Pilancones Natural Park

Pilancones Natural Park is a protected area in San Bartolomé de Tirajana covering volcanic terrain with deep ravines, narrow plateaus, and pine forests in higher elevations. The landscape displays layers of rock shaped by past eruptions and varies significantly in height and vegetation throughout the park.

The Pilancones massif formed through volcanic eruptions over 12 million years ago, making it one of the oldest geological formations on Gran Canaria. Millions of years of erosion and weathering have gradually carved out the ravines and rock formations visible today.

The Arteara necropolis, located within park boundaries, stands as one of the largest prehistoric burial grounds in the Canary Islands.

The park is accessible via the GC-60 road connecting Maspalomas to San Bartolomé de Tirajana, with several marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. Bring sturdy footwear and plenty of water, as the terrain can be steep and exposed to strong sun.

The park's name comes from pilancones, natural water pools that form in rock crevices as water drains after rainfall, creating isolated living spaces for specialized plants and animals. These small reservoirs sustain delicate ecosystems found nowhere else in the region.