Morro de la Agujereada
1,957 m
Spain
Also known as Morro de la Agujerada, Morrón de la AgujereadaAlso known as
Morro de la Agujerada · Morrón de la Agujereada
- Elevation
- 1,957 m
- Prominence
- 1,957 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Mar–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: II–III (Wikiloc description quoted by lospasosquedejamosatras.blogspot.com) · MIDE 5-3-5-1 (reptesmuntanyencs.cat)
A short but serious unofficial scramble to Gran Canaria's true high point, a rock tower a few metres from the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint: a short downclimb, exposed ledges round the far side of the tower, a gap under a boulder and a vegetated gully of grade II–III. Only 325 m and 80 m of ascent, about 15 minutes to an hour, with a rappel or delicate downclimb on the way back.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 0.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +46 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,957 m
- Time Up
- 16m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 14m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park at the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint at the end of the GC-134 (km 0), just below the fence of the Air Force radar station. Climb the steps to the left to the landing by the Pico de las Nieves geodetic vertex (1,949 m), from where the higher rock of the Morro de la Agujereada is in view. The route is not signed or maintained and has loose rock and scrub. Follow the crest, or a small path on its left, to a 3–4 m downclimb (a bolt allows a rope to be used). Pass the hole that gives the rock its name, keeping off the small stone bridge above it, which sources describe as very dangerous. Traverse round the right-hand (far) side of the tower on ledges with a big drop below but room to walk, pass through a gap behind a boulder leaning against the wall, and climb a short step on roots and plants to a narrower terrace. Near the end of the traverse, where the Riscos de Tirajana open up below, a gully or chimney on the left leads to the top; its first 6 m are the hardest, then it eases. A logbook is kept in a box among the summit rocks; there is no summit marker. Return the same way (the descent is harder than the ascent) or abseil from a prepared anchor at the top back onto the approach ledge. Times range from 13 minutes moving to about an hour for the round trip. Not for anyone with vertigo, in wet conditions, or alone; inexperienced parties should go with a belaying partner or a local guide.
Start
Mirador del Pico de las Nieves1,938 m
- Not checked; a car or taxi to the viewpoint is the practical option.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mirador del Pico de las Nieves → Morro de la Agujereada | 0.4 | 46 | 28 | 16m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Mirador del Pico de las Nieves1,938 m
- Feature: Pico de las Nieves1,940 m
- Crux: La Agujereada1,876 m
Hole at the base of the rock; traverse ledges round its far side and climb the gully on the left (not on route line)
- Summit: Morro de la Agujereada1,957 m
Key Passages
- 3–4 m downclimb on the crest
- Exposed ledges on the far side of the tower
- Gap behind a leaning boulder
- Vegetated gully to the summit (first 6 m hardest)
- Descent or abseil back to the approach ledge
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 60%Overview
The true high point of Gran Canaria, a rock tower a few metres from the much-visited Pico de las Nieves viewpoint and about 6 m higher than its geodetic vertex. Reaching the top means an unofficial, exposed scramble of grade II–III with a tricky descent.
For decades Pico de las Nieves (1,949 m), with its viewpoint, geodetic vertex and Air Force radar station, was given as the summit of Gran Canaria. More accurate surveys showed that the Morro de la Agujereada, also called La Gañifa, a rock promontory on the edge of the same summit area above the Tirajana caldera, is the highest point at 1,956 m. It is the high point of Las Palmas province and, with all its height as prominence, an ultra.
The Morro takes its name from a large erosion hole at its base. From the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint, reached by road, you can see it at close range and walk round to the hole. The top is reached by a short scramble on ledges and a vegetated gully on the far side of the tower. It is not signed, not maintained and not an official path; a fall from the ledges would be serious.
The view takes in the Caldera de Tejeda, Roque Nublo, the Riscos de Tirajana and, across the sea, Teide on Tenerife. The summit area is often windy and can be in cloud.
Climbing Notes
This is a climbers' objective, not a walk. You need a head for heights and to be confident climbing up and down grade II–III rock with exposure; the descent is harder than the ascent. Carry a short rope, harness and abseil device for the downclimb and the anchor at the top, and wear a helmet because of loose rock. Do not go in wet weather or alone, and avoid the small stone bridge above the hole. Local adventure companies offer guided ascents. Walkers can enjoy the summit area from the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint, which is accessible to all.
History
The slopes of the Pico de las Nieves massif hold many old snow wells (pozos de nieve), used in the past to store snow; the summit viewpoint is named after them. In 2018 the newspaper Canarias 7 reported that improved survey data showed the Morro de la Agujereada, at 1,956 m, to be higher than Pico de las Nieves; IGN's toponymic database lists 1,956 m, while the Pico de las Nieves geodetic vertex is 1,949.98 m.
Season
Best Mar–Jun- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Good
- Jan
- Cold and sometimes icy or cloudy at the summit; avoid wet rock
- Feb
- Occasional snow or ice on the summit
- Jul
- Hot; calima and wildfire-risk restrictions possible
- Aug
- Hot; calima and wildfire-risk restrictions possible
- Nov
- Rain more likely; avoid wet rock
- Dec
- Cold and windy; avoid wet rock
Access & Permits
- Rules
- The summit area borders the Air Force radar station (Estación de Vigilancia Aérea nº 21, Pozo de las Nieves); stay outside the fenced military zone
- There is no approved path to the top; the scramble is unofficial and unmaintained
- Getting There
Tejeda; San Mateo (Vega de San Mateo)
Gran Canaria (LPA)
- Car: by mountain roads to the GC-134 and its end at the Pico de las Nieves viewpoint car park
- Public transport to the viewpoint was not checked
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather