Arguineguin Day Trip Review: La Fortaleza & Red Canyon (2024)

Okay, so you are thinking of visiting Gran Canaria and want something more to do than lounge on a beach? Fair enough! A visit to La Fortaleza and the Red Canyon just might do the trick. Situated near Arguineguin, these places offer a great mix of natural beauty, and it seems like just a dash of history for good measure. I will take you with me, nearly, as I cover the ins and outs of this worthwhile day out.

Find additional tips and recommendations here

Why Pick La Fortaleza and Red Canyon?

Gran Canaria packs a surprising amount within it. The south, where Arguineguin sits, tends to boast, arguably, predictable sunny weather – so that’s a win right off the bat. La Fortaleza, in effect, is an old aboriginal fortress and settlement. That sounds intriguing, you know? Meanwhile, the Red Canyon—Barranco de las Vacas to people who like specifics—is a seriously, pretty geological formation. That offers a stunning spectacle, that for sure will get those photo opportunities going. Rather, this day trip isn’t about manicured tourist spots. This is about seeing cool things out in nature.

Getting There

Arguineguin has got, it seems like, solid transport links. Many hotels and rental places offer their tours that include transport – this often, tends to be the simplest choice, basically. But driving there works perfectly, very fine too. A car opens stuff up and you find your way easily. The roads out towards these attractions are in good condition, anyway. This means that even compact rental cars should be quite okay to get you to the trailhead and canyon entrances without much, actually, of a hassle. The local bus service might just be an option if you keep track of their timetables that are reliable, reportedly. Be sure to confirm where you might want to catch a bus, as that info is fairly key.

La Fortaleza: A Step Back in Time

La Fortaleza is, in short, what is left of an aboriginal settlement. It feels pretty important to people interested in local history. Walking around, you see stone ruins, and you tend to almost sense the lives that happened here ages ago. Remember that while the setting is historic, very real physical exertion happens, that for sure you will notice during the hotter times. Water bottles are your ally. If history is not really your jam, maybe those impressive island views can still interest you somewhat? They spread out quite far, you see, and give a solid view that you won’t easily get elsewhere.

Exploring the ruins, it’s almost easy to envision the early inhabitants of Gran Canaria. Information panels that dot the site give you background, mostly, that help breathe life into the location, for certain. Still, bring some of your research for that context, to clarify things too! Some of the site, probably, will be steep in places, more or less. Good footwear provides stable exploration. Weather affects how fun this is for sure, too, so dress so you remain comfortable, it might be prudent.

The Red Canyon: Nature’s Masterpiece

The Red Canyon (Barranco de las Vacas) has, arguably, become Instagram famous in Gran Canaria. Yet, this does not fully express how truly special the place can appear, basically. The light, the way it sculpts the red rock, does tend to create stunning photos. When you walk between the tight canyon walls, that you sense this natural artwork around you in all directions is quite real, certainly something to be aware of when going there.

Arrive at the canyon prepared. Because its rising fame sometimes causes crowding. Midday tends to mean more visitors. Earlier, very early, visits tend to give fewer people and soft, lovely light if photography is on your agenda. Also, respect, if that makes sense, and preservation are musts! Leave everything just the way you find it, keeping it lovely for those yet to come, too.

Visit this guide for trip planning ideas

Hiking Tips for the Day

So, these attractions need more than flip-flops and sunbathing gear. You do need footwear that provides more assistance if, maybe, you like to roam the areas somewhat. That strong sun might get tiring! Protect yourself properly with sunscreen, plus sunglasses that you find that fit too! And carrying enough water keeps everyone comfortable, more or less, particularly during hot months. Bring along snacks. You find refreshment stops around Arguineguin to charge your personal battery, anyway, after this mini-adventure, actually, if the need rises to fill you up more thoroughly.

Photography Opportunities

Gran Canaria hands you ample photography possibilities, to capture amazing pics! La Fortaleza gifts widespread landscapes that can add depth with careful composition. Aim your camera around golden hour – just after sunrise or ahead of twilight hours – as the sun washes the setting in the loveliest hues, it is thought. In turn, the Red Canyon encourages creative, unique photographs as the contours within are very conducive with lighting changes to set mood.

Potential Downsides

Okay, nobody’s totally honest if everything they discuss turns rosy without problems brought out! La Fortaleza might provide shade at select locations alone, something to prepare for beforehand. During peak periods or holiday dates that see most traffic going past these sites, it gets jam packed by people moving by those same spots that could, basically, affect your visit considerably. As these spots attract visitors by lots it’s still very critical to observe general security advice, like, keeping eyes always towards those important things being brought, if anything at all.

Blending Nature and History Together

What renders this excursion special could, essentially, be blending those natural qualities, that mix so greatly right into such amazing backgrounds steeped into long heritage! You not just experience cool canyon rock details but get intimate looks also at bygone settlement activities. That interaction of rock coupled alongside the chronicles of past inhabitants offers anyone the depth which often turns out not visible everywhere else too, it does feel unique!

Making It a Family Thing

Should your people move alongside at all ages or varying health status; bear several vital variables by now before committing! Paths around some site spaces may mean fairly hard movement based on limited hand railing available there – prepare or evaluate mobility accordingly instead always. Red Canyon’s shortness should generally cause accessibility not many trouble to most but stay especially aware of all younger or slightly energetic sorts not just for getting away from yourselves at somewhere too quickly since that turns highly easy here. Discuss stuff properly just for confirming suitability right along anyone around.

Wrap Up and Personal Thoughts

Getting outside of that touristy area is highly preferable. Rather, exploring this part of Gran Canaria seems so worth it! From what is told the scenery provides wonderful photos coupled along something learned historically at just quite one interesting combined shot here! Anyone with little energy towards natural landscapes meets histories right with cultural details all at same area then that must be seriously put on all those personal destination wishlist points seriously!