Roque de Agando
| Roque de Agando | |
|---|---|
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| Elevation | 1,250 m (4,101 ft) |
| Prominence | 180 m (591 ft) |
| Location | |
 Roque de Agando
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| Location | La Gomera,  Canary Islands,  Spain |
| Coordinates | 28°06′19″N 17°12′49″W / 28.10528°N 17.21361°WCoordinates: 28°06′19″N 17°12′49″W / 28.10528°N 17.21361°W |
Roque de Agando (commonly called Roque Agando) is a prominent rock formation on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands.[1] It is one of La Gomera's most striking features and is frequently used as a symbol for the island.
Roque Agando is the most prominent of a group of four volcanic plugs called simply Los Roques, near the centre of the island. The others are named Roque Carmona, Roque Ojila, and Roque Zarcita.[2] It rises directly above the main road between the island's capital San Sebastián and Garajonay National Park in the centre, which makes it a popular tourist sight.
The summit is not accessible by foot. During the 20th century, some easy rock-climbing routes were established on the peak, but climbing is now banned there, and hiking is restricted to established paths in its vicinity, as it forms part of a protected area.[3]
Remains of aboriginal Guanche sacrificial shrines have been found on the summit. These were in good condition until the 1980s, when they were looted by a German group making a documentary film.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "Monumento Natural de los Roques: Documento Informativo". Canaries Government. http://www.gobcan.es/cmayot/espaciosnaturales/instrumentos/areadescarga/losroques/DocumentoInformativo.pdf. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
- ^ Tim Hart (2004), La Gomera: A Guide, Colley Books, p. 37, ISBN 0-9547989-0-2
- ^ "Los Roques". summitpost.org. http://www.summitpost.org/los-roques/384380. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
- ^ Documento Informativo, p. 51
