The highest point on Fuerteventura rises directly from the beach splitting the Jandia Peninsula in half – one side dotted in resorts the other entirely remote. Hiking to the strikingly beautiful summit of Pico de la Zarza allows you to see the contrast from above, lovingly referred to as the donkey’s ear.
Find the trailhead on an elevated ridge in the outskirts of town, down at the end of Calle Sancho Panza by a water treatment plant, use the GPS coordinates: 28.058516, -14.328365 because there is no GoogleMaps entry as of yet.
This is a great morning for the seasoned hiker and a phenomenal path for those looking to challenge themselves. The trail is 8.6 miles roundtrip gaining 2647 feet of elevation within the Jandia Natural Reserve.
It is best to start your hike as early as possible, frequently the summit is clouded in the afternoon obscuring views. Almost all the way up to the summit you will follow a dull gravel road, broad and unmistakably simple to follow.
Many goats graze along the side of the path comfortably in the cool mountain air, there is more vegetation at this altitude because of the humidity from the sea clouds.
Sporadic and sometimes faded signage along the trail enlightens you to how much more mileage you have left.
Just don’t forget to turn around and look at how far you’ve come every so often, because the view is sensational.
As the summit draws near you will pass through a gated fence which keeps the goats from munching on the vegetation.
The Canary Island daisy, scientific name Asteriscus sericeus, is endemic to the island of Fuerteventura and grows plentifully at the summit cone.
Let its lovely yellow blossoms distract you from the final ascent, that narrows and zigzags up the final push.
A trig point marks the summit, give it a slap and then decide where to admire first.
Facing south, back where you came from are views into the town of Jandia, far down in the valley below.
The north facing views are of remote Cofete Beach another incredible adventure.
My favorite of all is the view out to the west which overlooks the ridge of the mountain culminating to the tip of Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria out in the distance on a clear day.
The summit is relatively spacious with various nooks and crannies to sit and have some water and a snack with a view, often with a companion raven.
Note that it can be very windy and cold even up at this elevation, so bringing a jacket is always recommended. For me, the hike down is even more lovely because the endless views unfold in front of you all the way back down to the trailhead.
Yes this is so true! I tend to grunt my way to the end of a mountain hike, so I enjoy the little details so much more on the return.
Beautiful views. We have often found the vistas on the way back are totally different from the ones we had moving forward — as though we were in a different place.