Parque Natural de Tamadaba

Tamadaba Natural Park, designated in 1987, covers 7,538.6 hectares across the municipalities of Artenara, Agaete and La Aldea de San Nicolás in north-west Gran Canaria. Its core is one of the best preserved natural pine forests on the island, highly effective at capturing water, which explains the several dams built around it. Alongside the pinewood there are ravines, cardonal and tabaibal scrub in the lower areas and cliff habitats; on the Guayedra crags grow protected plants found nowhere else. The pine forest is also a favoured nesting area for protected endemic birds.

The park has archaeological and ethnographic value too, in areas such as El Risco and the Guayedra valley, with isolated and half-abandoned hamlets. The usual approach is through the municipality of Agaete. This is mountain country with ravines and escarpments, so walking boots, enough water and an extra layer are worth packing. An information line is available on 928 554 382.