Macizo de Amurga

Macizo de Amurga is a mountainous massif in the southern part of Gran Canaria, stretching between the Barranco de Tirajana and Barranco de Fataga ravines, within the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Its highest point reaches 1,131 metres above sea level, and the massif covers roughly 8,700 hectares.

How did this landscape form?

Amurga took shape during the so-called post-Roque Nublo volcanic cycle, which began around 3.2 million years ago — one of the later stages in Gran Canaria's volcanic history, following the eruptions that built the island's famous central landmark, Roque Nublo. The rocks forming the massif are mainly phonolites and ignimbrites belonging to the Fataga formation, dated to between 10 and 11 million years old. The result of these processes is a landscape of jagged ridges, deep ravines and steep slopes descending toward the coast.

What links Amurga to the island's earliest inhabitants?

The massif holds traces of the indigenous population that lived on Gran Canaria before the Spanish conquest — archaeologists have documented funerary tumuli and remains of constructions attributed to this pre-conquest community. For those early inhabitants, and later for the conquistadors, the name Tirajana referred specifically to the area known today as Amurga, in its coastal stretch. Some researchers also associate the site with Montaña de Las Tabaibas, identified as a location of sacred significance to the ancient Canarians.

Why is the area ecologically significant?

Macizo de Amurga is one of the most ecologically valuable corners of the island's south. It has been designated a Special Area of Conservation and is included within Gran Canaria's biosphere reserve. Species richness here is remarkable for such a compact area — researchers have identified at least 83 species of flora and fauna, 34 of which are endemic to Gran Canaria alone. The harsh, semi-arid climate of the island's south favoured the development of vegetation adapted to drought and intense sun exposure, making the site a notable spot for nature observation.

What should visitors know before heading out?

Amurga is a wild, largely undeveloped mountain area without extensive tourist infrastructure, making it appealing to hikers looking to get away from the crowded resorts of Gran Canaria's southern coast, such as Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés. The terrain — steep slopes, deep ravines and rocky ridges — means it's best explored with someone familiar with the local trails or by sticking to marked routes. Visitors should carry enough water and sun protection, since much of the vegetation offers little shade.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Macizo de Amurga? The massif's highest point reaches 1,131 metres above sea level.

Can you see traces of the island's early inhabitants in Amurga? Yes, the massif contains funerary tumuli and remains of constructions attributed to the population that lived on Gran Canaria before the Spanish conquest.

Why is Amurga under environmental protection? Because of its exceptional species richness — at least 83 species, including 34 endemic to Gran Canaria — the area forms part of the island's biosphere reserve and is a designated Special Area of Conservation.

Where exactly is Macizo de Amurga located? In the southern part of Gran Canaria, within the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, between the Tirajana and Fataga ravines.