Barranco de las Vacas

Barranco de Barafonso

Useful Information

Location:	Temisas, 35270 Agüimes, Las Palmas. GC-1 exit 23, towards Cruce Arinaga GC-100, at Agüimes turn left on GC-551, then right on GC-550 to Temisas. (27.912783, -15.474675)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided, D=1.5 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Barranco de las Vacas.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1933	construction of the Temisas highway over the gorge.

Description

Barranco de las Vacas (Gorge of Cows) is a misnomer, this is actually the Barranco de Barafonso, actually the lower part of the canyon is called Barranco de las Vacas. But as it is known under this name, we decided to do the same. The gorge is quite popular, and it is recommended to visit it early or late in the afternoon, because it is very crowded. But that's all word of mouth, as the site is not officially advertised or developed in any way. As a result the number of parking spaces is very limited and there are no signs. Just follow the GC-550 and look for parked cars of other visitors. There are actually three trail dwon into the gorge, one right at the stone brodg across the gorge, one 260 m downhill from the bridge and one 250 m uphill from the bridge. The last is the general access point because here the road is a little wider and its possible to park along the road.

This is one of those narrow gorges, also called slot canyons, with vertical walls, 10 or 15 m high, but at some points only 1 or 2 m wide. The river bed is dry during summer, and so it is quite easy to walk through the canyon for a few hundred meters. The floods after the rare rains have dug fast and deep into the soft volcanic rock. The yellowish and reddish rocks form curves, and there are some artificial cavities dug into the soft rock.

The site is quite spectacular, but it requires walking shoes and surefootedness. We recommend sun protection and enough water.