Valleseco – not as dry as the name suggests
Valleseco is a small, quiet municipality in the northeast of Gran Canaria with around 3,800 inhabitants and lies approximately 1,000 metres above sea level. The name literally means “dry valley” – an apparent contradiction, as in reality, Valleseco is one of the rainiest places on the island. And the reason for this is its location in the influence zone of the moist trade wind clouds, which regularly move in from the Atlantic over the northern slopes of the island. The area around Valleseco is characterised by lush greenery, dense laurel forest, orchards and terraced farmland. Apples, pears, plums and chestnuts grow here – a rarity on the otherwise rather dry island. Especially in spring and autumn, the landscape is bursting with colour and invites you to go on long hikes.
The centre of the village is small but charming. Notable sights include the parish church San Vicente Ferrer, the eco-museum (Museo Etnográfico), and the ecological market (Mercado Ecológico), where local farmers and producers offer their goods. Valleseco has consciously committed itself to gentle tourism and places great value on sustainability and a connection with nature. Hiking enthusiasts will find a well-developed network of trails in the surrounding area with spectacular views over deep gorges, green plateaus, and the majestic Roque Nublo in the distance. The proximity to the Doramas Nature Park makes Valleseco, as well as the neighbouring village of Valsendero, ideal starting points for tours off the beaten track.
Hike Valsendero via Valleseco and the Barranco de la Virgen
The hike described here begins in the village of Valsendero. You start on the hiking trail S-9 Barranco de la Virgen. Through green cloud forest and with beautiful views of Valsendero, you first ascend to El Prado. From there, the trail leads you downhill to Valleseco. You walk through a large part of the small village of Valleseco. Then, on the other side of the village, you ascend again towards Lomo de la Rosa.
On a very long ridge path, you hike along Valleseco and can enjoy wonderful views of the green north of Gran Canaria. In Zamora, you join the hiking trail SL-2. Finally, you walk through small villages towards the Ermita de la Virgen de la Silla. From there, the trail descends gently and you cross the Barranco de la Virgen on a scenically impressive hiking path. Afterwards, you walk along the very quiet road GC-305 back to Valsendero.
General information about the Valleseco circular hike
Starting point and access
The starting point of the hike is the small village of Valsendero on the GC-305 Calle Lugar Valsendero, turn-off Calle el Llanete. There is a large information board about the hiking trail S-9 and also a signpost towards Valleseco.
Access by car
You can only reach Valsendero via the small road GC-305. For all other routes, you need an off-road 4-wheel drive vehicle. But even with that, it was quite an adventurous bumpy ride :-).
Access by bus
Bus line 218 from Teror to Lanzarote stops near the starting point in Valsendero. For further information and exact departure times, visit the homepage of Guaguasglobal.
Time
I’m reluctant to give general time indications for hikes, as times are very individual. We needed just over 4.5 hours for this round with a few breaks.
Elevation gain and distance
The elevation difference is around 660 metres and the route is just under 13 kilometres long.
Requirements
On the entire route, you walk on good hiking or farm tracks.
Refreshment
You will find places to eat in Valleseco and Valsendero. However, you should definitely take enough water and possibly provisions with you.
Variants
As it is a circular hike, you can of course start the hike at any other point along the route. If you are travelling by bus, starting in Valleseco might be more convenient for you.
The hike can also be easily combined with other hikes in the vicinity:
Scenic circular hike through the Reserva Natural Especial Los Tilos de Moya
Valsendero – through wild gorges and quiet villages
Large Circular Hike to the Cuevas de Caballero
Circular hike Valleseco
Section Valsendero to Valleseco
You start your hike in the small, peaceful village of Valsendero on the GC-305 Calle Lugar Valsendero, turn-off Calle el Llanete at the hiking information board. You walk along hiking trail S-9 on Calle el Llanete. The trail leads you through forest and past some farms. In wide switchbacks, the broad path quickly takes you uphill through the cloud forest. And soon you can enjoy a very good view back over Valsendero. Once at the top in El Prado, you have already managed almost the first 200 metres of elevation gain. And you are rewarded with wide views over Valleseco, which lies on the other side of the mountain opposite Valsendero.
The trail merges with another path, which you follow to the right. At the next fork, keep to the left. Afterwards, the hiking trail leads you downhill to the right through the forest until you reach the GC-21 near Valleseco. You cross the road and continue straight ahead through green meadows, woodland, and pastureland. This leads you to Calle Parroco Marreto Díaz, which you follow to the left towards the centre of Valleseco. This way, you also get to see a bit of the lovely small village of Valleseco. If you like, you can of course take your time to explore the village properly.
Section Valleseco to Zamora
After a while, Calle Parroco Marreto Díaz merges into the GC-21 (Calle Perojo). Here you follow Calle Perojo to the right. This then leads into Calle los Matos, which you continue to follow to the right and slowly out of the village. On your left, you will already see a long, green hill, which Calle los Matos slowly ascends. At the point where it meets Calle el Lomo, turn sharply left. From here, you hike for a long time straight ahead on the ridge path Calle el Lomo on the Lomo de la Rosa.
The trail takes you past some houses and then again through the forest uphill. You have very good views on both sides. From the highest point, the trail then finally descends again. Continue to follow Calle el Lomo, even when it makes wide curves. We took a shortcut through the forest and came out directly at the GC-21. So we had to walk along the road to the right for a while. Calle el Lomo, however, meets the GC-21 directly, so you can simply cross it to reach the large car park in Zamora.
Section Zamora to Ermita de la Virgen de la Silla
In Zamora, you follow the road Lugar de Zamora first along the car park and then continue straight ahead. At the next junction, continue straight ahead on Calle Lugar de Zamora. You are now on hiking trail SL-02. Continue straight until the road merges into Calle Lomo de Zamora. There, turn right. On this small road, you walk through pretty little hamlets near Valleseco and can enjoy the green north of the island.
At the end of the road, take a few steps to the left. Then turn right onto the scenic road Lomo de los Pinos. This finally merges into the GC-307, which you cross. On the other side, the hiking trail continues on Calle Lomo de Shaman. The small road takes you past some houses down towards Barranco de la Virgen. On the right-hand side is also the Ermita de la Virgen de la Silla, which you pass by.
Section Ermita de la Virgen de la Silla to Valsendero
Below the Ermita, the road joins Calle Caserío las Tosquillas, which you follow to the right. At the next junction, keep right again and walk past the Casas de Tablero up Calle El Molinete. You are now on hiking trail S-06. At the top, the farm track ends after a sharp left bend. Now you walk down a very beautifully laid-out hiking trail into the green Barranco de la Virgen.
You cross the scenically very beautiful ravine and then climb up again on the opposite side. There is also a small lake on your right. Finally, the hiking trail merges into the GC-305, which you now follow to the left. The road is very quiet and leads you past green forests, remote houses, and ruins gently uphill back in the direction of Valsendero. Once you reach Valsendero, you walk through it. Here you can also take your time and have a closer look at the pretty little village. On the main road out of the village, you finally return to the starting point of your hike.
And finally
I hope you enjoyed this peaceful hike through Valleseco, Valsendero, and the Barranco de la Virgen. Wherever you go hiking, I wish you lots of joy on all your walks,
Dagmar from SiebenInseln