Pico de las Nieves is a tall mountain. It’s on Gran Canaria. It’s 1,949 meters high. Another peak, Morro de la Agujereada, is 1,956 meters. You see amazing views here. Mountains, valleys, and even Tenerife far away. My name is Warren Driscoll. I love luxury travel. I’ve done it for seven years. I stayed in villas in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez. I visited chalets in the French Alps. I came to Gran Canaria. I hiked Pico de las Nieves. I took photos. This guide tells you its secrets. It’s easy to read. Let’s go explore!
What Is Pico de las Nieves?
Pico de las Nieves means “Snow Peak.” It almost never snows. Long ago, people kept ice in pits here. That’s why it’s called Snow Peak. The mountain is in Gran Canaria’s center. It’s in a special place called a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This keeps nature safe. You see big rocks from volcanoes. You see deep valleys. The air is clean. The wind makes soft noises. On clear days, you see Tenerife’s big mountain, Pico del Teide. It’s 3,718 meters tall. I saw it at sunrise. It looked like gold.
The peak is between two big holes. One is Caldera de Tejeda. It’s on the west. The other is Caldera de Tirajana. It’s on the south. Volcanoes made these holes long ago. Gran Canaria came from the sea. The rocks are old. They tell a story. You stand high up. You feel like you touch the sky.
Why Go to This Mountain?
This mountain is special. It shows Gran Canaria’s beauty. It’s quiet and peaceful. I went there in 2019. I stayed for hours. The calm felt nice. Hikers love its paths. People with cameras love the views. Nature fans love the trees and animals. Everyone likes something here.
The mountain has history. The Guanches were the island’s first people. They thought Roque Nublo was holy. It’s a big rock nearby. It’s 1,813 meters tall. The mountain is also on the Camino de Santiago. This is a walking path across the island. It feels like a special trip. You feel history when you walk.
How to Get to Pico de las Nieves
You can get to the top in many ways. You can drive a car. You can hike. You can take a bus. I tried all three. Each way is fun. Let’s learn how to do it.
Driving Up the Mountain
A road called GC-134 goes near the top. You start at GC-130 or GC-60. The road twists a lot. It takes 45 minutes from Las Palmas. You park near a viewpoint. A military base is at the real top. You can’t go there. Walk 50 meters from the car. You’re at the viewpoint. I drove up at sunset. The sky was pink and orange. It was so pretty. The road is narrow. Use a small car. Check the weather. Clouds can hide the view.
Taking a Bus
Buses cost less money. From Maspalomas, take Line 18 to Ayacata. It costs about €5. From Ayacata, you walk 2 to 3 hours to the top. Some websites say it’s a short walk. That’s not true. It’s a long, steep path. I took the bus once. The walk showed me trees and rocks. From Las Palmas, go to San Mateo by bus. Then walk or take another bus to Ayacata. Look at the Global Bus website for times. Bring water. No shops are near the bus stop.
Walking to the Top
Walking is the best way to feel the mountain. The Cruz Grande path is nice. It starts at Degollada de la Cruz Grande. You walk on the Ruta de la Plata. Farmers used this path long ago. It’s also on the Camino de Santiago. The path is 7 kilometers one way. You climb 964 meters. It takes 2 to 3 hours. You walk through pine trees. You see white flowers. I walked this path in 2020. The air smelled like pine. The path was rocky but easy to follow. A sign says Pico de las Nieves (S-51). Climb 15 minutes to the viewpoint.
Another path starts at Llanos de la Pez. It’s shorter but steeper. It’s 5 kilometers round trip. Follow signs for Circular Llanos de la Pez. Wear strong shoes. Rocks can be slippery. I wore sneakers once. I almost fell. Bring a hat for the sun. Both paths are not too hard. They give you big views.
What You See at the Top
The viewpoint is so beautiful. You see most of Gran Canaria. Roque Nublo is a big rock nearby. It’s 1,813 meters high. Morro de la Agujereada is close. You see deep valleys. Caldera de Tejeda looks like a big bowl. On cloudy days, you’re above a “sea of clouds.” It looks like a white ocean. I saw this in 2019. It felt like a dream. On clear days, you see Pico del Teide on Tenerife. It sparkles far away.
A stone circle is at the viewpoint. It faces the sunset. You hear wind and birds. Sometimes, a person sells drinks nearby. The quiet feels nice. The air is cool. The sky feels so close.
Walking on Pico de las Nieves
Walking is a great way to know this mountain. The Cruz Grande path goes through pine trees. You see rocks and small flowers. The path was used by farmers. It’s on the Camino de Santiago. You climb slowly. The path is easy to follow. I walked it in 2020. My legs got tired. The view was worth it. The Llanos de la Pez path is shorter. It climbs fast. You see open land. Both paths need good shoes. Rocks can be loose. I slipped once but was okay.
The paths are safe for most people. Start early. The sun gets hot. Bring water and a snack. The top has no shops. If you’re new to walking, go with a friend. Tell someone your plan. The paths are far from towns.
Taking Photos at the Top
This mountain is great for photos. I took many pictures here. The light changes a lot. Morning light is soft. Afternoon light is warm. I took a sunrise photo in 2020. The sky was orange over Roque Nublo. Use a wide lens for valleys. Use a zoom lens for far peaks. Clouds make photos look cool. My best photo was a sunset with Tenerife far away. Wind can shake your camera. I use a tripod to keep it steady.
For web photos, use alt text like “Pico de las Nieves sunset view.” This helps people find your pictures. Edit photos to make colors bright. Share them online. Others will want to visit.
Nature and Animals
The mountain is in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This keeps nature safe. Pine trees grow everywhere. White flowers cover the ground. The air smells fresh. You might see a lizard run by. I saw a hawk fly over the valley. The rocks are from volcanoes. They’re millions of years old. You feel nature’s power here. It’s a place to sit and breathe.
Keep the land clean. Don’t leave trash. I carry a bag for my litter. The Biosphere Reserve is special. Your care keeps it nice.
The Mountain’s Story
This mountain has old stories. People stored ice in pits long ago. Farmers walked the Ruta de la Plata with cows. This path is now on the Camino de Santiago. It goes across Gran Canaria. Walking it feels special. The Guanches lived here before. They thought Roque Nublo was holy. You feel their spirit in the rocks. I felt it on my walk.
A military base is at the top. It has a big radar. You can’t go in. The viewpoint is open to all. Old and new mix here. It makes the place different.
Other Mountains to Compare
Gran Canaria has more peaks. Roque Nublo is famous. It’s 1,813 meters. Its rock shape is cool. Roque Bentayga is 1,414 meters. It has Guanche stories. Pico de las Nieves is taller. You see more land. I visited all three. This one feels bigger. The views go farther.
Tenerife’s Pico del Teide is 3,718 meters. It’s very tall. But Pico de las Nieves is easier to reach. You don’t need a long walk or special pass. It’s good for a quick trip.
Things to Watch Out For
The mountain has some hard parts. The military base blocks the real top. You stay at the viewpoint. Walking paths can be steep. My knees hurt after the Cruz Grande path. Buses need planning. They don’t go to the top. You walk from Ayacata. Weather can change fast. Clouds can hide views. I missed a view once because of fog. Be patient. Check the weather.
Tips for Your Visit
Plan your trip well. Check the weather. Clear days show the best views. Clouds can cover the top. Wear a jacket. The top is cold. Bring a hat and sunscreen. The sun is strong. Pack water and snacks. No shops are at the top. I forgot water once. It was tough. Come at sunrise or sunset. The light is pretty. Midday sun is bright. Don’t leave trash. The Biosphere Reserve needs care. I carry a bag for litter. If walking, tell someone your plan. Paths are safe but far away.
Why This Mountain Is Great
Pico de las Nieves is a treasure. You see Gran Canaria’s beauty. The views are big. The paths are fun. The quiet is nice. I visited twice. Each time was new. Driving is easy. Walking is exciting. Buses save money. Stand at the viewpoint. Feel the wind. Take a picture. You’ll always remember Pico de las Nieves.
Disclaimer: This guide is just my personal travel story. It is not an ad. I don’t make money from links, places, or anything in this article. I’m not paid by anyone. Always check maps, weather, and local rules before your trip. I try to share helpful info, but things can change. Please travel safe and use your own judgment.
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Warren Driscoll writes about luxury travel. He has over seven years of experience. Since 2018, he has stayed in private villas in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez, and chalets in the French Alps. Warren’s stories have been shared by Indvidual Magazine. He writes honest reviews and gives helpful tips to help people plan great holidays. He also shares his own photos and real experiences to make his advice clear and useful.