Sleep in a Canarian cave house with views of the Sao ravine.

Visiting Gran Canaria? Change the beach hotel for a Canarian cave house in a rural area and discover the most authentic side of the island.

Why stay in a cave house in Gran Canaria?

Entrance door to Casa Cueva Lola, Fagajesto.

There are 3 reasons why you should sleep at least one night in a cave house if you go to Gran Canaria:

Cultural immersion: Cave houses were the traditional type of housing used by the aboriginal Canary Islanders and this tradition is still preserved today, especially in rural areas. Many of them have been passed down from father to son for centuries, receiving improvements with each generation.
Restful sleep: the temperature inside a cave house is always pleasant, cool in summer and warm in winter. In addition, the extra calm and silence that sleeping under the rock brings will help you rest like never before. I tell you from experience 😉.
Contact with nature: the respect and integration of the house with the environment allows you to better appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscape and feel part of it. There are environments and situations that brick will never be able to imitate.

Now the question is... are you really going to miss such an experience?

Our stay at Casa Lola

Among all the possibilities, we chose to stay at Casa Lola (Fagajesto) because we needed a house with 3 double rooms for our getaway to the interior of Gran Canaria.

When you take a look at the photos of Casa Lola the first thing that makes you fall in love are the views of the ravine from its terrace with swimming pool.

And well... then it's hard to fall out of love, really 😉.

The structure has an open interior courtyard full of plants that connects the kitchen, bathroom, living room, master bedroom and the other two rooms (contained in the larger cave).

The beds are very comfortable and the house lacks no detail: games in the living room, basic food for breakfast (sugar, coffee, spices, oil...), kitchen tools and even a welcome basket with fruits, Tirma chocolates and a bottle of wine.

Swimming pool and terrace at Casa Cueva Lola

You can also use the pool all year round (although in winter you may not feel like it, as we did). Of course, the panoramic view over the Sao ravine is priceless.

Panorama of Barranco de Sao from Casa Cueva Lola

Aythami, the owner, welcomes you to help you with your luggage, explain how the accommodation works and show you where to park. And in the meantime he tells you the story of Casa Lola and how his grandfather and father have been expanding and improving it over the years with their own hands.

Negative points?

There is no mobile coverage in the area, so you need a wifi connection to communicate with the outside world.
The wifi is captured only in the living room, so you will only be able to use it there.
To enter it you have to go through the roof of other cave houses, somewhat slippery if it rains, so I do not recommend it for people with physical disabilities or difficulty walking.

Honestly?
Reasons 1 and 2 should be considered plus points if you really want to disconnect during the vacations.
The 3 is up to you and your companions. In our case it was not a problem, on the contrary: it made our stay even more special.

Final conclusion of the stay?

2 nights accommodation for 5 people at Casa Lola in mid-February cost us 220€, 22€ per person per night; that is, a bargain 😉.

Terrace next to the swimming pool of Casa Cueva Lola, Gran Canaria.

I am looking forward to returning to Gran Canaria in the summer to enjoy the swimming pool.

Hiking in the Sao Ravine

And once you're at Casa Lola, the call of the Sao is irresistible 😉.

Views of the coast of Agaete from the Barranco del Sao, Gran Canaria.

It was already late when we set off, so we retraced our steps so soon. There was no question of getting caught at night at the bottom of the ravine.

Nevertheless, the walk between lava walls, colorful taginastes and views of the coast of Agaete exceeded our expectations.

Technical specifications

Hiking route Gran Canaria Barranco del Sao

Difficulty: Easy-moderate (as far as we can go).
Distance: 4.6 km.
Travel time: 2 hours (round trip).
Elevation gain: 321 m.
Home: Fagajesto.
Final: Fagajesto.
Date of realization (photographs): February, 2019.

Itinerary on Wikiloc

Do you want to follow this route on Wikiloc?

You can see the route on the map in this link.

Alternatives

If instead of returning you prefer to take a longer hike through the Sao ravine you have several options:

Panoramic view hiking through the Sao ravine, Fagajesto

Make a circular route through the Berrazales.
Reach San Pedro or even Agaete (one way route).
Go to El Hornillo and return along the road to Fagajesto (circular).

What to bring

For the hike:

Food: if it is going to be a long day, remember to bring snacks, fruit, dried fruits...
Water: I recommend carrying at least one liter of water per person (better one and a half liters).
A bag: to collect all the waste you generate. Please avoid littering this marvel.
Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses... The usual.
Comfortable footwear: hiking boots with a hard sole that resists the erosion of the volcanic terrain.

In Fagajesto you will find a unique bar-restaurant that also functions as a neighborhood store, the Bar-Tienda Antonio Pinocha. There you can eat or buy some basic items if you have forgotten to bring something essential (such as bottled water, for example).

When to go

The months from October to March are the rainiest, especially in the north and west of the island.

Trekking route through the Barrando del Sao, Gran Canaria

So if you want to ensure a clear day or a swim in the pool at Casa Lola, spring and summer are the best option.

During our stay in February 2019, for example, the weather went through all possible states: cold, rain, fog, heat, sun, haze....

But that didn't stop us from enjoying the experience like kids. Besides, a little cooler weather is always appreciated when your plan is to hike day in and day out (in spite of my stiffness). 🙂

Remember that although the temperature in the Canary Islands remains pleasant throughout the year, in this high area of the island it is always colder than on the coast, especially when night falls, so bring warm clothes.