08. Cruz del Saucillo - San Mateo
GENERAL CHARACTERIZATION
From a geological perspective, this area is dominated by Basaltic Series II materials, both lava flows and lapillis, as well as agglomerates from the Roque Nublo and Pre-Roque Nublo series. The landscape features continuous ridges and deep ravines, among which several rocks and peaks stand out, such as Saucillo, or Pleistocene explosive calderas such as Calderilla Chica—a circular explosive caldera that is a good example of Strombolian volcanism, in which lava alternates with pyroclasts. The lava flows are thin, as significant quantities of magmatic material did not flow through the vent or lava conduit. The round shape of the caldera is due to an explosion that occurred at the end of the process. Although the trail does not pass through this volcanic edifice, we point it out, as its structure can be seen from Roque Saucillo.
This rock is located on the municipal border of Vega de San Mateo and Valsequillo, within the Las Cumbres Protected Landscape, and constitutes a true geomorphological landmark in the area. Its formation is due to the outcrop of intrusive volcanism, that is, it is a salic python that originated during the Roque Nublo eruption. Roque Saucillo is light brown due to the acidity of its constituent materials; it stands 150 meters high from its base and rises to 1,709 meters above sea level. The material it is composed of is very crumbly, which has led to the formation of numerous tafonis.
The climate in the summit area is submontane, while in the mid-mountain area it is Mediterranean. Rainfall is higher in the mid-mountain area than in the summit area, due to the phenomenon of horizontal precipitation, also known as fog rain. Temperatures are more extreme in the upper part of the island than in this central area, where temperature fluctuations are less pronounced.
We can observe different types of vegetation as we continue along the route. At the summit, we see broom, rock rose, and pine trees; however, in the mid-mountain area, we find remnants of heather and laurel forest at the bottom of ravines, where humidity is higher.
In the final stretch of this trail, we pass near three towns belonging to the municipality of Vega de San Mateo: La Lechucilla, La Lechuza, and the old town of Vega de San Mateo, always visible from the ridge opposite Montaña de Troya. We can see the boom in vine cultivation in this area, where the union of tradition and modernity has led to an interesting variety of exquisite wines. The quality of these wines is guaranteed by the "Gran Canaria" designation of origin.
Other dominant crops are potatoes and, to a lesser extent, legumes and fruit trees—pear, plum, peach, and apple trees.
This side of the island is very rich in water, with the Fuente del Mimbre, in the Barranco del Agua, which continues downstream toward Valsequillo, among others.
Section 1: Cruz del Navegante - Roque Saucillo
If we climb from the town of Telde via Cazadores, we must pass the Caldera de Los Marteles and the Cuevas Blancas reservoir, both located to the left of the ascent. About 400 meters from the end of this small dam, around a sharp bend and to the right of our path, we will see a dirt track. This will be our starting point.
We follow the dirt track to a crossroads; we take the second turnoff toward an ochre-colored house. After passing the house, we take the fork on the right, heading north, which leads us to the base of the peak on a gentle slope. In front of us, at the top, we see Pico Saucillo, also known as the Cruz del Saucillo or the Cruz del Navegante.
We continue along the track, parallel to which runs a masonry pipe. Pine trees, abundant gamonas, morgallanas, brooms, and some laburnums line the path on our right.
We continue our journey towards Roque Saucillo, ignoring all the forks we encounter.
Section 2: Roque Saucillo - Fuente del Mimbre
Upon reaching a flat area, we take the path to the left of a fence.
If the surface is wet, extreme caution should be exercised to avoid slipping. The path becomes narrow and somewhat steep on the descent. Upon reaching an old pine tree, fallen alongside the path, we turn left, zigzagging down to the bottom of the first ravine we must cross, the La Coruña ravine. Sao (Salix canariensis) and some specimens of the fayal-brezal community appear. We are now at Fuente del Mimbre.
Section 3: Fuente del Mimbre - Lomo Las Casas
The trail climbs the opposite slope; it narrows amidst the vegetation, while you can see the remains of walls and some fruit trees, signs that this slope was once used for agriculture. Thus, we reach the Lomo del Picacho, from where, weather and cloud cover permitting, we can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Telde. The trail descends to the bottom of another ravine, Agua, which we cross between walnut and chestnut trees. We then ascend to the next ridge, Las Casas.
Section 4: Lomo Las Casas - San Mateo
Upon arrival, we see a track; we must then follow the path on its left, heading 90° E, until we reach Las Casas and then the Valsequillo-San Mateo road.
We descend along this path until we find a corral or sheepfold, which we leave on our right to continue descending. The dominant vegetation is still broom and rockrose. To our left, at the bottom of the ravine, we see the neighborhood of La Lechucilla; further down, the Vega de San Mateo Secondary School; Montaña de Troya; La Lechuza; and the town of San Mateo. We enter an area of pine trees that leads us toward Lomo Las Casas, where the surface changes from dirt to a concrete track.
This path ends, as already mentioned, at the main road from Valsequillo to Vega de San Mateo, precisely at the bend where the border between the two municipalities is established. At this point, a sign indicates that we are now in the municipality of Vega de San Mateo. To the right of the sign, we must walk approximately 150 meters along a secondary road until we reach a bend. We must be careful, as to the left of our path is the path that zigzags down to the La Higuerilla neighborhood. Continuing along the main road, we reach the old town of Vega de Arriba, in San Mateo.
