Probably the best-known landmark of Gran Canaria are the dunes of Maspalomas, Dunas de Maspalomas, at the southern tip of the Canary Island. They are about 6 kilometres long and can extend up to 2 kilometres wide. They stretch from the popular holiday resort of Playa del Inglés to the famous lighthouse in Maspalomas and cover an area of about 403 hectares.
The dunes invite you to hike and explore and have something to offer for everyone. Whether you want to stroll along the beach, take a trip on the back of a camel or enjoy the uniqueness of the landscape – the dunes in Gran Canaria are a perfect destination for any holiday. In the following, we would like to introduce you to some interesting and useful facts about this natural wonder, so that you are well prepared for your next unforgettable holiday on the dream island.
Origin of the Maspalomas Dunes
There are various theories about the origin of this natural wonder on Gran Canaria. The two best known and most plausible ones are explained in more detail below.
1. Erosion
The first theory assumes that the dunes were formed by erosion. The former rocky coast was grinded into fine sand by the forces of nature, such as strong winds and sea surf, and then washed ashore by the tides and waves. Strong trade winds that blow on the south and east coasts of the island then blew this sand inland until it hit an obstacle and gradually formed into a dune. This way, one dune after another was formed and the dune landscape kept growing. The period of formation is estimated to be about 10,000 years.
2. Tsunami
A second theory is that the dune landscape was formed much later, around 1755, by a tsunami triggered by an earthquake in Portugal. This huge wave flooded the southern part of the island and left behind huge amounts of offshore sand. The typical dune formations were then created by the strong trade winds. This theory was only recently put forward by scientists at the University of Las Palmas, and there are indeed some indicators that support this thesis.
The first time the dunes were mentioned was in 1857, and people who had already visited the island in the 17th and 18th centuries mentioned the lake “El Charco” of Maspalomas, but did not speak of the dunes in any way. This is a strong indication that they were not formed before 1800. Furthermore, it is documented that in 1755, after an earthquake in Lisbon, a tsunami formed which affected not only Lisbon but also Cadiz and whose effects reached as far as Morocco and Gran Canaria.
In 2008, the university’s geographers carried out a test drilling to prove their thesis. In fact, it was possible to prove that there was a strong break in the timeline in the sediments examined, which can only be explained by the fact that the Maspalomas dunes were only formed between 1720 and 1870.
Thus, the theory of the tsunami could not be proven beyond doubt, but it is certain that they could have been formed very quickly and only relatively recently.
Protection of the Dunes
Nowadays, many efforts are made to preserve the dunes as well and as long as possible. They have suffered great damage, especially due to increased tourism in the region. In order to guarantee the continued growth of the dunes, plant bushes have been planted in the upper beach area, where the first small sand mountains can form in the lee when waves and currents transport sand to the coast. When these sand mountains grow larger than the bush, the protruding sand is carried inland by the wind and thus ensures the steady growth and maintenance of the dunes, which can reach a height of up to 4 metres.
The sand of the dunes is often compared to Sahara sand. Since about 60% of the sand of Maspalomas is made up of carbonate sands, formed by the grinding of the remains of marine animals and corals in the sea, and the remaining 40% is made up of the sediments that come from the decomposition of the rocks from the interior of the island, the sand of Maspalomas has a very unique composition and is unique compared to conventional deserts.
Nature Reserve and Brackish Water Lake
Adjacent to the dunes of Maspalomas and only 200 metres from the lighthouse is the no less beautiful nature reserve and biotope reserve La Charca.
This self-contained ecosystem was declared a nature reserve in 1994 and is closed to visitors.
The area is largely made up of the brackish water lake El Charco, which is fed by rain, groundwater and sea water. During heavy rains in winter, water comes down from the mountains and flows through the Barranco de Fataga and tributaries down into the lagoon. In this way, the water level regulates itself naturally. Fish and other organisms can enter from the sea and the salinity also changes. The lagoon is home to many migratory and nesting birds, but also to some endemic species.
From a lookout point you can observe the colourful variety of water birds. The main species here are grey herons, egrets, sanderlings, yellow-legged gulls, coots, moorhens, ospreys and Barbary falcons. So don’t forget your binoculars!
Activities in the Dunes and on the Beach of Maspalomas
The best way to discover the dunes of Maspalomas and the adjacent lagoon on Gran Canaria is to go on a hike. Since the dunes have been under nature protection since 21.05.2020, they may no longer be entered directly. For this purpose, hiking trails with several information boards have been created, which explain the landscape and fauna in more detail and still allow you to cross them. Depending on the route, a hiking trail is 10 to 14 kilometres long and a crossing takes about 2 to 4 hours.
The starting point for the hikes is at the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas, to which a visitor centre with a viewpoint is attached. From here on, the path through the dunes is marked with posts and should not be left. Rangers control the area and a violation can result in a fine. As the dunes are very fragile and have been gradually losing size for years, protective shrubs have also been planted where new dunes can form. The hiking trail leads in meandering lines through the dune area to the end at Maspalomas beach, near the well-known lighthouse.
The way back is either directly along the beach in the direction of Playa del Inglés or directly back through the dunes. As this can take some time, you should plan enough time for your hike.
Swimming and Naturism
Instead of going straight back, the beach of Maspalomas is also an ideal place for swimming. On the wide golden sandy beach you can spread out your beach towel and take a refreshing dip before heading back. The beach is guarded throughout and also has a nudist area in the middle section of the beach between the Maspalomas lighthouse and Playa del Inglés beach.
Camel Riding
If you are not good on foot or are looking for a unique experience, you can also experience the dune landscape on camel. Behind the lake Charco you can book an excursion through the dunes on the back of one of these desert vessels. Visitors are carried on about 70 camels gently swaying through the unique landscape. An unforgettable experience!
Tickets for this unique experience are available here:
