The Cuatro Puertas archaeological ensemble is an essential visit for anyone who is interested in the history of the Canary Islands. As well as its testimonial value, it was a sacred spot for our ancestors, which is why we suggest that you approach it with the greatest respect, not only for its setting but also for its spiritual value.

The ancient Canarians chose this mountain -a geographical landmark in the midst of plains and gentle riverbeds- to erect a whole series of constructions: they worked the volcanic tuff, decorated the walls and with their rudimentary tools sculpted structures that have survived to the present day. We invite you to discover this place by imagining how they lived: drawing on the ceilings, touching the warm red stone, feeling the shelter of the caves, circumventing passageways and cavities. Climb to the top of the mountain and discover its strategic position.

So far yet so near: along this itinerary, the aboriginal past slips into our backpack-carrying present.

Section 1:
Calle Guanche-dirt track.

Climb the main street of the village of Cuatro Puertas right up to its end, an esplanade used as a car park. Then walk along the dirt track rising directly to the gateway into the archaeological site.

Section 2:
Interior route. Climb up to the Cuatro Puertas, Almogarén, Los Papeles cave, Los Pilares cave.

Once inside, turn right to climb up some stone steps and access the Cuatro Puertas complex, a great cavity preceded by a vast artificial platform. The explanatory panels will make you acquainted with the different interpretations. Inside the cave you will discover its grandeur.

If you then move a little closer to the mountaintop, you can see the Almogarén, a circular structure hewn from the rock and usually considered to be a place dedicated to worship.

Go back to the main path and access the southern side of the mountain, following the purpose-built walkway. Enter the Cueva de los Papeles, the Papers’ Cave, to find representations of pubic triangles and vulvas carved on the inner walls and floor bowls.

Move forward a little to reach the troglodyte complex of Los Pilares (the Pillars), so called for the prevalence of the structures that held up the main cave. This ensemble of artificial caves excavated within large natural overlaps are distributed over several levels as well as paths and access passageways also hewn from the rock. They may possibly have operated as habitational and storage caves.

Please approach this area with caution. To return, go back along the same track.

Section 3:

External route towards the trenches and return to starting point.

We now exit via the site’s entrance gate and turn right. There is no track here, so move forward in parallel to the safety fences. They are built between tabaiba and verode shrubs, tunera cacti and balillo plants. Keep to the level: try not to climb or descend too much, always following in a straight line towards the other mountaintop.

To end the route, go back the way you came and return to the dirt track.

Montaña Bermeja, the Vermilion Mountain.

The Montaña de Cuatro Puertas, with its 317-m altitude, is also known by this denomination. This vantage point dominates extensive horizons, which explains why it was chosen by the aboriginal population. The vermilion colour of the (reddish) volcanic stone, together with the composition of this tuff, a grainy and inconsistent material, allowed the ancient Canarians to excavate, in their rudimentary manner (picks made from stones), all the caves and structures that still survive more than 500 years later.

The Cuatro Puertas Sanctuary:

Such is the importance of this site that in 1972 it was listed as a “historic-artistic monument” (as per the Official State Journal of 7 June), which gave it the highest level of protection. This action was justified by the fact that “the site consisted of the large rectangular cave of “Cuatro Puertas” (Four Doors), preceded by a sort of plaza, which formed the “tagoror”, a meeting and assembly place for the indigenous Canarians; the “almogarén”, a sanctuary or sacrificial altar that is one of the rock walls and presents an original alphabetiform carving of crescent moons, of still unknown interpretations”.