Los Roferos Stratified City is a geological site in Teguise, in the interior of Lanzarote, close to the village of El Mojón. Wind and rain have worn soft, layered volcanic rock into towers, ledges and hollows, and the horizontal bands running through them give the place its name: from a distance the outcrop looks like the ruins of a stone town. The formations sit close to the road and can be explored on foot at any hour.
Los Roferos Stratified City
Local name: Ciudad Estratificada Los Roferos
Outcrop of layered volcanic rock worn by wind into towers and ledges, beside the road near El Mojón
- Accessibility
- Not suitable for wheelchairs: the car park is unsurfaced rock, and the ground among the formations is uneven and covered in loose stones.
- Parking
- Free car park on rocky, unsurfaced ground about 130 m away; free roadside parking as well.
- Difficulty
- Easy walk of about 130 m from the car park over uneven ground and loose small stones; scrambling onto the formations is optional and harder.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stops: Cruce El Mojón and El Mojón, about 1.6 km away in a straight line.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open at any time, every day.
- Address
- Teguise, 35539, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
The rock is built in bands. Each tower stacks horizontal layers of different colour and texture, and the wind has scoured the softer ones back so the harder ones jut out as thin ledges. From the road the cluster looks like a row of ruined temples, and the name fits once you are standing among the walls.
Walk between the formations at your own pace and scramble onto the lower ones for a view over the surrounding land. It is a stop for anyone interested in geology or photography: the texture of the layers is the subject, and the shapes shift as you circle them.
Good to know
- Footwear: small loose stones cover the ground everywhere. Leave flip-flops and sandals in the car.
- No facilities: there are no toilets and no drinking water at the site, and none nearby. Bring your own water.
- Heat: the outcrop is bare rock with no shade and it gets hot. Carry a hat and sun cream.
- Climbing: some formations are too high and too dangerous to climb. Stick to the low ones.
Getting there
By car, the approach is simple: a car park on rocky, unsurfaced ground lies about 130 m from the formations, and you can also leave the car at the roadside. From there you walk straight onto loose stone among the rocks. A guidepost marked Los Roferos stands about 330 m away.
By bus, the nearest stops are in El Mojón, about 1.6 km away in a straight line, and the rest of the way is on foot.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning or late afternoon.
Avoid: the middle of the day in summer.
The outcrop is bare rock with no shade, and a low sun picks out every band in the layers, which go flat under high midday light.
Sun & daylight
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Los Roferos Stratified City on the map
The layered rock crumbles and loose grit covers every surface, so feet slip easily, and some formations are too high to climb safely. Keep to the low ones and wear shoes with grip.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you climb the rocks at Los Roferos Stratified City?
You can climb some of the lower formations for a view over the surroundings. Some are too high and dangerous to climb, and the loose grit underfoot makes slipping easy.Where do you park?
In a car park on rocky, unsurfaced ground about 130 m from the formations, or at the roadside.Are there toilets or water?
No. There are no toilets and no drinking water at the site, and none nearby, so bring water with you.Is it suitable for children?
Yes, as long as someone keeps a close eye on them where they climb: the rock crumbles and the ground is covered in loose stones.When can you visit?
At any time, every day. The formations stand on open ground by the road.