Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar

Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar is a volcanic crater in the municipality of Moya, on the northern side of Gran Canaria, sitting exactly where the boundaries of three municipalities meet - Moya, Santa María de Guía and Gáldar. Locals call this tripoint La Redonda, and the crater has long served as a natural landmark for the villages scattered across the island's northern slopes.

What exactly is this place?

The site is a strombolian volcanic cone roughly 150 metres high, hollowed out by a caldera depression close to 300 metres across. The whole formation sits at an altitude of around 1,350 metres. Geologists date it to roughly 3,000 years old, making it one of the youngest volcanic structures on Gran Canaria, formed during the same eruptive cycle as the neighbouring Montañón Negro cone to the east. Because of its geological and scenic value, the caldera has been protected as a Natural Monument, and entry into the crater itself is off-limits - it is designated an exclusion zone to protect its fragile ecosystem.

What will you see there?

The slopes are covered in centuries-old Canary pines, which gave the site its name - Pinos de Gáldar. Some of the trees are several hundred years old, reaching 15 to 25 metres in height, with trunks up to nearly 8 metres in circumference. The single largest pine on the entire island grows right here: about 33 metres tall, 5.7 metres around, and estimated at close to 450 years old. The contrast between the dark, jagged volcanic cone and the surrounding pine forest is one of the more distinctive sights in northern Gran Canaria.

Close by stands the official Mirador de los Pinos de Gáldar viewpoint, part of Gran Canaria's network of scenic lookouts, offering views over the surrounding volcanoes and valleys.

How do you get there?

The most popular hike starts in the village of Fontanales and runs about 8.4 km with roughly 581 metres of elevation gain. The trail crosses the green hills of the Pavón area before climbing toward the crater; the second half turns steep and rocky underfoot, so sturdy hiking boots are worth packing. Many walkers loop back to Fontanales via Casas del Agua rather than retracing their steps. The viewpoint itself, at about 1,546 metres, can also serve as a starting or finishing point.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the altitude and exposed terrain, spring and autumn tend to offer the mildest conditions and clearest visibility. In summer the trail gets little shade outside the wooded stretches, so setting off early in the morning is advisable.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk into the crater? No. The interior of Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar is closed to visitors under its Natural Monument protection status, and access is restricted to safeguard the site's ecosystem.

How long does the hike to the viewpoint take? The popular loop from Fontanales covers about 8.4 km and usually takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on fitness and pace.

Where does the name come from? It comes from the ancient Canary pines (pinos) growing on the slopes, one of which is recognised as the oldest and largest specimen on the whole island.

Is the trail difficult? No climbing experience is needed, but the upper section of the approach is steep and rocky, so good trekking shoes and enough water are recommended.