Ecanfraga (biggish mountain next to Villaverde)

[tamara_k]

Did anybody ever went to the _very_ top of Ecanfraga, big red mountain the the left from Villaverde, as you are coming from Corralejo? I tried, and didn't succeed - http://tamara-kulikova.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/montana-de-ecanfraga-take-two.html . If anybody knows for sure that there is a way to the top safe enough to do it on my own, I will have another go.

If not, I think I will try other mountains

Here is the route I took (best I can describe it)

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207923122280474111770.0004d3b634c5f2d149aaf&msa=0&ll=28.627869,-13.893628&spn=0.017139,0.033023

[Magoo]

Nice photos. The last bit looks doable, but not on your Jack Jones. Coming back down might be a bit of a bum nipper

[tamara_k]

The last bit looks doable, but not on your Jack Jones

exactly what I thought.

the was a path on the "other" side, but don't know if that one goes to the very top either, plus it looked like there are a lot more loose stones there

[Books Cards & Things Corralejo]

Likewise, i have been up to the plateau and then there is a path that leads to the steeper climb (overlooking La Oliva) but then the steeper part looks loose and perhaps dangerous on your own. Also have you caught the ferry to Lanzarote then to Femes  and walked Hacha Grande which overlooks Playa Blanca, the last part again looks a little risky on your own.

[colinblue]

Here's my take on walking/climbing the mountains of the island having been up most of them in the north and centre of the island. The main danger is loose rocks underfoot, not so much on the ascent but on the descent. Now the higher ones such as Escanfraga, Muda and Aceituna all have rocky peaks, although there are at times steep drops to the side or behind, the security of bedrock makes it the safest part of the climb. It is similar to walking up rugged steps. Had you proceeded on the planned route up Escanfraga you would have found only solid rock and no loose stones. Halfway up from where it seems you stopped, you would have come to a rock wall but it is easily skirted. It fact the final climb to the top has few steep drops unlike some of the others. The secret of being safe on all the mountains is to hunt out the bedrock and never admire the scenery without stopping and planting your feet.
Today I went up Fronton by La Oliva. This has a rocky peak and easily the safest part of the climb was around the peak. You can find much information about walking and climbing the mountains of the island on Geocaching.com. (but don't take any notice of the suggested route up Escanfraga).

[tamara_k]

Thanks, John! No, I haven't walked Hacha Grande yet - sounds like a good idea to try it one day, maybe not alone though

Colin, thank you very much, I will look at that site. But as far as Escanfraga is concerned, I understand that you personally would just do the same route I took and then go on up, right? 

Will make sure I never take my camera out of the backpack while on the move

[colinblue]

Yes Tamara, just carry on. The first time up Escanfraga, apart from going straight up to the plateau from near your start point via a gully, I followed your route to the peak. The second time I followed the geocaching route which is from the other end of the mountain and misses out the plateau completely. It's very steep and not as enjoyable although quicker. Your route is safer. I like mountains where the gradients vary and it's not a direct route upwards.
I think once you have tried climbing rocks like the ones in your picture of the approach to the peak you will appreciate that taking care and having solid rock under your feet is safer than treading on rocks.

[tamara_k]

thank you once again

[Magoo]

Tamara. What is the legal aspects of climbing mountains in Fuerty? Are the footpaths public, or just unofficial tracks across private land?

[tamara_k]

Tamara. What is the legal aspects of climbing mountains in Fuerty? Are the footpaths public, or just unofficial tracks across private land?

I don't know the general answer to this, maybe Colin will be able to answer (?).  I would also like to know for sure what  the situation is.

However, I do know that some footpaths are completely official, for example trans-fuerte GR 131 - it is signposted and there are markers and color strips signs along the path and the path itself is even partially paved (i.e. between Bayuyo and Calderon Hondo).
There is an official footpath up the Calderon Hondo itself (although it's not a climb really). There are some more official footpaths in the mountains around Betancuria.

As to the non-signposted paths, I always tend to assume that what is not forbidden is allowed. If I see a wall, I don't jump over; if I see a path with cairns along it, I assume it's good to go.

So far I had no problems with this approach, but that might be just luck.

UPD: oh yeah, here you can find some downloadable info on "official walks" http://visitfuerteventura.es/downloads-descargas/
For example, this is a (very simplified) map of footpaths, bearing the sign of Cabildo, it seems, so those are definitely official ones http://visitfuerteventura.es/downloads-descargas/

[Magoo]

Tamara. What is the legal aspects of climbing mountains in Fuerty? Are the footpaths public, or just unofficial tracks across private land?

If I see a path with cairns along it, I assume it's good to go.

Or it could mean thaat a German has passed that way, they seem to have a thing for piles of stones 

Anyway, thanks for the info

[colinblue]

I also have no idea who owns most of the land on Fuerte, whoever it is they don't do much with it. I have been walking Fuerte for two years. When I park up away from the towns, invariably I have a 360 degree option of which direction to take. I have never been approached and stopped by anyone from walking where I choose. There are very few walls or fences to get in the way.
Curiosly if you climb Aceituna there is a sturdy wire fence that runs right along the ridge all the way to the top of this near 700 metre peak. There are sturdy walls on the malpais of Arena sorrounding a hunting area but even these have a sign and a hole in the wall allowing access. And I have also encountered fences high up near the embalse of Los Molinos and beyond the cross near the big statues of Betancuria. That's about the only hurdles I've come across.
Apart from the obvious walls of residential property and goat farms I think most of the walls and fences on the island fell into disrepair long ago. Those that I have mentioned seem merely, I think, to be there to limit the movement of nomad goats. You meet the goats but I've never met a farmer.
There are aloe and yucca fields especially around Villaverde which have obviously been abandoned long ago.