Riscos de Tirajana

Riscos de Tirajana is one of Gran Canaria's most striking natural monuments — a massive rock amphitheater rising in the center of the island, straddling the municipal boundaries of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Tejeda, San Mateo and Valsequillo. It sits at the head of the great Barranco de Tirajana ravine, where millions of years of erosion carved out an enormous basin ringed by sheer rock walls that impress both up close and from the many viewpoints scattered around the area.

What makes this place special?

Riscos de Tirajana stands out above all for its exceptional geological and geomorphological value. The walls of this erosive basin expose rock layers that read like an open book of the island's volcanic past. The most recognizable feature is Risco Blanco — a pale phonolitic intrusion, clearly distinct from its surroundings, dated to nearly four million years old. Its light color makes it visible from a considerable distance and turns it into a natural landmark for anyone exploring the area.

Why is this area protected?

Because of its natural uniqueness, the site has been included in the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Areas and in the European Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation. The steep, largely inaccessible rock walls provide a natural refuge for rare and endemic plant species found nowhere else in the world, including shrubby species tied exclusively to the microclimate of these cliffs. This botanical richness, alongside the site's scenic value, was one of the main reasons behind its protected status.

What wildlife can be found here?

Riscos de Tirajana is also an important site for the island's fauna. Its inaccessible rocky walls serve as nesting grounds for the Tagorote falcon, an endemic subspecies of the peregrine falcon found only in the Canary Islands, which chooses precisely this kind of hard-to-reach cliff as a safe refuge from predators and human disturbance. Watching these birds soar over the basin is one of the highlights for nature lovers visiting the area.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Riscos de Tirajana located? This natural monument lies in the center of Gran Canaria, spanning several municipalities at once: San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Tejeda, San Mateo and Valsequillo, at the head of the Barranco de Tirajana ravine.

What is Risco Blanco? It's the most distinctive feature of the Riscos de Tirajana landscape — a pale phonolitic intrusion estimated at nearly four million years old, whose color clearly contrasts with the rest of the rock face.

Why is this area protected? Due to its exceptional geological, geomorphological and botanical value — the area forms part of the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Areas and the Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation, mainly because of its endemic plant species.

Which animal is a symbol of this place? The Tagorote falcon, an endemic subspecies of the peregrine falcon that nests on the steep rock walls of this natural monument.

Is this a good spot for nature lovers? Yes — the combination of spectacular geology, endemic flora and rare birdlife makes Riscos de Tirajana one of the most rewarding natural sites in central Gran Canaria.