Degollada de Becerra is another natural viewpoint over the Tejeda caldera, with a visitor centre. No bus goes up to the peak. The eastern side is a well-known cycling climb, one of the hardest in Spain according to Turismo de Gran Canaria: at weekends you will find cyclists on the road.

When to go

First thing or at sunset, when the light is low and the sea of clouds usually stays below. In winter it may freeze or snow on the ridge; if there is a warning, check the state of the roads before going up. Always wrap up: at almost 2,000 metres it is quite a bit colder than in Las Palmas.

With children or a dog

It is a short stop, with hardly any walking, which works for any age. With a dog, on a lead; the viewpoint is beside the road.