Photo 1: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
We returned after three years of pandemic to visit the Canary Islands. We stopped in Gran Canaria this year and intended to have a quiet, almost restful holiday. We arrive at the hotel with sun and heat between 27 and 30 degrees which will accompany us throughout the holiday. The H10 Melonares Palace hotel is very large and is located on the southern tip of the island, the warmest place about 2 km from the famous dunes of Maspalomas.
Photo 2: one of the pools of our hotel where we basked in the Canarian sun
Photo 4: Typical landscape of Gran Canaria south desert part
Photo 5: Typical landscape of Gran Canaria south desert part
In the past this was a completely desert area of the island, the inhabitants were practically all in the northern part, less hot and with much more rainfall, favored by the influx of humid currents from the north of the Atlantic which condense into clouds which are stopped from the mountain range, and consequently in rain. This has created forests and woodlands with also streams flowing from south to north. Observing a color satellite image one can clearly identify this dividing line between the two different climates, in the north the color is green in various shades and in the south brown always in different shades. But a satellite image cannot in the least make us understand how exciting it can be for the heart and satisfying for the eyes to walk through the valleys of this island, formed by volcanoes and then sculpted by water and wind.
Photo 6: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Photo 7: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Photo 8: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Having a powerful car is of little use, here the average hourly rate of the roads is very low despite the fact that they are paved almost everywhere with perfect asphalt, this is due to their tortuosity and their narrowness. So overtaking is almost impossible, and although it may seem strange, it’s only possible where an oncoming bend allows you to see another bend. I assure you that being overtaken on the inside curve by residents has a certain effect, bearing in mind that the ravines, very well protected by the guardrails, have very considerable depths. On one of these tours in search of extraordinary landscapes, especially around sunset time, we headed towards a place identified by chance following an indication found on Google Maps, but completely forgotten by online tourist guides: Los Barranqo de las Vacas . To access this valley it is necessary to access by descending an escarpment and passing under the road bridge, therefore adequate shoes are required, we had, as always when we travel, our hiking boots. From here a furrow carved by the water opens up in the middle of the high walls. Walking on the bottom of the canyon you can see how the rock formations have been eroded and scored by the flow of water and also by the work of the wind that is channeled inside the canyon. One would never cease to marvel at the colours, lines, curves, how the path was dug and it can be perceived by looking up towards the highest part of the valley. As soon as I saw it I noticed a remarkable resemblance to the photos I found of Antelope Canyon in the United States, even if the dimensions are considerably smaller.
Photo 9: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Photo 10: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Photo 11: Los Barranqo de las Vacas, the waterfall with a small pool of water at its foot
The valley ends with a wall about ten meters high, probably made up of more compact and erosion resistant rock, which clearly indicates the existence of a small waterfall, now dry, otherwise a visit would have been impossible. The canyon is a hundred meters long, but walking it gives a sense of adventure. The photos give an impression of much more significant dimensions that only a comparison with a person or an object can lead to understand the real dimensions of the site. It was certainly a rewarding experience that will remain engraved in the important memories of this holiday on the island of Gran Canaria. In this video our adventure
Photo 12: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Photo 13: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
Photo 14: Los Barranqo de las Vacas
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