Throughout the wide stretch of land covered by this municipality, it is possible to appreciate real natural treasures hidden in its natural protected areas.
The plant landscape is made up by exotic endemic plants which grow from the coast sandy areas to the high mountains. Therefore, this is an absolute dream for botany lovers and a rewarding newness for visitors. The palm groves are one of the most representative element of the landscape from the coastline to the mid slopes. The Canary Island flora has the biggest concentration of plant formations and exotic endemic plants in the European Union, some of which are real living fossils of extinguished plants or forests.
Just few places throughout the world offer such extraordinary conditions for watching the physical, biological and even astronomical environment as the Canary Islands. Other valuable archaeological and ethnographic enclaves are also located within this large natural reserve which is the municipality Villa de San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
Ornithologists and bird observers from all over the world come to Gran Canaria due to the valuable bird species spread in all the island ecosystems, with a never-ending parade of nesting and migratory birds.
For the study and observation of migratory birds, the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana has two exceptional sites: The Scientific Interest Site of Juncalillo del Sur, a natural protected are where numerous migratory or aquatic species rest or nest, and the Special Natural Reserve of the Dunes of Maspalomas, another protected area due to its fauna, flora and beauty significance. Binoculars and a Canary Island bird guide will make visitors discover an amazing universe.
Villa de San Bartolomé de Tirajana takes part in the network of Natural Protected Areas of the Canary Islands with 10,166.5 hectares, from the coastline and with two predominant areas: “Juncalillo del Sur” and the "Special Natural Reserve of the Dunes of Maspalomas". This first area is one of the most important migratory bird natural observatory in Gran Canaria and the second area consists of three natural elements: a space of fixed and movable sand, the traces of an old palm grove and a coastal lagoon which form a natural group of a very high value from the botanical and faunistic point of view. Other important spaces stand out from the coast to the top of the mountains. For instance, the protected landscape of Fataga, natural monuments such as "Riscos de Tirajana" "Natural Park of Pilancones", some archaeological sites such as Arteara, Barranco de Rosiana or Risco Blanco, among many others, make up the landscape richness of our environment.
Furthermore, San Bartolomé de Tirajana has within its municipality the so called Sites of Community Importance (SCI). This municipality has 7 SCIs out of the 37 existing SCIs in Gran Canaria. The Dunes of Maspalomas, with 403.3 hectares, Pilancones, with 5794.4 hectares, Fataga, with 3004.6 hectares, Riscos de Tirajana, with 772.2 hectares, Juncalillo del Sur, with 192 hectares, Macizo de Amurga, with 5253 hectares and Sebadales de Playa del Inglés, with 2425 hectares. 17,844.5 hectares are the total surface which cover the SCIs of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS:
Special Natural Reserve Los Marteles: This is a landscape of spectacular beauty with a whitish mass of Risco Blanco (a phonolitic dome with an altitude of 400 metres which cannot go unnoticed from any point of Caldera de Tirajana.
Special Natural Reserve of the Dunes of Maspalomas: Along with this space of fixed and movable sand which names this area of an enormous landscape value, the traces of a large palm grove and a lagoon known as La Charca, make up three different ecosystems in this area. Despite the transformations undergone, this area still has species of botanical interest, as well as interesting fauna, either vertebrates and invertebrates. Birds are one of the worthiest elements of this reserve.
Natural Park Pilancones: This park is located between the crater Caldera de Tirajana and the basin of Chira and covers the upper area of the ravine of Ayagaures and the pine forest of Pilancones. This area was expected to become a Spanish National Park at its start and was the first initiative of creation of a protected area with these features in Gran Canaria in 1973, according to the proposal presented by the Spanish Institute for the Conservation of Nature. The oldest geological materials of the island, due to the erosion, have outlined a landscape of ravines and sharp crestings. The most important vegetal cover is the pine forest, which gives shelter to some of the worthiest and most threatened species of birds of the island. This park covers 5,794 hectares and has been declared "Special Protected Area for the Birds" by the European Union, as well as "Ecological Sensitivity Area" by the Canary Island Parliament.
Rural Park El Nublo: This Rural Park El Nublo is located from Degollada de Cruz Grande and covers a large part of the mountains and the southwestern sector of the island. The rock known Natural Monument Roque Nublo, a rocky monolith which is the natural symbol of the island takes part of this area. This park is located on the surface of several municipalities and should be granted with a higher category, due to its natural and patrimonial values. This is one of the areas where the oldest geological material for the formation of the island of Gran Canaria can be found.
Natural Monument Riscos de Tirajana: This is made up by the walls of a crater which covers 35 square kilometres resulting from the erosion. Exotic endemic botanical species included in Libro Rojo de la Flora Canaria (Red Book of the Canary Island Flora) due to their danger of extinction take shelter in this area.
Protected Landscape of Fataga: This landscape runs for the large ravine of Fataga, with dense palm groves, sites of a great archaeological value and picturesque hamlets such as Fataga and Arteara. This landscape also spans the ravine created by the erosion to evacuate the waters which flow toward Maspalomas. Although the quarries located on its southern limits cause a strong impact, as visitors go up to the interior among rugged spaces, it is possible to gaze at one of the most spectacular landscapes of the island. Canary Island spurges and cacti can be found at the lower areas and beautiful palm groves at the upper. Some pine trees can be also found hanging from vertical walls, as well as the scarcy Gran Canaria dragon tree, whereas there is a dense reedbed along the course of the ravine. There are also remarkable archeological and ethnographic sites.
Scientific Interest Site Juncalillo del Sur: It is located at the southern coastline, between Juan Grande and the marine hamlet Castillo del Romeral. Besides the presence of some botanical endemic species, this is one of the biggest interest sites in the island to observe migratory and marine birds, either at the saltworks and flooded areas (salt marshes). Many coastal species come to this area to search for food and even to locate their nests.
Archeological Site and Necropolis of Arteara: At the right side of the ravine of Fataga, next to the village of Artearathere is an ancient cemetery which dates from the fourth century B.C. where more than 800 burial mounds have been identified. These have been built on dry stones and consist of a box made of slabs where the corpse was deposited and, after being covering it, it used to be buried under piles of stones. The analysis of the osseous materials discovered has not been able to determine the funerary rites, but the fabrics made of palm leaf and reed used for the mortise. The Mediterranean and cromagnoid typology of its people, as well as their sturdiness and remarkable height have been determined. Due to the importance of this site, a Interpretation Centre has been built to gather and display the most significant traces of the ancient Canary Island culture.
Archeological Site Barranco de Rosiana, Risco Blanco and ElPajar. The site Yacimiento de Rosiana stands out due to its spectacularity, as well as to several caves with paintings inside. This site consists of more than a hundred caves carved on the wall and many of them are linked among themselves. Their typology is varied and have been used as rooms, silos, tombs or worship places. Risco Blanco is a place used as a Sanctuary or place devoted to worship, with a great singularity and within an extraordinarily beautiful environment. This is made up by an ancient structure with the shape of a phonolith which is thought to be 3.7 million years of age, with a characteristic whitish colour. El Pajar, on the other hand, was part of a large hamlet located on the left side of the mouth of the ravine and approaching its interior part. About four hundred houses were counted in the middle of the 19th century within an are which is currently known as Santa Águeda or El Pajar.
Los Montes de Amurga. This is a massif of a great landscape value located between the ravines of Tirajana and Fataga, with a wide cross section of vegetation and plants. Within this mountainous area, which descends as a ramp toward the coast, there is a series of remarkable archaeological sites which are the most genuine and spectacular in the island.
There are about 400 spaces in the world declared "Biosphere Reserve". Four of them are located in the Canary Islands: "Reserva de Los Tilos", in the island of La Palma, and the islands Lanzarote, El Hierro and Gran Canaria.
“Gran Canaria World Biosphere Reserve”, consists of 71,877.60 hectares, out of which a total of 14,824.2 hectares are part of the municipality of Villa de San Bartolomé de Tirajana. These hectares are distributed as follows: Natural Park Pilancones: 5,794.4 hectares. Protected Landscape of Fataga: 3,004.6 hectares. Natural Monument Riscos de Tirajana: 772.2 hectares. Macizo de Amurga 5,253 hectáreas.
To the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, being part of the Gran Canaria World Biosphere Reserve means: the conservation of the singular natural, cultural and landscape heritage. The international acknoledgement to the sustainable development project commenced with the development of the project Agenda Local 21. This will make easier the objection of new resources for the projects which may be suggested in the future and to boost and reactivate plans for the ecological agriculture and cattle raising and the rural tourism. This will also preserve and boost our culture through the information exchange among other biosphere reserves. Furthermore, the improvement of life conditions of its local people by applying new methods for using the existing natural resources and respecting their conservation. Support for environment research, education and formation through the International Reserve Network which is an extraordinary databank on biodiversity and experiences on rational resource management.
This is one of the activities which enable visitors to have a direct contact with nature. There are different camping areas in the municipality and its surroundings such as Mesa de las Vacas or the free shelter Casa de Pargana or Cho Flores. Although these camping areas have no services, they are located in mountain spots where visitors will enjoy quietness and peace.
In the mid slopes of Tirajana, visitors will discover Chira, a rural shelter and camping area equipped with all the services and located next to the reservoir with the same name. Paddling, sailing and other nautical activities can be practised when there is water in the reservoir. Other camping areas such as El Sequero, El Bailadero or El Vivero de Tirajana are very close among themselves in the Natural Park Pilancones and are complemented with the trekking routes stretched along this park. The camping area Morro de Santiago, in the area of Chira, is a bit further but takes advantage of the facilities of a close recreational area equipped with water, campfires, tables, etc. The recreation area of Vista de Fataga, next to the road GC 60 and very close to Tunte, offers similar services.
In order to camp at these camping areas, visitors must apply for the appropriate permission at the Área de Medio Ambiente del Cabildo de Gran Canaria (Environment Department of the Gran Canaria Government) and the applications for the use of the shelters must be presented at the Federación Canaria de Montañismo (Canary Island Mountain Climbing Federation).
Camping at the coastline is only permitted at some beaches such as Tarajalillo, Pocito Bea, Triana and Carpinteras, upon the application for its authorization at the Concejalía de Playa del Ayuntamiento de San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Beach Department of the Municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana).
CAMPING AREAS
Vivero de Tirajana
San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Pista Forestal de Pilancones
10 Plazas
Tfno.: +34 928 219229
Click on
“Permisos para la estancia en areas recreativas, albergues y zonas de acampadas”
Concejalía de Playas del Ilustre Ayuntamiento de San Bartolomé Tirajana
C/ Las Dunas 3
35100 Playa del Inglés
Telf.: +0034 928769163
Mailplayas@maspalomas.com
Villa de San Bartolomé de Tirajana takes part in the network of Natural Protected Areas of the Canary Islands with 10,166.5 hectares, from the coastline and with two predominant areas: “Juncalillo del Sur” and the "Special Natural Reserve of the Dunes of Maspalomas". This first area is one of the most important migratory bird natural observatory in Gran Canaria and the second area consists of three natural elements: a space of fixed and movable sand, the traces of an old palm grove and a coastal lagoon which form a natural group of a very high value from the botanical and faunistic point of view. Other important spaces stand out from the coast to the top of the mountains. For instance, the protected landscape of Fataga, natural monuments such as "Riscos de Tirajana" "Natural Park of Pilancones", some archaeological sites such as Arteara, Barranco de Rosiana or Risco Blanco, among many others, make up the landscape richness of our environment.
Furthermore, San Bartolomé de Tirajana has within its municipality the so called Sites of Community Importance (SCI). This municipality has 7 SCIs out of the 37 existing SCIs in Gran Canaria. The Dunes of Maspalomas, with 403.3 hectares, Pilancones, with 5794.4 hectares, Fataga, with 3004.6 hectares, Riscos de Tirajana, with 772.2 hectares, Juncalillo del Sur, with 192 hectares, Macizo de Amurga, with 5253 hectares and Sebadales de Playa del Inglés, with 2425 hectares. 17,844.5 hectares are the total surface which cover the SCIs of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. 
This is one of the activities which enable visitors to have a direct contact with nature. There are different camping areas in the municipality and its surroundings such as Mesa de las Vacas or the free shelter Casa de Pargana or Cho Flores. Although these camping areas have no services, they are located in mountain spots where visitors will enjoy quietness and peace. 
In order to camp at these camping areas, visitors must apply for the appropriate permission at the Área de Medio Ambiente del Cabildo de Gran Canaria (Environment Department of the Gran Canaria Government) and the applications for the use of the shelters must be presented at the Federación Canaria de Montañismo (Canary Island Mountain Climbing Federation).