Thursday, 15 January 2015 16:11

GC 200: Gran Canaria's Most Spectacular Road

The GC 200 is Gran Canaria's most spectacular road The GC 200 is Gran Canaria's most spectacular road

The GC 200 has it all from hairpin bends to sheer cliff-edge drops. It's Gran Canaria's most spectacular road and takes you right through the Biosphere Reserve along its most remote coast.

GC 200 starts at the end of the GC 1 motorway at Puerto de Mogán. At first it meanders up the Mogán Valley before heading northwest towards La Aldea town on the west coast. Before you get there you pass they great multicoloured cliff close to Veneguera and drive through the steep Degollada de Tasarte.

Alex Says: Degollada in Canarian is the word used for a steep-sided pass between Barrancos. Its Spanish meaning is a "throat slash".

From the road take the track to Veneguera beach or park up at Tasarte and hike down to Gui Gui beach.

At La Aldea, the road rejoins civilisation before climbing again to the Anden Verde cliffs. Stop at the viewpoint, called el Balcón de Atlantico, for incredible views south to the Dragon's Tail cliffs and north along the rugged cliffs. Say hello to the ravens and ignore the snack man if he's rude (he's horrible to almost everyone who doesn't buy his overpriced snacks).

Just after the viewpoint the road reaches it's highest point and the vertical drop is hundreds of metres. The road here is protected by overhanging nets as it gets hit by rockfalls every time there is rain. Don't drive this section if it is raining or has recently rained: It's dangerous.

 
La Aldea - Agaete, the GC200. It's a little bit curvy, but mán...

La Aldea - Agaete, the GC200. It's a little bit curvy, but man what a road! According to some, it's the most stunning road in Europe. Here's a timelapse of it.

Posted by Gran Canaria on Tuesday, 25 August 2015

 

The winding drive from the viewpoint to Agaete takes an hour (the locals say it has a bend for every day of the year, but we've never counted them) and the only place for a drink is at El Risco village. Go to the right-hand bar as it's a charming, ramshackle spot that doubles up as the shop. Enjoy the sweets.

At El Risco, walk inland through the village and up the valley to the Charco Azul natural pool with a waterfall. Otherwise head on to Agaete for coffee at the sunken garden or down to the coast at Puerto de las Nieves for seafood.

Media

The bits of this Porsche 911 commercial with the ocean in it were recorded at the GC200. The rest was recorded higher up in Gran Canaria.
Published in Day Trips

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Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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