Tindaya Mountain, Fuerteventura’s most impressive natural monument

Tindaya Mountain is located in the north of Fuerteventura, in the town of the same name in the municipality of La Oliva is considered the most emblematic natural monument on the island.

This volcanic shield was formed thanks to strong erosion over millions of years, which brought to light trachytic rocks, which are more resistant to erosion.

The base of the Montaña Tindaya pyramid is dotted with small quarries of pink rock with shades of red, ochre and black with a high ornamental value.

The flora and fauna of Tindaya Mountain is very rich in animal species and plant biodiversity, due to its height and orientation.

One of the most evocative and impressive places of the island, the mountain is an unmissable stop for a day of trekking at Fuerteventura.

For years, Tindaya has assumed great international importance, both for its archaeological and ethnographic values, and for being the setting of the sculptor Chillida.

Characteristics of the Tindaya Mountain

The geological interest of the Tindaya Mountain is characterised by the quality of the light grey-brown stone with a peculiar veining that constitutes it.

The trachytic rock intrusion of Tindaya has an elliptical base, whose major axis has a length of approximately 1200 m and its minor axis of 750 m.

The summit of Tindaya mountain is 225 m above the plain level and 400 m above sea level with a steep slope.

The climate around the mountain, like the rest of the island, is arid, with little rainfall and windy, and the influence of the trade winds acts as a thermoregulator.

Mount Tindaya in Fuerteventura was classified as a nature reserve in 1987, and as a natural monument and point of geological interest in 1994.

The Tindaya Mountain is one of the most beautiful excursions in Fuerteventura , as well as one of the trekking routes in Fuerteventura for which authorization is required.

The cultural heritage of the Tindaya Mountain

The particular historical and archaeological interest of Tindaya lies in the fact that it was a sacred place for the aborigines of Fuerteventura, who called it  Montaña Sagrada de Tindaya.

Here we find rock carvings with foot shapes or podomorphs, oriented towards Teide in Tenerife and towards Gran Canaria and areas of North African Berber cultural influence.

These engravings are concentrated around the top of the mountain and there are 111 engravings, with a total of 244 podomorphs and 8 line-shaped engravings.

This natural monument was a sacred place where sacrifices were offered to the deities for purification, healing rituals were performed, or sacred pacts of alliances were sealed.

Permitted Uses of Monte Tindaya in Fuerteventura

• Walk on designated trails accompanied by an authorized guide

Prohibited uses at Tindaya Mountain

• Damage or extract material of geological and biological value
• Dumping of waste, storage or abandonment of materials
• The introduction of flora and/or fauna species
• Livestock activities
• Wheeled vehicle traffic
• Leaving the designated trails and without an authorized guide
• Posting of advertising posters
• Any activity that threatens the nature or landscape of the park

Recommendations for visits

• Do not leave any waste behind
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring water, drinks and snacks in your backpack
• Wear sunscreen all day long
• Respect the rules and signs of the natural monument

How to get there?

To get to Tindaya Mountain from Puerto del Rosario it takes 20 minutes (18 km) and you take the FV-10 towards Tetir and then Tamariche.

Continuing straight on the FV-10, towards Corralejo, then turning right onto the FV-103 towards Tindaya.

Of course, to reach this natural monument and point of geological interest you need a suitable rental car.

Due to some vandalism of the rock carvings, permission from the Environmental Protection Agency is required to climb Montaña Tindaya.