Área recreativa, Monte Pavón
High on the northwestern ridge of Gran Canaria, at around 1,200 metres, this recreation area sits in young replanted pinewood, between grazing land and steep damp ravines that still hold the last patches of laurel forest. It makes a practical starting point for the S-01 trail, thirteen kilometres linking Cruz de Tejeda with Pinos de Gáldar and Saucillo. No advance booking is needed to use it.
Monte Pavón lies on the high northwestern ridge of Gran Canaria, at roughly 1,200 metres, with information panels that set out the walking options nearby. The setting is a young reforested pinewood of introduced pines, broken by grazing land and by deep, humid ravines where the last remnants of laurel forest on this side of the island survive. That combination of moisture and steep ground is why the wider area was chosen for the Life+Rabiche project, which between 2013 and 2017 brought the laurel pigeon back to Gran Canaria.
The S-01 trail runs from here for thirteen kilometres, connecting Cruz de Tejeda with Pinos de Gáldar and Saucillo. Nobody expects you to walk it end to end; many people follow a section and turn back at the same point. At this altitude conditions change fast. The sea of clouds can swallow the ridge within minutes, the temperature drops and the carpet of pine needles turns slippery, so mountain footwear and a warm layer are worth carrying even when the coast below is baking. Unlike some other recreation areas run by the island council, this one needs no prior authorisation.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first!
Related places
Teide National Park
Teide National Park
Cuevas de Ajuy (Monumento Natural de Ajuy)
Sea caves and a black-sand beach after a short coastal path.
Cuevas de Ajuy (Monumento Natural de Ajuy)
Sea caves and a black-sand beach after a short coastal path.
Área Recreativa Presa de las Niñas
A Cabildo recreation and camping area beside the Las Niñas reservoir in Tejeda, inside the Nublo Rural Park, with pine woods, walking trails and barbecue spots.
Área Recreativa Presa de las Niñas
A Cabildo recreation and camping area beside the Las Niñas reservoir in Tejeda, inside the Nublo Rural Park, with pine woods, walking trails and barbecue spots.
Finca de Osorio
A 204-hectare public estate of the Cabildo in Teror, inside the Doramas Rural Park, with laurel forest, educational trails and visits by prior permit.
Finca de Osorio
A 204-hectare public estate of the Cabildo in Teror, inside the Doramas Rural Park, with laurel forest, educational trails and visits by prior permit.
Parque Natural de Tamadaba
A 7,538-hectare Natural Park in north-west Gran Canaria, spanning Artenara, Agaete and La Aldea, protecting one of the island's best preserved natural pine forests.
Parque Natural de Tamadaba
A 7,538-hectare Natural Park in north-west Gran Canaria, spanning Artenara, Agaete and La Aldea, protecting one of the island's best preserved natural pine forests.
Poema del Mar
One of Europe's most spectacular aquariums, home to the world's largest curved viewing window onto the deep sea.
Poema del Mar
One of Europe's most spectacular aquariums, home to the world's largest curved viewing window onto the deep sea.
Related guides
Legal excursions in the Canary Islands: how to recognise and book a route with guarantees
How to recognise and book legal excursions in the Canary Islands: registration number, insurance, official guide. Avoid an 'off-the-books' route.
How do you legally set up an excursion business in the Canaries?
Practical guide to launching an active-tourism business in the Canaries: self-employed status, qualifications, mandatory insurance and registration.
How to check that an excursion is legal, island by island
How to verify a Canary excursion is legal: tourism registry, official guide and insurance, plus each island's access rules that only legal operators meet.