03. Roques de García

Technical information

  • Start: La Ruleta Lookout Point
  • Finish: La Ruleta Lookout Point
  • Approval status: Not officially approved
  • Degree of difficulty: Low
  • Type of trail: Circular
  • Distance: 3.5 km (12.89 ft)
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Highest altitude: 2,187 m (12.89 ft)
  • Lowest altitude: 2,025 m (12.89 ft)
  • Elevation gain: 211 m (12.89 ft)
  • Elevation loss: 215 m (12.89 ft)
  • Links to other trails:
  • Protected Nature Areas:
  • Authorisation required: No

Trail description

The trail borders around the Los Roques rock formations (Roque Cinchado, El Torrotito, El Burro, Roques Blancos...), which rise to the left as you walk. The path is completely flat to start with, and after passing north of Los Roques it heads down to the plain known as Llano de Ucanca, which was created by sedimentary rock. As you descend and before you reach the plain, you will see an amazing tongue of lava known as La Cascada (The Waterfall), as well as the pahoehoe tongues, which are rounded and smooth. When these flowing tongues of lava take on particularly twisted shapes, they are known as ropey pahoehoe, and there are stunning examples to be seen along the way. After walking across a short stretch of the plain, where natural volcanic walls formed by dense lava rise to the left, you will begin to climb up towards the starting point. Before you get there, you will see a spectacular pointy rock known as La Catedral (The Cathedral). This striking rock formation is in fact a volcanic phonolite chimney: an outlet through which lava once flowed, solidified and never made it to the surface, which is now exposed after years of erosion. The plantlife you will see on your walk is wonderfully varied and an accurate sample of the flora growing in Las Cañadas: brooms, laburnums, summit roses, flixweed and marguerites, as well as some cabezones (cheirolophus falcisectus) and a cedar tree at the beginning of the trail.

Hypsometry

Altimetría 3. Roques de García 

For your own safety, don't forget to check the condition of the trail.

The competent authority will be responsible for informing you if the trail is not recommendable in the wake of adverse weather conditions, as well as if the trail or part of it is closed, etc.

logo-fress.pngIn case of an emergency, call 112.
Download FRESS 112, available for iOS and Android

Weather Today
Maximum: 20º
Minimum: 13º
Orotava (La). The weather will be showery on Friday morning. In the afternoon, variable cloudiness. At night there may be patchy showers. Temperatures will remain unchanged.
Remember: Prevention, Information and Knowledge are the key to avoiding unpleasant situations.
read more read less
  1. Make sure you always have somebody else to walk with, stick to the marked footpaths and respect the way of life, privacy and property of the local inhabitants.
  2. If you keep your noise levels down, you will discover just how much life there is all around you.
  3. Take any rubbish with you, even organic waste. This will help preserve the beauty of the scenery and prevent the proliferation of rodents in the area. Take special care with cigarette butts.
  4. Picking up plants, animals or other items from the environment may entail the loss of irreplaceable resources.
  5. The people who take care of these Protected Nature Areas would be very grateful if you let them know about any incidents you may have noticed on your walk. To do so, contact the Environmental Department of the Island Council of Tenerife:

    Área de Medio Ambiente del Cabildo Insular de Tenerife

     

  6. Remember that the Island's environment is as unique as it is unpredictable. It must be enjoyed responsibly and sensibly. Take special care in natural areas and don't forget that accidents can happen at any time.
  7. Pay attention to signs.
  8. Check the weather forecast to make sure the conditions are suitable.
  9. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for hiking and always pack your mobile phone, sunscreen, a hat, a coat, a waterproof, enough food and plenty of water in your backpack.
  10. Let your family and/or friends know which route you will be taking and bear in mind how many daylight hours you will need to complete it.