This route starts at La Goleta Viewpoint on the road which goes from Llanos de la Pez to Ayacata. From the viewpoint, we have spectacular views of La Culata ravine at the head of Tejeda’s large basin. Just after the route begins, there is a botanic walk which gives us the chance to see the most interesting indigenous plants along the route.
This rock which stands at a height of 1,713 metres is an example of the effect of differential erosion and it is one of the first rocks we come across on our route. The name comes from the similarity with a monk, especially if seen from a certain distance as the profile looks like a hood.
At the first junction where the pathway is signposted, we take a right to go around the base of the Tablón del Nublo and continue through a reforested pine area which goes around the large monolith. Then we reach Degollada Blanca, on our right we have views of the town of Tejeda and its crop growing areas which are called “bocaos” (mouthfuls).
When we use the word “enfilada” (a maritime term) we refer to the sacred meaning which both Bentayga and Nublo had for the aboriginal Canarians. Both are the main landmarks of the Tejeda basin, to the point where the “almogarén” (a sacred place) of Bentayga is associated with the Nublo with which it is aligned given that the “almogarén” is on the side of the Bentagya facing the Nublo.
This is the point where we go up to the Tablón del Nublo finishing our encirclement of the base of the monolith; our attention is drawn to the contrast between the pine forest which we have walked through and the bare landscape which we are going to climb. From here on erosion has left the rock bare and there is practically no soil for vegetation to grow.
The bare flatland where we find the Roque Nublo and La Rana is given the name Tablón, as it is a long almost flat rectangular area with hardly any incline. It is a platform cut from sharp lateral crags as we have seen along the circular route where La Rana and especially Roque Nublo, the remains of an ancient volcanic chimney, reign supreme.
- Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
- Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
- Respect the signposting along trails. Leaving the set paths causes damage to the environment and could also be dangerous for you and anyone with you.
- It is safer to keep your pet on a lead.
- Try not to alter the peace of the environment with excessive noise (loud music, yelling, etc.).