3 Barranco de Zarza Fuerteventura

Discovered for rokling.cz by Průzkumníklára.

The trail starts either directly at the Fuerteventura Princess Hotel, where there is also a bus stop, or you can start at the bus stop Fuerteventura, Pájara. Follow the asphalt road up towards the mountains via the motorway underpass. Continue higher and after about 80metres, disconnect onto a dirt track and follow it for another 400 metres before you come across a dry riverbed, then continue up it.

The word “barranco” means gorge in Spanish. There isn’t much water on Fuerteventura, the island is volcanic and there is little rain, but the huge valleys and dry riverbeds are definitely gorges worth seeing.

Along the way you can see on the surrounding hillsides and riverbanks how the various rocks were deposited and formed the local surface. In addition, many of the surrounding mountains are made up of lava from now dormant volcanoes, and it is wonderful to see the way the lava flowed and formed the mountain ridges.

You might think there’s no life around. The landscape is desolate and the mountain tops look bleak. But not so! If you’re observant, you will see more than one squirrel, the island is full of them. But feeding squirrels is forbidden under penalty of a fine, it could harm them. In addition to squirrels, you’re sure to see plenty of lizards, and you might even see goats. There are more of them on the island than people! Some are shy; they live wild in the mountains and feed on succulents. Others will let you come closer – these are the islanders’ goats. They graze in the mountains during the day and return home in the evening. Pay attention to the local vegetation, because huge green circles on the hillsides formed by cacti are extraordinary.

You’ll recognise the end of the gorge – a narrow path runs up the steep wall to reach the very top, Pico de la Zarza. From here, follow the ridge path back to the Princess Hotel and enjoy the beautiful views.

The island’s name “Fuerteventura” means “strong wind” in Spanish. There are only about 12 days in the whole year when it doesn’t really blow. The wind is different from what we are used to, it is strong and carries sand from the Sahara, so it is a good idea to pack an ear scarf and a cap or sunglasses.

Don’t be fooled by the deception of the local sun either – there are high clouds most of the day and the sun doesn’t seem to be burning. But the opposite is true, you can get a good sunburn or end up with a sunstroke in the evening. So don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of water.