Las Peñitas ravine in Fuerteventura between palm trees and wild nature

Las Peñitas ravine in Fuerteventura is one of the most fascinating places of the island, a wonderful tale of incredible oases of palm trees and mystery. 

Following a path along the scenic riverbed, you reach the Eremita de la Peña, where there is an alabaster statue of the Virgin, protector of the island.

The Barranco de las Peñitas in Fuerteventura is a very suggestive landscape in the interior of the island, located very close to the ancient capital of the island, Betancuria .

A very unusual landscape with large beaches and volcanoes and the Barranco de las Peñitas looks more like a piece of Morocco transported to Fuerteventura. 

It is a path of palm trees and cacti, a rather arid landscape, which follows a path parallel to the course of a practically dry stream.

To see how nature has transformed this place, just reach the Arco de las Peñitas , which over the years has been smoothed and shaped by the wind and sand. 

 

The Las Peñitas trail

The Barranco de Las Peñitas is one of the most evocative natural places in Fuerteventura and contains an extraordinary charm.

When wondering what to see in Fuerteventura , this attraction is an unmissable stop.

In addition to being an area of ​​great scenic interest, it also has one of the few dams on the island, built after the Spanish Civil War.

The Las Peñitas dam is now unused because it is full of sediment accumulated over the years, so it barely collects water.

If we take the ravine route from Buen Paso towards Vega de Río Palmas we notice an oasis of giant palm trees.

Continuing along the path that runs along the entire ravine, you reach the Hermitage of the Vírgen de la Peña, which is located more or less in the middle of the ravine.

Hermitage of Malpaso , whose name has been given since the 15th century, due to its dangerous location. 

For a time, this place housed the image of the patron saint of Fuerteventura, La Virgen de la Peña.

 

Arco de Las Peñitas, a natural spectacle

Formed by wind erosion, the Arco de las Peñitas is undoubtedly one of those wonderful treasures that only Mother Nature can offer.

Setting off on an adventure on this trail, about 4 km from the municipality of Pájara in Fuerteventura, offers unique experiences.

The Arco de las Peñitas is a magnificent rock formation that the universe has bizarrely sculpted in the Betancuria Rural Park.

This arch is an unmissable attraction during a holiday in Fuerteventura and is one of the most beautiful places on the island.

The Arco de las Peñitas is located a short distance from the Las Peñitas ravine, called in Spanish “barranco de las Penitas” very close to the Ermita del Malpaso.

An unexpected humid environment in a predominantly desert setting, giving rise to a unique landscape of spectacular contrasts.

The Arco de las Peñitas gives the impression of having been created by the hands of a giant, who distorted the rock to give it its current shape. 

Its sinuous curves hypnotize the visitor, and have a powerful power to stop the flow of time.

Once you arrive, it would be impossible not to admire it from almost every angle to appreciate its enchantment.

The rock massif is made up of the oldest materials in the Canary Islands, formed in the depths of the ocean about 120 million years ago.

Las Peñitas ravine in Fuerteventura and its marvellous arch is one of the most unique climbing areas in Fuerteventura, home to enormous blocks of syenite (similar to granite).

Reaching the arch of Las Peñitas 

To reach the arch of las Peñitas there are two paths you can take:

• The first, longer one, starts from the Casa de La Naturaleza restaurant in the municipality of Vega del Río Palmas. 

Through the Peñitas ravine you reach the hermitage and then continue to the arch.

• For the second one, you have to take the FV-621 road towards Ajuy and turn towards Buen Paso

From there, take the FV-627, which leads directly to the dirt esplanade of the ravine, where a few meters away is the start of the path that leads to Las Peñitas.

Las Peñitas has around 30 routes of varying difficulty, some up to 40 metres long, and the ascent and descent can take around 1 hour.

The distance is short, but to reach the arch you have to overcome a certain slope and there is no marked path or trail.

Reaching “Arco de Las Peñitas” involves climbing a natural “staircase” made up of large rocks moved from above.

 

How to get to Las Peñitas ravine?

The path to get to the Las Penitas ravine is perfectly signposted and easy to follow, but obviously you need to have suitable shoes and sunscreen .

Starting from Puerto del Rosario , follow the FV30 to Betancuria, a long journey of 38.5 km that can be covered in 50 minutes by car.

We continue towards Betancuria, leaving behind Casillas del Angel, Almacigo, Valle de Santa Ines and Mirador de Guise and Ayose and Vega de Rio Palmas.

Once you arrive at Vega de Rio Palmas, continue for a couple of kilometers and then you reach your destination, where an incredible view opens up.