Perhaps the best island in the Canary archipelago to play archeologist, Gran Canaria boasts some incredibly preserved aboriginal sites.
Cuatro Puertas, or Four Doors, is a complex of caves dug into the old volcanic cone Mount Bermeja by hand five hundred years ago.
The hill standing 1,500 feet outside Telde village is made up of tufa rock, its crumbling composition made it possible to carve out these caves, alleyways, and ceremonial sites with stone picks.
This free site is located in the east of the island just ten minutes off the main road, there is a moderately easy path, no longer than a mile roundtrip, which explores the linked cave system.
The use of the namesake cave Cueva de Cuatro Puertas is thought to be religious, but truly unknown – its unique and artistic design make it the most dramatic in the complex.
It is the first cavity along the path, enter the doors to gain a view to the north of the island.
An almogarén is the next interesting sight, a circular structure cut into the rock used in ritualistic worship. Here on the mountain high priests called faycanes would pour milk into the cavity as an offering to the gods.
Continuing on Cueva de Los Papeles is a cave that has been transformed by local shepherds with cemented floors and whitewashed walls, used until the late 1900s.
At the end of the path is Cueva de Los Pilares, the largest settlement on the hill facing the south bathed in the suns rays, yet protected from harsh elements and ideal for living in.
Further still, past where you think the path may end is the last of the caves, La Audiencia in its precarious position it is difficult to reach thus easier to defend.
Regardless of interest in history, this is simply a beautiful place to visit in for the scenery alone.
Wildlife is abundant, you may see birds of prey scanning the sky or hear the ruminating of pigeons in the caves.
Amongst the cactus flora, a hummingbird moth fluttered from flower to flower.
Those who love history, nature, and the eerie atmosphere of an abandoned civilization will be entranced by the site. No facilities are present, and the path was relatively quiet off the radar of most tourists.