If you’re looking for an easy hike with stunning scenery, Barranco & Arco de las Peñitas Hike is a great choice. Located near Betancuria and away from tourist crowds, it’s mostly flat with a few stairs leading to the small white Ermita de la Peña chapel. From the chapel, you can keep hiking up the mountain to reach the beautiful, famous Arco de las Peñitas arc.
There are two ways to reach the chapel: from the north, starting at Vega de Rio Palmas, or from the south, by turning right off the main road to Ajuy. I’ll explain both routes.
The northern route starts in Vega de Rio Palmas, just a few kilometers south of Betancuria, and leads you through a scenic valley. After about 20 minutes of easy hiking, you’ll arrive at the chapel, surrounded by rugged mountains and a narrow, ancient ravine. You might even spot a small lake with a dam on the left during wetter winters.
Once you reach the chapel, you’ll find fascinating rock formations and natural ponds. You can explore the area below the chapel, but sturdy shoes and good balance are needed, as there’s no official trail down.
The well-marked trail continues behind the chapel along the mountain slope. You can turn left toward the southern parking area or right to follow the slope and eventually reach the famous Arco de las Peñitas.
If you choose the more adventurous route to Arco, keep right, close to the mountain (as marked in the below photo), rather than left toward the open valley. The left side near the rock formation hiding the arc is slippery and exposed. The arc, marked with a green square in the photo, is hidden and you’ll only see it when you’re right there. If you follow the trail behind the chapel, it’s straightforward. The view in the photo will appear about 100 meters past the chapel, as you come around the slope.
Southern approach: The second option is to park in the southern part of the barranco (parking location) and approach the chapel from there. With this route, you’ll see the southern section first but might miss the northern part of the trail, which is also worth exploring.
In the photo below, you can see the approach from the southern parking area. Unlike the easy northern trail, the southern route requires more caution, so it’s not ideal for a family hike or if you’re uneasy on slippery terrain. The trail vanishes just below the chapel; to explore more, you’ll have to continue on the rocks, so good shoes and some balance are required. Be mindful to be respectful to nature and to take only photos and leave only footprints! However, you can start from the south, enjoy the impressive scenery, and turn back if you don’t feel comfortable.
If you just want to visit the Ermita de la Peña chapel, the quickest route is from the southern parking. Follow the trail toward Arco (see instructions below), then turn right toward the chapel. The trail is well-marked, and you’ll spot the chapel from a distance.
NOTE IF YOU’RE RENTING A CAR: You’ll have a short part of a dirt road to get to the southern parking by car.
The southern part of Barranco de las Peñitas
How to get to Arco de las Peñitas – southern approach
You can also reach the arc from the southern parking. This route is shorter and quicker, but you’ll miss the scenic northern part of Barranco de las Peñitas, which is well worth seeing. At the parking area, you’ll see two trails: one leads to the Ermita de la Peña chapel, and the other (pictured below) goes straight up to the arc. If you’re heading to the arc, follow this trail, and when you reach the rock formation (as shown above), stay to the right as described.
Trail to Arco de las Peñitas from the southern parking
The hiking trail fades in and out, but as long as you keep to the right, you should be fine. The trickiest section is just before the arc, where rocky walls surround you, and the rocks may look impossible to climb – but don’t give up! It’s easier than it seems. You can see this part in the photo below; with proper shoes and some basic climbing skills, it shouldn’t be a problem. The arc is hidden just about 20 meters further up to the left.
When you reach the arc, take a few extra minutes to view it from behind – it’s worth the effort, and few people go this far. Continue for about 3-5 minutes, keeping to the right on the same trail, to see the arc from above with a stunning view of the valley.
The arc hike is not difficult, but some places will require easy climbing and some basic fitness. If you feel up to the challenge, Arco de las Peñitas is one of Fuerteventura’s must-sees.
