A volcanic eruption 4.5 million years ago created one of the biggest crags in the world, a sacred place of ancient worship.
The Rock in the Clouds stands 220 feet tall, a monolith atop a plateau surrounded by staggering beauty.
With an altitude of 5,948 ft Roque Nublo is the seconded tallest point in Gran Canaria, but surely the most well known icon on the island.
The Hike:
From the road the hike to the base of Roque Nublo is just under one mile (2 miles RT) and gains 150 feet.
The landscape is flowing with Canary pines, just a fragment of the grove which once covered the island before it was ravished by deforestation.
On you way up pass the pointing finger Roque de El Fraile, another impressive monument. Massive rocks rise beside you as you gain elevation, opening with a window to the sky.
Shaped by the whipping wind, a speckling of pockets mar wind carved caves.
When you reach the summit plateau the towering figure appear, shadowed by it’s smaller sibling Roque de la Rana. These rocks were formed by burning clouds, the same that destroyed Pompeii. Volcanic plugs formed of red basalt hold up well agains the erosion of time. 
From the summit the panoramic views throughout the ravine are unparalleled.
You can see all the way out to Mount Teide on the neighboring island of Tenerife on a blue sky day.
Good to know:
+Get to parking lot with the GoogleMaps location: Aparcamiento de la Degollada de La Goleta along the incredible hair-pin mountain road GC-600 as early as you can to secure a spot. The small pull off gets hectic later on nice days.
+Have some cash on hand to buy marzipan from the stand at the trailhead made from the local almond trees, among other snacks.
+Bring a layer to keep warm at this high altitude.