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Difficulty grade: 2
Easy
Duration: 3:30 min |
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Description of the path
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The startpoint is the phone box which is in the street behind the sport centre of Tunte.
The tour begins in the west side of the" Cruz Grande" (the big cross). After a
heavy going up, follow the path in light ascent and enjoy the beautiful sight of
"la Caldera de Tirajana" (Vulkano crater of Tirajana). Leaving "el Pico de
las Nieves" ( the Snow peak) in north and see "el Risco Blanco" ( the white
cliff). The path goes to "Cruz Grande" and follow by road C-815 until find the
path on the left (in south direction).
Take it and follow along "el Parque Natural de Pilancones-Ayagaures" (Natural
park of Pilancones-Ayagaures). The way finds two diversions to the right: the first one
"Cuevas Blancas" (white caves), and the second one "Casa forestal"
(forest house). Later, take the third diversion to the right in "Degollada del
Dinero" ( Money path).
Follow the above path of "Natural Park of Pilancones-Ayagaures". About 600m
after the passage, the above path and the one which goes under the path of "Parque
Natural de Pilancones-Ayagaures" join toguether. Take this path which goes over the
"Morro de la Cruz" (headland of the cross). On the left side of the path, you
will see "Pino San Antonio" (Pine of saint Antonio), "Degollada de
Rociana" Rociana's crossing), "Morro de las vacas" (Cows' snout) and
"Degollada de Manzanilla" (Crossing of camomile). Take links in the crossroads
and go over "Camino del Pinar" (Path of the pinewood) which goes up to Tunte.
About 800m of the crossroads, on the left, it is located a spring protected by a cave.
The trip finishes in the phone box in Tunte.
History of this path:
About 50 years ago, Cruz Grande was a shelter, a meeting point for wanderings. The path
had great influx of people because of "Apostol Santiago" (Apostle Santiago),
saint patrone of San Bartolome de Tirajana. Wanderings came from lots of towns of the
island to revere the image of "Santiago, el Chico" (little Santiago). The
saint's statue stayed in "Ermita del Pinar" (Heritage of pinewood). According to
the legend, the little statue was more heavy when the tried to moved it from the hermitage
to the church in Tunte. Then, the statue had to be taken to its star point, although
finally, this could be taken to the church of Tunte where it is nowadays.
The sturdy rocks, the aromatic broom bush and the
beauty of the island woman are harmonious notes
in the landscape in a way of being and of feeling.
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Tour
2
Tunte - Cruz Grande - Pargana
Degollada de los Gatos - Pico de las Nieves |
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Difficulty grade: 4
Medium
Duration: 3 hours |
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of the path 
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The start point is the sport centre in Tunte.
The tour begins in west direction to"Cruz Grande" (big Cross).
The path connects with the road C-815. Take this road to San Bartolome, few metres away,on
the left, you will see a way up that goes to the cross. According the tradition, funeral
processions should make a stop here.
From the cross, it starts the way named "Camino de la Plata" (Silver way). In
the "Llanos de Pargana" (Evens of Pargana) take the way to
" Camino de la Cumbre" (Summit way). The origin of the way is dated on 19th
century. Long time ago, this way went to the "Barranco de Ayacata" (Gully of
Ayacata). Take the cross right and go over a house which was a refuge in ancient times.
The way, signed with stones, continues to Pargana, doing zig-zag in the last part. After
the ascention, follow over the evens in way to the Pine wood (don't miss the wonderful
sights of the "Roque Nublo" (Cloudy Rock) and "Barranco de Ayacata"
(Gully of Ayacata) to the west).
The way goes between pines and brooms.
After the ascention along the water reservoir you will arrive to a sign of "Cabildo
Insular" (Isular lobby). In this place, "Camino Real" (Real Way) takes
right and follows by "Degollada de los Gatos" (Cat's path) and "Putón de
la agujerada" towards "Barranco de la Culata" (Gully of Culata). At the
foot of the "Pico de la Nieves" (Snow peak) takes the way to the north of the
viewpoint which is opposite the military zone, this is easy to recognize by the two big
domes. "Pico de las Nieves" is 1.949 high over the sea level, the highest point
of the island.
Take this way back to arrive to the start point.
History of the path:
The ways from Tunte to Cruz Grande and the
"Camino de la Plata" joined San Bartolome de Tirajana over "Cumbre de Gran
Canaria" (Gran Canaria's summit) with other villages of the island. To make the
exchange of apricots, olives, coals, salt and palms and other products in Tirajana.
"Pico de las Nieves" also called "Pozo de las Nieves" (Snow well)
which was built by an important man in 17th century to pick up the fallen snow. The snow
was collected and then it was mixed with straws to be carried to Las Palmas where it was
used as curative mean. Later, it was also used toprepare fruit ice creams.
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This is the typical Canary flora
that you will see along the excursion ! |
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Tour 3
Tunte - Cruz Grande
Morro de la hierba huerto - Presa de Chira
Cercados de Araña
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Difficulty grade: 2
Easy
Duration: 3:30min |
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Description of the path
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The start point is the phone box which is behind the sport center of Tunte.
The way goes up in west direction towards "Morro de la Cruz grande" and
continues along this hill to the road C-815. After getting the road turn on the left to
"Parque Natural de Pilancones-Ayagaures". The way takes two diversions to the
right; the first one to "Cuevas Blancas", and the second one "Casa
Forestal". Continue towards "Degollada de Dinero" and take the curve to the
right. The junction is easy to see because of the stones which mark it.. The way is now
down towards a crossing which is also signed with stones. Take the right way and go to the
south side of "Morro de las cruces" going over "Degollada de Cho
Benito". Continue to the east of the summit along the "Alto de Cho Eusebio"
to "Degollada del Sordo". This is up over "Morro de la Hierba Huerto".
Take the junction to the left, getting the main way and the go over "Morro de La
Hierba Huerto" to the crossing. Although, the left way takes you along "Lomos de
Pedro Alfonso" towards Maspalomas, take the right one to the north, going over
"Presa de Chira" towards "Cercado de Araña".
History of the path:
The Canarian pine woods were an important source of supply
since prehispanic times. With the arrival of the European people, the increased
explotation of the pine woods, mainly by wood obtention, began. The wood was used to house
warming and for getting coal. The esence of the old pines, called "tea", was
used because of its hard and flexibility for carpentry, besides tar was also obtained from
the pine esence. The tea was burnt in such a way that it got harder and it was used to
make boots waterproof and to cure. The elaboration was done in special ovens which were
built surroundings pine woods. Known was the use of tar as curative mean in England,
mainly, to treat lungs afections. Other product coming from pines is pine-cone. In the
development of the banana plants exportation, pine-cones were used to pack the bananas.
Rock waves. A stone-like ocean, its colour and
form beats to the impulse of light and shadows.
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Tour
4
Tunte - Cruz Grande
Pino Gordo de Pilancones - Las Tederas
Ayagaures
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Difficulty grade:3
Medium
Duration: 6h |
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Description
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The
start point is the phone box which is behind the sport center of Tunte.
The way goes to "Cruz Grande" [Big Cross], and continues by road C-815. After
passing a cross along the road, take the curve on the left in a way which goes to
"Parque Natural de Pilancones-Ayagaures" [Natural park]. Take the way to
"Degollada de Dinero" [Money pass] and turn on the right in a good signed
way. Take the left way and go to the south side of "Morro [Hill] de la Cruz
Grande". The way goes across one of the valleys in "Barranco de la Data"
and continues next to this gully until the way which runs under the natural park. This
goes along a hill and crosses a small gully before turning to the south. It goes at the
foot of "Morro de las vacas" and "Degollada de la Manzana" which is
seen at the top, on the left. Walk until a crossing with the main way, this is signed with
stones. Take left way towards "Pino Gordo de Pilancones" which is south way of
"Montaña Negra". About 400m away from "Pino Gordo" there is a
crossing with a inscription: "Descansadero de los Muertos". From here, take the
way to "Barranco de la Data". Go along some houses and cross the entry of the
gully to be situated in the other side. Way goes to "Las Casas de las Tederas"
and then to Ayagaures. When you arrive to a big pine, you will see a path on the left to
"Casa Taginastal". However, stay in the main one and go along a white houses to
a crossing. From this crossing, you will see "Presa de Ayagaures". The way goes
along "Presa de Gambuesa" and "Presa de Ayagaures" to Ayagaures.
History of the path:
The way was called "Camino de los Muertos" [Death
people way] because after the colonization of the island, inhabitants were forced to take
the christian religion and death people were buried under this religion.
Because of the bad economic situation, cheap coffins were made to move death people to
Tunte's cemetery. After the official buring, these were exhumed and extracted from the
coffins for being buried in some holes in the earth. Burier had to make considerable
forces, for this reason, he knew places like "Descansadero de los Muertos" [Rest
of the death people] or "Cruz de Umbría" where he did a brake. |
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