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Vega de San Mateo – a Rural and Traditional Mountain Village
Vega de San Mateo is a municipality in the central part of the Canary Island of Gran Canaria. It is a rural and traditional community known for its agriculture, markets, cultural festivals, and natural beauty. Situated at an altitude of 800 meters in the mountainous interior of Gran Canaria, it is approximately 22 kilometers southwest of Las Palmas, the island’s capital. The population of Vega de San Mateo is around 7,500 people (as of 2024).
View over Vega de San Mateo from above shortly after sunrise
Map
The region’s economy is primarily based on agriculture and livestock. Fruit, vegetables, and cereals are cultivated in the fertile valleys and slopes. Vega de San Mateo is also known for its weekly market, one of the largest and most diverse on the island, offering fresh produce, handicrafts, and regional specialties. The area offers picturesque landscapes and numerous hiking trails that wind through the many mountains and valleys. Popular hiking destinations include the peaks and viewpoints near the village, providing breathtaking views of the island.
View from the hiking trail over Vega de San Mateo and the surrounding areaTwo Major Hiking Routes around Vega de San Mateo
Since the area around Vega de San Mateo is known for its beautiful hiking routes, we spent a week there, hiking every day. In this article, I would like to introduce you to two major hiking routes southwest of Vega de San Mateo. These routes are grouped together because they both lie in the same area near Vega de San Mateo and even overlap in parts. As you might have guessed, you can combine them to suit your preferences. You can create three small loops, one very large loop, or, like me, two large loops.
View of the Degollada de las Arenas with its glowing sand
My first route is 17 kilometers long and takes you through Los Roquetes and the Degollada de las Arenas towards Hoya del Gamonal, then loops back to Vega de San Mateo. Therefore, I call this hike Degollada de las Arenas (red track). The second route, just over 14 kilometers long, takes you along a long ridge path towards Hoya del Gamonal. From there, it makes a large loop through small villages like Cueva Grande, returning to Vega de San Mateo. Hence, I call this hike Cueva Grande (blue track).
Vega de San Mateo hikes are easy to combine: Degollada de las Arenas hike (red) and Cueva Grande hike (blue)
Track of the Degollada de las Arenas hike near Vega de San Mateo
Track of the Cueva Grande hike near Vega de San Mateo
General Information about the Hikes around Vega de San Mateo
Starting Point and Approach
Both hikes start at Calle la Asomada in the hamlet of La Asomada at a small parking lot. However, since these are circular hikes, you can start your individual route at any other point along the loop.
Approach by car
You can reach my starting point from Vega de San Mateo via the GC-41. Outside of San Mateo, there is a large shopping center. In a sharp left turn before the shopping center, Calle Asomada branches off straight up from the GC-41. At the end of the road is La Asomada. You can turn left and park in a small parking lot or along the roadside. Alternatively, you can take the GC-414 towards La Asomada and park at Calle Lomo los Ingleses.
Approach by bus
Buses run on the island to Vega de San Mateo and then along the GC-41, with many bus stops. There are several good opportunities to “join the hiking loop” here. However, there is no bus service to La Asomada. Details of all bus connections on Gran Canaria can be found on the Guaguaglobal website.
Time
I hesitate to give specific times, as hiking times can be very individual. We took just over 6 hours for the 17-kilometer Degollada de las Arenas loop. For the other hike, Cueva Grande, it was 5 hours.
Elevation profile of the Degollada de las Arenas hike (red track)
Elevation Gain and Route Length
Degollada de las Arenas hike: 900 meters elevation gain and 17 kilometers
Cueva Grande hike: 660 meters elevation gain and 14.2 kilometers
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Elevation profile of the Cueva Grand hike (blue track)
Difficulty
You will mostly hike on well-maintained paths, dirt roads, or small roads. However, the short ascent to the Degollada de las Arenas (1st hike, red track) is somewhat rugged, steep, and not always very comfortable. Surefootedness is required here.
Refreshment
There may be refreshment options on both hikes, as you occasionally pass through small villages. However, whether there are open bars, I cannot say. You need to check locally in advance. In any case, you should bring enough water and possibly food for the journey.
Variants
As mentioned above, you can combine these two major circular hikes as you like. You can see this on the track map, where the red and blue paths partially overlap. I have also done other hikes near Vega de San Mateo, which I will gradually introduce here.
Currently, you can find the following hike on SiebenInseln near these routes:
Hiker on the hiking trail along the ridge above Vega de San Mateo
Circular Hikes around Vega de San Mateo
Hike Degollada de las Arenas (red track)
Section from Calle la Asomada to Los Roquetes
We started directly in La Asomada on Calle la Asomada. As described above, you can arrange this differently. After a short time, Calle la Asomada splits into a lower and an upper road. Go left along the upper road until you reach another fork. Here, go left down Calle Lomo los Ingleses. After a short time, turn left onto Calle Hoya Navara. This path continues downhill past fields, houses, and a water depot. It ends at the GC-414 in the hamlet of La Lechucilla. Briefly go left along the GC-414, then cross the road and continue straight on the opposite side.
Hiking trail through a green ta near La Lechucilla
At a house, the road ends, and you enter a very green ravine via a narrow hiking path. Walk straight for a while. Eventually, you pass a house and shortly after, join the road La Lechucilla. Follow it left. Walk through the village, and the road gradually ascends. At the end of the village, it turns into a steep hiking trail that quickly takes you out of the village. Shortly afterward, you pass the distinctive rocks of Los Roquetes.
Ascent path via La Lechucilla to the Los Roquetes rocks
Section from Los Roquetes to below Roque Saucillo
Behind the rocks of Los Roquetes, the path turns east, offering beautiful views of this side of the island. Walk downhill until the path intersects with another hiking trail coming up from the left. Turn right. Enjoy the scenic uphill journey. Shortly after a small water depot on the right, the path turns sharply left. Walk uphill through the wooded area. The path then turns right again. Follow this path straight for a long time, crossing a small ravine.
Hiking trail below Roque Saucillo
Continue uphill until you reach a wider path. Cross it and continue left on the other side along the hiking trail. Eventually, rejoin the wider path and cross it again. Continue straight through the forest. To your left is the massive rock Roque Saucillo. The path here is somewhat narrow and adventurous. High above on your right, you see the Montaña de las Arenas and the Degollada de las Arenas.
Hiker on the steep ascent path to the Degollada de las Arenas
Section from Roque Saucillo to Caserío Lomito Blanco
Walk in a curve beneath the massive rock Roque Saucillo, crossing several small ravines. The path here can sometimes be hard to find. Finally, it leads steeply up to 1501 meters in altitude to the Degollada de las Arenas. The hardest part of the hike is now behind you, and you can enjoy magnificent views in all directions from the top, surrounded by the shining sands (Arena in Spanish means sand). A picnic on the Degollada is highly recommended.
View from the hiking trail below the Degollada de ArenasArticle summary and large selection of GPS hiking tracks
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Sign up nowAfterward, the hiking trail leads downhill through the sand into the forest. Cross several ravines in the forest. Above the hamlet of Hoya del Gamonal Emalsa, you will encounter a concrete road coming up from the hamlet. Follow this left uphill. After another ravine crossing, you reach the hamlet of Caserío Lomito Blanco. Here, you intersect with the S-20 hiking trail. While the S-20 continues uphill, cross it and walk straight through Caserío Lomito Blanco at an elevation of 1550 meters.
Rest on the Degollada de las Arenas
Section from Caserío Lomito Blanco to Hiking Trail S-20
On the hiking trail, cross the Barranco Lomito Blanco and walk around the valley. Then join the S-21 trail, following it left for a long time. It takes you through some ups and downs, well signposted, past La Ensillada and Los Manantiales. Then, you come to a farmstead and cross the GC-600. On the Diseminado Cueva Grande path, descend into the village of Cueva Grande. Where the path meets the GC-600 again, turn right past the El Labrador restaurant and go up the road.
Descent path from the Degollada de las Arenas down towards Caserío de Lomito Blanco
After the first hairpin bend on the GC-600, turn left onto Lugar Camaretas. Follow this small road downhill for a long time, cross another road at the bottom, and continue along Lugar Camaretas. Pass a few houses and walk along the edge of the village Camaretas until you reach the Aula de la Naturaleza, Camaretas. Turn slightly right uphill and rejoin the main S-20 hiking trail.
Branch-off from the S-20 concrete hiking trail at Caserío Lomito Blanco in the direction of Cueva Grande
Section from Hiking Trail S-20 to Starting Point La Asomada
On the S-20, turn left. Walk along the ridge path through the forest for a long time. The forest eventually opens up, offering good views of the surrounding landscape and villages on both sides. Before reaching La Asomada, you will come to the point where you initially turned off to La Lechucilla. Depending on where you started, you can now return to your starting point.
El Labrador restaurant on the GC-600 in Cueva Grande
View from the hiking trail over La Camaretas to La Montaña (1378 metres altitude)
Hike Cueva Grande
Section from La Asomada to Caserío de Lomito Blanco
We started directly in La Asomada on Calle la Asomada. As described above, you can arrange this differently. After a short time, Calle la Asomada splits into a lower and an upper road. Go left along the upper road until you reach another fork. Now, instead of turning left as in the other hike, continue straight along the ridge. This is the same path I described as the return route from the Aula de Naturaleza, Camaretas in the first hike. You now hike up the ridge and at the Aula, continue straight on the S-20 trail. The trail leads you further uphill along the ridge.
Hiker on the S-20 ridge path with beautiful views in all directions
After some time, you will see the Presa de La Lechucilla below on your left. Continue uphill, seeing the small hamlet of Las Cuevas on your right and Hoya del Gamonel Emalsa on your left. Then continue uphill through the valley and eventually reach the concrete road below Caserío de Lomito Blanco. Continue straight for a short while. At the end of the village, turn right into the Barranco. From here, the route is identical to the Degollada de Arenas hike (red track above).
Presa de la Lechucilla on the left-hand side of the S-20 hiking trail
Section from Caserío de Lomito Blanco to El Mesón
On the hiking trail, cross the Barranco Lomito Blanco and walk around the valley. Then join the S-21 trail, following it left for a long time. It takes you through some ups and downs, well signposted, past La Ensillada and Los Manantiales. Then, you come to a farmstead and cross the GC-600. On the Diseminado Cueva Grande path, descend into the village of Cueva Grande. Where the path meets the GC-600 again, this time continue straight along the GC-600 through the entire village of Cueva Grande. This section along the road is not particularly pleasant due to the traffic.
View of Cueva Grande and the Presa de Cueva Grande reservoir from the hiking trail
However, the landscape and the Presa de Cueva Grande, which you pass, somewhat compensate for the hike along the busy road. Some time after the Presa de Cueva Grande, finally leave the GC-600 and turn right onto the hiking trail. Descend along the varied Calle Lomo Matazno. Pass many houses and small hamlets, crossing the GC-15 twice, continuing on the other side each time. The path leads you through fields and small villages. Eventually, you reach El Mesón, meeting the GC-15 for the third time on Clodoaldo José Santana Pulido Street.
Hiking trail through small villages down to Vega de San Mateo and the starting point
Section from El Mesón to Starting Point La Asomada
In El Mesón, briefly go right along the GC-15. At the first sharp left turn on the GC-15, continue straight onto Camino La Lechuza. This road continues left. Walk through La Lechuza, passing a school and a restaurant. Ignore a right turn. Finally, rejoin Calle La Asomada, following it left or right uphill, depending on your starting point, to return to the starting point.
View of the hiking trail down towards Vega de San Mateo and La Asomata
And finally
I hope you enjoyed these two major loops near Vega de San Mateo. They are partially identical and can be easily combined. The first loop keeps you mostly in nature, while the second also takes you through villages and hamlets. You decide what you want to see. Wherever and however you hike, I wish you wonderful hiking experiences,
Dagmar from SiebenInseln
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