How to get there:
This mountain is located on the island of Gran Canaria.
From the souternmost city, Maspalomas, drive north and cross the big
motorway near exit 45, find route GC-60 signed for Fataga. This road first
climbs to the viewpoint Mirador, then descends into the valley and arrives in the
small village of Fataga. Drive through Fataga. When you pass the sign that signals
the end of Fataga, pay close attention and you will see a hiking trail sign on your
right hand side after approximately 50 meter. It says route S-47. Proceed another
50 meter and there is parking for at least a single car,
this is the trailhead/parking,
location N27.89046, W015.56307, elevation about 650 meter.
Route description:
Walk uphill following sign S-47, or from the parking, take the leftmost road that
runs uphill (the right fork is a private driveway). Higher up, close to a house,
you will locate another S-47 sign pointing right. Follow this sign as you pass
close to a house (the house will be left). The trail now zig-zags uphill to reach
the key saddle (at 754 meter) that defines the prominence of Amurga. Leave the main
trail here and follow a rather small trail as you turn right.
There is a sign saying Amurga on a pole.
From here, the trail is marked frequently with small cairns. Initially, follow the
top of the ridge, higher up, the route will go right and stay on the right side
of the main crest. There are a few variations, all marked with small cairns. Stay high
if you see a choice of routes. The route will pass close
to some small caves, then
continue its traverse that gradually also gains elevation.
Finally, after a long traverse, the route will reach the passage between Amurga (north)
and Roque Almeida (south). Rocque Almeida is very characteristic with its steep side
facing the valley below. Turn more left, the trail will disappear here. Climb to your left
when convenient and proceed all the way to the north end of the crest. This is the summit,
marked with a small heap of rocks.
For extra credit, visit the good viewpoint on top
of Roque Almeida on your return hike.
Comments:
I left Maspalomas around 1000, however, it took me longer than expected to find
the trailhead. In Fataga, it seemed that almost nobody spoke English and the few that
did provided highly conflicting information. "Drive 1.5 kilometer back down the vally",
"proceed further up the valley", etc. I finally located a trail that looked as it
might help. It certainly did not go to Amurga, but it might just get me to some
connecting trail. Thus, I finally left at 1140 and hiked up to the plateau
in about 1:30. I had no map and there were several competing summits up here.
I first hiked across to the main hill and located a summit marker.
I next headed back across the first summit then onwards to the summit of Amurga. It is located at
the far end of a pretty flat plateau.
