Las Peñitas Ravine is a canyon in the municipality of Betancuria on Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands. A trail follows the riverbed downstream from Vega de Río Palmas: green and roughly level at first, then rocky and steep once it passes an old dam and the gorge closes in. Along the way stand the chapel of Our Lady of La Peña (Ermita de la Peña), natural pools that draw waterbirds and, further on, a natural rock arch (Arco de las Peñitas).
Las Penitas Ravine
Local name: Barranco de las Peñitas
Rocky ravine below Vega de Río Palmas, with an old dam, a chapel in the gorge and a natural rock arch.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- The first stretch from Vega de Río Palmas is roughly level; past the old dam the path turns rocky and steep, which rules out wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Parking
- Free. The Mirador Las Peñitas car park is about 550 m away in a straight line; a second free car park, rocky-surfaced, is about 850 m away.
- Difficulty
- Easy and roughly level from Vega de Río Palmas to the old dam, then rocky and steep through the gorge, with a climb at the far side to a viewpoint. To the Arco de las Peñitas and back is about 6 km.
- Transport
- The nearest bus stop is about 1.8 km away in a straight line; the Iglesia La Vega stop is about 2.6 km away.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open at any time.
- Address
- Barranco de las Peñitas, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
The ravine changes character at the old dam. Above it, the walk from Vega de Río Palmas runs along a green valley floor on a more or less level path. Past the dam wall, its reservoir long since filled with silt, the gorge narrows and the trail turns rocky and steep between high walls of bare rock.
The chapel of Our Lady of La Peña, the patron saint of Fuerteventura, stands in the gorge, and a path drops below it to a view over natural pools where waterbirds paddle. Further on, a branch leads to the Arco de las Peñitas, and a climb at the far side ends at a viewpoint among weathered rock formations. Barbary ground squirrels, introduced to the island, scurry along the path and come right up to walkers.
Good to know
- No toilets or drinking water at the ravine, and none nearby. Carry plenty of water and snacks.
- Above the old dam the path is green and roughly level; below it the going is rocky and steep, so wear proper walking shoes.
- Barbary ground squirrels crowd the path and come close looking for food.
- From the far side, goat trails lead back over the mountain: rough, unmade ground for confident hikers only.
Getting there
From Vega de Río Palmas the trail follows the river downstream. The first stretch is green and more or less level; once the path passes the old dam it turns rocky and steep as the gorge closes in. The chapel of Our Lady of La Peña comes next, with a path down to a view over the pools. Keep on until the trail reaches a junction, where a branch leads to the Arco de las Peñitas. There and back to the arch is about 6 km.
An information board and a guidepost stand near the ravine. By car, the Mirador Las Peñitas car park lies about 550 m away in a straight line, and a second car park with a rocky surface about 850 m away. The nearest bus stop is about 1.8 km away.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning, from autumn to spring.
Avoid: the middle of the day in summer.
The gorge below the dam is bare rock that holds the heat, and there is no water to refill on the way, so the cool early hours make the steep stretch and the walk back far easier.
Sun & daylight
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Las Penitas Ravine on the map
Below the old dam the path is rocky and steep, and the bare slopes give little relief from the sun. Wear sturdy shoes, carry plenty of water and keep to the built path; the goat trails over the mountain are rough, loose ground.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk through Las Peñitas Ravine?
From Vega de Río Palmas to the Arco de las Peñitas and back is about 6 km. Walking up and down the ravine with stops at the chapel and the pools can fill around three hours.Is the trail difficult?
The stretch from Vega de Río Palmas to the old dam is green and roughly level. Past the dam the path turns rocky and steep through the gorge, and there is a climb at the far side up to a viewpoint.Where can I park?
The Mirador Las Peñitas car park lies about 550 m from the ravine in a straight line. A second car park, with a rocky surface, is about 850 m away.Are there toilets or water along the way?
No toilets or drinking water at the ravine, and none nearby. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and start early to avoid the heat.What is there to see in the ravine?
The old dam, the chapel of Our Lady of La Peña in the gorge, natural pools with waterbirds, the Arco de las Peñitas rock arch and a viewpoint among rock formations at the far side.