Mirador de los Pinos de Gáldar

The viewpoint looks straight into the Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar, a crater some 3,000 years old belonging to the most recent volcanic cycle on Gran Canaria, sibling to nearby Montañón Negro. It stands at around 1,500 metres, where the municipal boundaries of Gáldar, Santa María de Guía and Moya meet, and the spot is also known as La Redonda. Centuries-old Canary pines frame the view, which steps down from the summit to the sea through midlands that grow steadily more settled. These northern slopes once held the Selva de Doramas, the old laurel forest that carries the name of the aboriginal chief, which four centuries of felling turned into terraces of maize, potatoes and pasture.

You reach it by car on the summit roads, and there is room to stop beside the crater rim. The trade wind usually lays a sea of clouds over the midlands here, which makes sunrise and sunset the strong moment of the day; that same cushion of cloud screens off the lights of the capital, which is why the place is recognised as an astronomical viewpoint, facing north with a very clear view of the boreal constellations. Expect cold, damp and wind: at this altitude it is a good deal cooler than on the coast, so bring warm clothing, and if you come up at night, a red torch and firm footwear.