- Ruth González
In this post we want to introduce you to two hidden beauties of Gran Canaria: the damLa Sorrueda and La Fortaleza de Ansite. Both natural resources are found in the interior of the island, in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana. Without a doubt, it is one of the most charming places in Gran Canaria due to its landscape. A rural environment surrounded by mountains, ravines, dams, Canarian palm groves, cacti and local life. We will tell you!
The Ansite Fortress, Gran Canaria
La Ansite Fortress is one of most important archaeological sites in Gran Canaria. It is made up of three rocks: the Big Fortress, the Small Fortress and Titana. Your access is along a path of a few meters as we show below. You can also easily park where the path up to the cavity begins (5 minutes walk).
If you ascend the ladder that we previously showed, you will reach one of the caves that runs through La Fortaleza from side to side. It also can skirt the fortress on its left side.
In the same way, a few meters away you can enter your La Fortaleza interpretation center where they explain the importance of this location for the history of the Canary Islands. It is said that back in 1483 the Canarian aborigines surrendered in La Fortaleza before the Castilian troops. Likewise, archaeologists think that there may have been an Aboriginal temple here.
La Sorrueda Dam, Gran Canaria
From the La Sorrueda Viewpoint you will be able to appreciate a view of the Tirajana Dam or La Sorrueda Dam. This dam stands out for the rock mass What's in the middle and what you can see in the next photo. Especially when it has water. From here you can also appreciate the Canarian palm grove that surrounds it, combined with different species of cacti. As you can imagine, the Dam landscape varies depending on how much it has rained recently. During the summer and fall months it is not usually as crowded as we show it in these photos.
Mirador del Guriete, the best views of the Ansite Fortress
On the way to the La Sorrueda and La Fortaleza dam, we recommend stopping to appreciate the views to the Las Tirajanas ravine and La Fortaleza de Ansite in the Guriete Viewpoint. It is 1 hour by car from Maspalomas and also from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Part of the road is a highway until you reach Vecindario where you will pass through several towns. The whole path is done by one quite pleasant curved road for its landscapes, ideal for road cyclists and motorcyclists. If you get dizzy, we do not recommend reading or looking at your cell phone while traveling this road.
When you arrive at Guriete You will see a path that goes down a few meters. We recommend that you descend (just 2 minutes) to appreciate better views. From the parking area you cannot see the spectacular Canarian palm grove that runs along the Las Tirajanas ravine and you will be able to have a better view in general. Once past the viewpoint, After about 10 more minutes of driving, you will reach the Mirador de La Sorrueda and the restaurant where we suggest you stop to eat. Everything is signposted, so you can't get lost.
If you want to continue discovering this area of Gran Canaria, we recommend driving to the beautiful historic center of Santa Lucía de Tirajana. Don't stop buying some olives macerated with mojo, something very typical of the area. You have more plans What to do in Santa Lucía de Tirajana in the specific article of the municipality. However, to eat, our favorite is next to La Sorrueda. We will tell you in the next few lines.
El Alpendre de Félix: eating next to the La Sorrueda Dam
FOR eat near La Sorrueda and La Fortaleza de Ansite An option that we love is the El Alpendre de Félix restaurant. A curious restaurant full of gadgets where you eat very well. They have some dishes canarian food and include products from their garden. Like for example, your Salad with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, as its owner told us, many of their products are from their own garden and from the area. And I already told you that it shows in the flavor. It is a few steps from the La Fortaleza interpretation center where you can park to visit the center and then eat or drink something.
Video of La Sorrueda and La Fortaleza
Si Do you want to see a video of the complete route, we have prepared a nice summary for you with a lot of love. If you liked it, don't hesitate to subscribe to our channel to keep you informed of new videos about what to see in Gran Canaria. Please note that this was one of the first videos we recorded for Local Guide Gran Canaria, note how "green" we were in communicating in front of a camera.
Gran Canaria digital guides
Finally if you want Get to know more places like this in Gran Canaria and get to know the restaurants that locals frequent, Pay a visit to our guide section to discover the island on your own! This way, You will save a lot of time planning your trip and you won't miss any essential corner.
Ruth González
Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.
