Location and surroundings
Roque Nublo is a peak in Spain, on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, and it lies in the municipality of Tejeda. In the island hierarchy it belongs to Mid Atlantic Islands > Macaronesia > Canary Islands > Gran Canaria. At 1,813 m it is the 5th highest of the 399 named peaks in Gran Canaria. The summit area is part of the Monumento Natural del Roque Nublo, within a landscape of pine-covered slopes, rocky ground and open highland terrain.
Neighbouring peaks
- El Montañón (peak), 1,762 m, 1.8 km SE
- Punton de la Agujereada (peak), 1,809 m, 3.2 km SE
- Morro de la Salvia (peak), 1,806 m, 3.4 km E
- Campanario (peak), 1,917 m, 3.7 km SE
- Pico de las Nieves (peak), 1,950 m, 4.1 km E
- Moriscos (peak), 1,772 m, 5.3 km N
- Roque Redondo (peak), 1,921 m, 5.4 km E
- Montana de los Bizcochos (peak), 1,842 m, 6.1 km E
The nearest higher peak is Campanario, 3.7 km to the SE. Roque Nublo sits among a cluster of high summits, but it is lower than the main eastern ridge points and higher than several nearby tops to the north and southeast.
The view from the summit
From the summit area, the highest peaks within 25 km include Cruz del Saucillo (1,803 m, 6.1 km E), La Rana (1,773 m, 0.1 km S), Montanon Bajo (1,753 m, 6.8 km E), Montana del Anden del Toro (1,736 m, 3.0 km NE), Monte Constantino (1,710 m, 4.7 km N) and Montanon Negro (1,668 m, 6.6 km N). The summit looks over a compact high mountain core rather than a long distant skyline.
The range
Roque Nublo belongs to the Gran Canaria range unit in the wider chain Mid Atlantic Islands > Macaronesia > Canary Islands > Gran Canaria. The island’s highest peak is Pico de las Nieves at 1,950 m, about 4 km E of Roque Nublo. Gran Canaria has 399 named peaks, and Roque Nublo ranks 5th by elevation among them. The mountain is part of the island’s central volcanic highlands, where erosion has left isolated rock forms above the surrounding slopes.
Climbing routes
The easier of the two listed climbs is West sinister, graded TD on the alpine scale, with free climbing 6b and usually a 1 day outing. The other route, Voie des Allemands, is also TD, with engagement I and free climbing 6b+, usually in 1 day. These are serious rock climbs rather than ordinary hikes, and the summit rock is for climbers only. The line names are kept as used in the climbing record.
Access and starting points
The usual approach is from the Tejeda side, with the mountain rising above the central highlands of Gran Canaria. In the area around the summit there is a viewpoint 20 m SW, Cueva de Roque Nublo (cave) 450 m SE, and Cruz de Timagada (wayside cross) 890 m NW. The nearest settlement is Tejeda, 2.7 km N. Public transport stops include Roque Nublo bus stop 1.2 km SE and La Culata bus stop 1.4 km NE. There are 12 car parks within 2 km, the nearest 730 m NW.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020, adjusted to summit height. The warmest month at the summit is October, at about 15 °C, and the coldest is April, at about 10 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month. The surrounding area gets about 150 mm of precipitation a year, with the wettest month in December at about 30 mm and the driest in June at about 0 mm. Expect dry air, strong sun and occasional wind on the exposed rock.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays above freezing all year, Roque Nublo can be visited in any season, but the drier months are the most comfortable for walking and climbing. The long dry period and low annual rainfall mean that summer and early autumn are usually the easiest times for stable conditions, while winter can bring more cloud and occasional wet weather. On the exposed summit, wind and sun are often more important than temperature alone, so early starts and light layers help.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes around Roque Nublo are dominated by Canary Island pine forest, while the summit area itself is rocky and sparsely vegetated. Typical plants here include sage, broom, spurge and other hardy highland species, with several endemics on Gran Canaria. Birds recorded in the area include local forms of linnet, shrike, wagtail and Canary Island blue tit, and reptiles include skinks. The summit lies in the Monumento Natural del Roque Nublo, which protects the volcanic landform and its surroundings.
Guides and organised ascents
For the climbing routes on the summit rock, a certified guide is sensible unless you already climb at the required standard and know the local access rules. In Spain, the national guide association is the Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM), an IFMGA/UIAGM member, and the national federation is the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing (FEDME). One established guiding company working in Spain’s mountains is Spanish Highs in Granada (Sierra Nevada). Guided outings usually depend on route difficulty, group size, days out, and any equipment or logistics needed.
Safety and preparation
Roque Nublo is a high, exposed volcanic peak with rock terrain, sun, wind and steep ground near the summit. Good footwear, water, sun protection and a clear plan are important even for the walking approach. The climbing lines are much more demanding and require solid rock-climbing experience. For mountain emergencies in Spain, call 112; it is the single emergency number and dispatches mountain rescue. Carry a charged phone, download maps before setting out, and be ready for changing weather on the open high ground.
History and name
The name Roque Nublo means roughly Clouded Rock or Cloud Rock, and the mountain is also known as Wolkenfels and Роке Нубло. It is a volcanic monolith and one of the emblematic landmarks of Gran Canaria. The summit rock is the remnant of an older volcanic system, left standing as erosion removed the softer surrounding material. The mountain has long had cultural importance on the island and is closely tied to local identity.
Interesting facts
Roque Nublo is the 5th highest of Gran Canaria’s 399 named peaks, and its nearest higher neighbour is Campanario at 1,917 m. The island high point, Pico de las Nieves, lies only about 4 km away to the east. The summit rock rises about 65 m above the surrounding plateau, which makes it a clear landmark even though it is not the island’s highest summit. The mountain sits in the interior highlands rather than on the coast, within a protected volcanic landscape.
FAQ
How high is Roque Nublo? It rises to 1,813 m above sea level.
Where is Roque Nublo? It is on Gran Canaria in Spain, in the Canary Islands, within the municipality of Tejeda.
What range does it belong to? It is part of Mid Atlantic Islands > Macaronesia > Canary Islands > Gran Canaria.
What peaks are nearby? The closest listed peaks include El Montañón, Punton de la Agujereada, Morro de la Salvia, Campanario and Pico de las Nieves, with Campanario the nearest higher peak.
How hard is it to climb Roque Nublo? The easiest listed route is West sinister, graded TD with free climbing 6b. Voie des Allemands is also TD and harder at 6b+.
Is there water on the way to Roque Nublo? The summit area is dry and exposed, so carry your own supply; for a day outing, 1.5–3 litres is sensible depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Roque Nublo? Yes: a shelter is mapped 470 m SE of the top. A drinking water point is mapped 900 m NW.
How long does it take to walk up? From the Roque Nublo bus stop, the rough walking time is 35–50 minutes. From Tejeda, it is about 1.5–2.5 hours.
Will my phone work there? There are 14 mapped communication masts within 10 km, the nearest about 4.7 km E. On open ground a signal is likely, but it can fail in hollows and behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.