Route from Artenara to the Caballero Caves and Los Candiles

Hiker taking in the views from the Caballero Caves, Gran Canaria

Wondering how to get to the Caballero Caves from Artenara? The trail offers breathtaking views, the wonderful shade of a pine forest, and a few more surprises.

Technical details

Roque Nublo seen from Cueva de los Candiles

Difficulty: moderate.
Distance: 8.75 km.
Trail time: 3-3.5 hours.
Elevation gain: 431 m.
Start: Artenara.
Finish: Artenara.
Date completed (photos): February, 2019 (before the wildfires that burned a large part of Gran Canaria in the summer of the same year).

Our round-trip route from Artenara to the Caballero and Candiles Caves

Parking in Artenara

In low season it's easy to find free parking along the main road in Artenara. I've marked some spots where you can find free spaces on the map at the end of this post.

Before starting the hike itself, we strolled through the village center, stopped at a viewpoint, and headed up to the Ermita de la Cuevita (its name is 100% descriptive). 😉

Right from there, going up a good set of stairs, you'll reach the trailhead.

There are other access points by road, but this is the most convenient one if you parked your car in Artenara.

Walking beneath the pine forest

Pine forest on the way to Cueva de los Candiles, Artenara.

Once you pass a small stable (with cute donkeys and all), the dirt trail begins.

At first it's rocky, but it soon turns into a wide, easy path that 4×4s could easily drive through.

The best part on a sunny day (like the one we had) is that most of the hike takes place in the shade of the pines.

Yep, just like the song. 😉

When you reach the turn-off for Cueva de los Candiles (our initial destination), you'll see a sign pointing to the Caballero Caves just a few kilometers away.

We had been wanting to see those caves a couple of days earlier, right when we hiked down to Barranco del Sao, and we still had time before lunch, so…

Caballero Caves

The path to the Caballero Caves remains very easy to walk and well-sheltered from the sun by the treetops.

And when you reach them, you'll realize this "extra detour" is soooo worth it just for the views.

Views of Gran Canaria from the Caballero Caves

This viewpoint is a fantastic spot to take a quick break and recharge.

Cueva de los Candiles

On the way back, you can take the same wide, 4WD-accessible track, or pick a narrow dirt path that hugs the cliff edge (great views without being dangerous at all).

Not knowing any better, we did half and half (that's the track marked on the map at the bottom of this page), but now that I know it, I recommend doing the whole return along the scenic cliff path.

Detail of the path skirting the cliff above Artenara towards Cueva de los Candiles

Especially if you want to enjoy scenery like this the entire way.

And when you reach the stairs going down to Cueva de los Candiles, you have 2 options:

If you're not afraid of heights, head down and explore the cave. Going down that cliff is impressive, even if there isn't much to see inside the cave itself.
If you suffer from vertigo, skip the descent and wait for your hiking buddies while enjoying the views from above.

Reaching Cueva de los Candiles isn't dangerous, as they've installed steps, ropes, railings, and wooden planks that let you reach your goal with minimal effort.

Descent and railing towards Cueva de los Candiles

Do your legs start shaking whenever you look down from a viewpoint or cliff?

Then you'd better skip the nerve-wracking descent.

Heading back to Artenara

We followed the panoramic trail back to the starting point, said goodbye to the little donkey, and headed down to the center of Artenara, where we took the chance to try one of the island's most acclaimed vegetarian restaurants: Biocrepería Riscocaído.

If you want to do the same, don't forget to book.

The place is tiny and tables fill up fast, especially during high season and on weekends.

Wikiloc Itinerary

Want to follow this route on Wikiloc?

You can view the trail on the map at this link.

Heads up: when we went down to Cueva de los Candiles, the GPS went a bit crazy. But don't worry, the path along the cliff edge is very clear, you can't miss it. 🙂

What to bring

Food: if it's going to be a long day, remember to pack sandwiches, fruit, nuts...
Water: I recommend bringing at least 1.5 liters of water per person.
A bag: to pack out all the trash you generate. Please help keep this wonderful place clean!
Sun protection: sunscreen, a cap, sunglasses... the usual essentials.
Comfortable footwear: hiking boots with a sturdy sole that can handle the rough volcanic terrain.