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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Hike Gran Canaria 18 March 2012 Tajinaste route PR GC12 & SL GC01

Left Dutch Link at 0745 for the 30 minute walk to the Telmo Bus Station where we caught the 0830 nr 12 bus to Telde in time to catch the nr 13 bus to Tenteniguada just past Valsequillo.
At 10.00hrs the bus driver dropped us off close to the Tenteniguada cemetry, the start of our Hike PR GC12 to the Caldera de los Marteles, some 500 meters above us at 1530m above sea level.

The route took us past the walled cemetry with views of the ridge in the background which we were to climb
past a grove of Orange trees
The track was very well marked - the yellow/white stripes at lower left indicate we take a path to the left
past several Almond trees
the path winds its way steeply up the spur to the ridge above 
View across the valley with the hamlet of Rincon below
Daisies
getting closer to the ridge-top
the start of the ridge-top part of the trail
Looking northwards along the ridge-top
views of Tenteniguada where we started our hike
view across the valley - the return route is over there
Amazingly, this in parts very steep , rocky slippery path seems to be a favourite amongst mountain bikers - several groups passed us - going downhill, of course
time for a break - with an allround view
 A superb example of the Escobon, the White Flowering Tree Broom
Our first Tajinaste - this blue candle-like flower was the main reason we chose this route as our return route is famous for the number of these flowers at this time of the year
Another welcome break
more Tajinastes
and a few white Tajinastes
We enter a pine forest close to the highest point of the hike

The highest point of the Hike - the Caldera de los Marteles,  at 1530m above sea level, which we reached at 13.10 hrs
and the right side of the Caldera
The start of the descent clearly marked by a sign - the SL GC01 hiking route
our trail
At this bend in the trail we saw a sun umbrella outside a couple of cave entrances
This cave was actually being lived in - the friendly occupants helped us later to take the correct fork in the path
more Tajinastes
complete with butterfly
zooming in ....
and in ....
more Tajinastes
more wonderful views
more Tajinastes - this time at head-height
more Tajinastes
and more Tajinastes
another break with an on-top-of-the-world feeling
 yes, more Tajinastes
more Tajinastes
the end of the trail with plaque indicating start of the ascent
A well posted route
The Candelaria cactii caught our fancy
as did the honeysuckle
and this colourful wild flower
At 15.25 hrs arrive at the nr 13 bus stop in Tenteniguada - tired but happy. Total distance walked was about 10 km with an ascent and descent of around 500 meters.
The nr 13 bus duely arrived at 15.45hrs taking us to Telde where we caught the 16.25 bus back to Las Palmas.
This was a suberb walk with fantastic views most of the way and lots and lots of the beautiful Tajinastes to brighten the day.

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