Gran Canaria - Interior of the Island Attractions

10km/6mi beyond San Bartolomé de Tirajana, in the village of Ayacata, a road branches off on the right to the Pozo de las Nieves, the island's highest peak, from which, in clear weather, there are fantastic views of the whole of Gran Canaria.

There are grandiose views from the main road as it continue towards Tejeda from Pozo de las Nieves. Particularly imposing is the Roque Nublo ("Cloud Rock"), which is seen on the right soon after Ayacata. This bizarrely shaped rock is a landmark and emblem of the island.

Just after the Cruz de Tejeda a road goes off on the left to Artenara, in a region of beautiful and still almost entirely unspoiled scenery. In Artenara itself there are cave dwellings and a cave church.

After many curves and sharp bends the road comes, 7km/4.5mi beyond the mountain village of Tejeda, to the Cruz de Tejeda, on the highest point of the pass (1,490m/4,890ft). Here there is a constant bustle of commercial activity. Nearby is a parador.

From Telde C 812 runs south to Ingenio, with the Museo de Piedras y Artesanía Canaria, which is mainly a showroom for the sale of Canarian handicrafts. The road then continues via Agüimes to join the motorway at the Vecindario/Arinaga junction, from which it is 20km/12.5mi back to Playa del Inglés.

From Playa del Inglés a road signposted to San Bartolomé de Tirajana goes due north. Soon the last houses are left behind and the road enters the mountain world in the center of the island, with magnificent views of the bizarre and barren landscape. In 24km/15mi it comes to San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the administrative center of southern Gran Canaria.

From Valsequillo it is 11km/7mi to Telde, the second largest town on the island. The church of San Juan Bautista is worth a visit, but otherwise there is little to detain the tourist in this rather noisy little town.