Thursday, 15 January 2015 17:24

GC 15: The North Route Up To The Cumbres

The Bandama Caldera and viewpoint on the road from Las Palmas to Cruz de Tejeda The Bandama Caldera and viewpoint on the road from Las Palmas to Cruz de Tejeda www.photosgrancanaria.com

The GC 15 is the main northern route up from Las Palmas to Cruz de Tejeda and the Gran Canaria highlands. It's windy but wide and runs through the green valleys and hillsides of northeast Gran Canaria and a series of interesting towns and villages. 

 

This road starts at the end of the dual carriageway in Monte Lentiscal just inland from Las Palmas. It goes through Monte village, Santa Brigida and San Mateo before really hitting the highlands.

Highlights include the Bandama Caldera, Santa Brigida old town, San Mateo's market and cobbled streets, and changes in scenery and vegetation as you climb from sea level to over 1500 metres.

Cruz de Tejeda is the natural stopping point on the GC 15. It's just a small group of shops and rural hotels, but it's been the gateway between north and south Gran Canaria for centuries. Nowadays it's a benign tourist trap and the gateway to many of the island's best mountain walks. You'll notice the weather chance at Cruz de Tejeda. The northern highlands are often cool and cloudy but once you get over the ridge the south side is much drier and sunnier.

After Cruz de Tejeda the GC 15 winds downhill at a brake-burning gradient to the roundabout just before Tejeda; the prettiest hill town in the highlands. From the roundabout take the GC 60 to Tejeda or the GC 210 to Artenara, Gran Canaria's highest village.

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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