Unamuno Viewpoint

From the edge of Artenara the ground falls away into the Tejeda basin, and on the far side stand Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, the rock towers that mark the centre of Gran Canaria. A metal figure of Miguel de Unamuno shares the view. He called this landscape a "petrified storm", and standing here, with ridge behind ridge of bare rock and ravine, the phrase reads as description.

Artenara has viewpoints facing in several directions. This one faces the summit rocks. For a second look over the town, walk the five minutes up to the statue of Christ above it.

• The viewpoint sits just below the main one off the square and is easy to walk past; look for the metal statue.
• Public toilets are about 50 m away, and a free drinking-water fountain about 100 m away.
• A municipal picnic area lies about 130 m away.
• The statue of Christ above the town is a five-minute walk up and worth adding to the visit.
• Summer days up here get hot: bring water and something for your head.

Most people arrive by car. A free public car park lies about 130 m away, and there is more parking by Mirador La Cilla, about 230 m away. The Artenara bus stop is also about 130 m from the viewpoint.

From either, walk to the town square and head down from the main viewpoint there: Unamuno Viewpoint is the terrace just below it, marked by the statue and an information board.

Best: late afternoon on a clear day.

Avoid: midday in high summer, and days when cloud sits on the summits.

The low western sun throws side light across Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, while summer noon brings strong heat and flat, hazy light, and cloud over the rim can hide the rocks entirely.