La Matilla in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario

La Matilla is a small village belonging to the municipality of Puerto del Rosario , located inland on Fuerteventura, north of Tetir.

Located approximately 13 km from the capital of Fuerteventura , La Matilla is nestled between two of the highest mountains on the island, La Muda and El Aceitunal.

The area where La Matilla stands today was once part of the vast territory used for grazing and the exploitation of natural resources to adapt to the island’s climatic conditions. 

The numerous archaeological remains discovered in this area testify to the importance this place had for its ancient inhabitants.

This town has a rich rural heritage, where the landscape is characterised by small scattered houses, historically dedicated to pastoralism and agriculture.

This small village is full of historical evidence of the past such as the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Socorro , with typical Majorera architecture.

Unlike other arid areas, La Matilla ‘s clay soil is rich in groundwater and subject to intense erosion, which has created deep “càrcavas”.

For hiking enthusiasts in Fuerteventura , La Matilla is a starting point for trekking itineraries and routes, including the path that connects with Vallebrón.

This route offers panoramic views of the valley and La Muda mountain.

Even for those looking for a Majorera culinary experience , the area is also home to restaurants offering delicious dishes from Fuerteventura’s gastronomy and authentic Canarian flavours.

La Matilla, an authentic rural village 

Today, La Matilla retains the tranquil character of the ancient villages of Fuerteventura . 

Its value lies not in its great monuments, but in the continuity of its cultural landscape, which still evokes a lifestyle linked to the countryside.

For visitors interested in history, La Matilla offers the opportunity to understand how life in Fuerteventura’s interior was organized for centuries.

The festivities in honor of its patron saint are celebrated in August, with religious services held in one of the most culturally important chapels in the municipality.

This is an authentic Majorero village where the link between tradition, culture, and new opportunities for growth intertwine in perfect harmony.

Its landscape preserves characteristic elements of the agricultural system of Fuerteventura: “las gavias” designed to collect rainwater.

One system allowed the cultivation of wheat and barley for centuries, in favorable years; however, the clay soils were not very suitable for agriculture.

The traditional architecture reflects the island’s rural model: single-story, whitewashed brick houses with simple, functional lines. 

La Muda Mountain: a sacred heritage 

Considered one of the most historic sites in Fuerteventura, La Muda Mountain stands as a silent witness to the island’s history. 

Long before the first Europeans arrived in Maxorata, this place was already revered.

This site is not just a mountain, but a first-rate archaeological site, along with Montaña Tindaya.

At Montaña La Muda , remains of settlements, a ceremonial area and several tombs have been found, as well as:

• Fragments of decorated ceramics dating back to the pre-Columbian period have been discovered near its sources
• engravings and other structures that tell us about the life of the aboriginal inhabitants of the island of Fuerteventura

This mountain is located within the Vallebrón Protected Landscape , a geological formation of great beauty. 

Despite the island’s typical lack of rainfall, it acts as a magnet for moisture brought by the trade winds.

Arriving at the top of La Mesa you can enjoy spectacular views of Tindaya and as far as the islands of Lanzarote and Lobos.

How to get to La Matilla

Reaching La Matilla is convenient, as it is only about 13 km from Puerto del Rosario, a journey that can be done in about 20 minutes.

Following the FV10 you travel through stretches of Fuerteventura’s hinterland, another wonder that mother nature has gifted to this splendid island.