Pico de las Nieves
Description
At 1,949 meters, Pico de las Nieves is the highest point of Gran Canaria and offers the most complete panorama of the island. On a clear day the entire island unfolds at your feet: green northern valleys, deep ochre erosion gullies to the south, the desert coast of Maspalomas and the interior of the caldera, while Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro float on the horizon. The summit area is surrounded by fragrant Canary pine forests. A military telecommunications installation sits right on the peak, but the surrounding viewpoints are fully accessible.
The road climbing up passes through the Pilancones pine forest and the cumbre plateau — the wide, elevated curves among pines and open heath are among the finest drives on the island. The air is noticeably cooler and cleaner at altitude, which makes this an excellent midday stop when it's hot.
Park and enjoy the view. The summit is the geographic heart of the island, and from here roads set off in every direction: toward Tejeda, Roque Nublo or down to Maspalomas. It's truly easy, and almost obligatory, to slot Pico de las Nieves in as the final stage of your journey, to enjoy an unforgettable sunset!
