Roque Bentayga in Gran Canaria
Why this rock formation deserves a visit

If you’ve been researching Gran Canaria, you’ve probably come across Roque Nublo, the iconic cloud rock. But tucked away in the island’s mountainous heart is Roque Bentayga: a sacred site, a natural wonder, and one of the most overlooked spots on the island.

It’s quieter, more meaningful, and in many ways, even more rewarding than its famous sibling.

I’ve visited both, and while Roque Nublo has the crowds and the views, Roque Bentayga offered something deeper: solitude, history, and a real connection to the land and its people.

Here, I’ll show you exactly why Roque Bentayga deserves a place on your Gran Canaria itinerary: from how to get there and what to expect on the hike, to the ancient caves and ceremonial sites that make this place unlike anywhere else on the island.

Where is Roque Bentayga, and what makes it special?

Roque Bentayga sits almost exactly in the centre of Gran Canaria, above the small mountain village of Tejeda. It lies within the Nublo Rural Park and rises dramatically at the edge of the Caldera de Tejeda.

Roque Bentayga is said to reach between 1,404 and 1,414 metres above sea level, depending on the source.

Geologically speaking, it’s a basalt monolith. A massive block of solidified lava that remained standing while the surrounding landscape eroded over millions of years. The result is a striking rock formation that looks almost like a natural stone tower.

While Roque Nublo gets most of the attention, Roque Bentayga is often the more interesting stop if you’re into history, ancient sacred sites and quieter places. It still feels like a real hidden gem on the island, especially compared to Gran Canaria’s more famous landmarks.

Getting There & Parking at Roque Bentayga

From the coast – whether you’re coming from the south around Maspalomas or from Las Palmas in the north – the drive usually takes about an hour, sometimes a little longer. The roads are winding, but generally well maintained and easy to drive.

South of Tejeda, a smaller road branches off from the GC-60 towards Roque Bentayga. From there, simply follow the brown signs marked “Roque Bentayga”.

After less than five minutes, you’ll reach the parking area right next to the visitor centre. (⇨ location).

Good to know: The visitor centre is free to enter and is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday, roughly between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. ⇨ Details

Hiking up Roque Bentayga – what you should know

Roque Bentayga lies within a biosphere reserve and is part of the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rock itself rises around 600 metres above the surrounding valleys.

If you’re someone who loves combining nature with ancient culture, this is where it all comes together. Roque Bentayga isn’t just scenic, it’s sacred. Standing here, surrounded by silence and caves carved into the cliffside, you can almost feel the island’s ancestral energy.

The trail up to Roque Bentayga is not a long hike, but a short and fairly steep climb. It’s more of a compact ascent than a relaxed walk. Regular sneakers with smooth soles aren’t ideal. You’ll want something with grip, even if it’s just lightweight hiking shoes.

For the ascent and descent combined, you’ll usually need between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on how often you stop to take in the views. And you will stop often, trust me on that.

Main trail to the summit and the Almogarén (sacred site)

The usual starting point is the parking area next to the visitor centre. It’s well worth stopping by the free exhibition first.

You’ll find models, photos and clear information about the Guanches, their caves and their rituals. The guides on site are very friendly and happy to answer questions.

From the centre, a clearly marked trail leads uphill. At first, the path is fairly easy, following a wider track.

After that, it turns into a narrower, rocky trail. Towards the top, there are a few steeper steps and sections close to the edge, but everything is secured. Even with my mild fear of heights, I felt completely fine here.

The first major point you’ll reach is the Almogarén, an ancient ceremonial site used by the island’s original inhabitants. In the rock, you can see carved hollows that were likely used for rituals, offerings or astronomical observations.

On this level, you’ll also come across several caves. In fact, there are more than 100 natural and man-made caves on Roque Bentayga.

To preserve the archaeological site and ensure safety, access to the very top is restricted. Still, the area feels very much like a summit once you’re up there.

From here, you can see:

• Roque Nublo in the distance, standing out like a silhouette on the horizon
• Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island
• deep ravines cutting through the landscape like folds
• the village of Tejeda, nestled into the slopes

We were lucky with clear weather during our visit and had views all the way to the Atlantic, with a light haze. On some days, a blanket of clouds settles below the peaks, looking like a white sea. Only the highest points rise above it, almost like islands floating in the mist.

Roque Bentayga and the Guanches

For the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands, often referred to as the Canarios or Guanches, this rock was a sacred place.

In the past, Roque Bentayga was used as a ceremonial site, a place to live and a refuge. The Almogarén played an important role as a ritual area. Archaeologists believe that offerings were made here, ceremonies were held, and possibly even astronomical observations took place.

As in many other parts of the island, you can spot numerous caves in the surrounding rock faces. These caves were used as homes, storage spaces or sanctuaries.

In the 15th century, during the Spanish conquest, Roque Bentayga also served as a place of refuge. Some sources suggest that people retreated here and held out for a time before the island was finally subdued.

Looking at the steep rock walls today, it’s easy to imagine how difficult this place must have been to access back then.

Today, the area is protected as an archaeological park. As mentioned before, the visitor centre provides plenty of clear and interesting background information in Spanish and English.

Additionally, the guides are incredibly helpful, very friendly and genuinely happy to share their knowledge with visitors.

Best time to visit Roque Bentayga

Gran Canaria has a reputation for mild weather all year round. That’s broadly true, but once you head into the mountains, altitude, clouds and wind matter much more than down at the coast. Roque Bentayga sits at around 1,400 metres, and you notice that immediately.

I usually plan trips into the island’s interior on days with a stable weather forecast. If the mountain forecast already shows clouds and fog in the morning, I’d rather postpone the visit to another day.

The area around Tejeda is especially beautiful in January and February, when the almond trees are in bloom.

At that time of year, the slopes are dotted with white and pale pink blossoms, while the dark rock rises above them like a silent guardian. In Tejeda itself, there are often small festivals celebrating the almond blossom.

As for the best time of day:

• Morning: usually clearer views, cooler temperatures and fewer people
• Late afternoon: warm light, long shadows and great conditions for photos

I tend to avoid the midday hours, especially in summer. The rocks heat up quickly and shade is limited.

Even in summer, weather at the top can change fast. I’ve had days where I left the coast in a T-shirt and was very glad to have a light jacket once I got up there. Dressing in layers really pays off here.