The Mirador del Risco de las Peñas is a viewpoint located on the FV-30 road between Betancuria and Pájara in the central mountains of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, at 426 metres above sea level. This guide covers access times, parking, what to see, and practical visitor information.
The lookout is a popular stop on tours of Fuerteventura’s south, which also visit the Mirador de Guise y Ayose, the Ajuy Caves and Sotavento Beach.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Access | Open 24 hours, year-round |
| Admission | Free |
| Address | FV-30 road, between Betancuria and Pájara, Fuerteventura |
| Nearest transport | Car required<br>Betancuria (4 km) | Pájara (8 km) |
| Typical visit duration | 15 to 30 minutes |
Mirador del Risco de las Peñas access and opening hours
The Mirador del Risco de las Peñas is accessible 24 hours a day throughout the year. The viewpoint is located directly beside the FV-30 road with no gates or restricted access times. The site can be visited at any time, though early morning (before 10:00) and late afternoon (after 16:00) offer the best lighting conditions for photography and fewer tour bus crowds.
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Mirador del Risco de las Peñas admission
Entry to the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas is free. There are no admission charges to use the viewpoint or parking area. The viewpoint is maintained by the local municipality as a public viewing area within the Betancuria Rural Park.
Access and parking information were verified from multiple travel sources and last updated in February 2026.
Parking at Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
Free parking is available at the viewpoint. A car park is located immediately adjacent to the viewing platform with space for approximately 15 to 20 cars and tour buses. The car park is unpaved but level and accessible to standard two-wheel-drive vehicles. During peak tourist season (November to March), the car park can fill when multiple tour buses arrive between 10:00 and 15:00.
How to get to the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
The Mirador del Risco de las Peñas is located on the FV-30 road, approximately 4 kilometres south of Betancuria and 8 kilometres north of Pájara. The viewpoint is clearly visible from the road. Visitors travelling from Puerto del Rosario (approximately 28 kilometres east) should follow the FV-30 through Betancuria. The journey takes approximately 35 to 40 minutes by car.
From the southern resorts (Costa Calma, Morro Jable), follow signs to Pájara, then continue north on the FV-30 towards Betancuria. The viewpoint is on the left side when travelling from Pájara towards Betancuria. The FV-30 is a narrow, winding mountain road with white-painted boundary stones. The road is well-maintained but requires careful driving, particularly around hairpin bends.
Public transport does not serve the viewpoint. Organised day tours from Corralejo, Costa Calma, and other resort areas typically include stops at the mirador as part of island tours featuring Betancuria, Ajuy Caves, and other central mountain attractions.
How long to spend at the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
Most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes at the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas. The walk from the car park to the viewing platform takes approximately 30 seconds. The main viewing platform provides 360-degree panoramic views that can be appreciated in 10 to 15 minutes. Visitors wishing to walk along the mountain ridge for additional viewpoints or to observe wildlife should allow 30 to 45 minutes. The site has no facilities beyond the viewing platform and car park.
Accessibility at the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
The main viewing platform is accessible from the car park via a short, flat path suitable for most visitors. The viewing area has paved sections, though some areas feature loose gravel and uneven ground. No designated wheelchair-accessible paths lead to alternative viewpoints along the mountain ridge. These paths involve uneven terrain, exposed rock, and steep drops.
The viewpoint is exposed to strong winds. Railings are not present along all viewing areas, particularly at the edges of the platform and along ridge walks. Caution is required, especially when walking with children or in windy conditions.
What to see at the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
The viewpoint provides panoramic views across the Barranco de las Peñitas (canyon), the Valle de los Granadillos (valley), and the surrounding volcanic mountain landscape. The Presa de las Peñitas reservoir is visible in the valley floor below the viewpoint. Built during the 1950s as part of agricultural development projects, the reservoir has largely silted up and now functions as a wetland habitat for migratory birds rather than a water source.
The geological formation known as the Risco de las Peñas rises directly in front of the viewpoint. This cliff face demonstrates the collapsed remains of an ancient volcano. The exposed rock layers show volcanic deposits from different eruption periods, with darker basalt layers alternating with lighter sedimentary deposits. The barren, eroded landscape reveals the geological history of Fuerteventura’s volcanic formation over millions of years.
Looking south along the FV-30 road, the winding mountain road with white-painted boundary stones creates a distinctive visual feature. The road ascends towards the Mirador de Fenduca viewpoint at the municipal boundary between Betancuria and Pájara. A white-painted symbolic stone gateway marks this boundary point, visible from the Mirador del Risco de las Peñas.
The viewpoint is inhabited by Barbary ground squirrels (Atlantoxerus getulus) and ravens (Corvus corax). The squirrels were introduced to Fuerteventura in 1965 and have established populations in mountainous areas. Feeding wildlife is prohibited and causes harm to the animals by making them dependent on human food and changing their natural behaviours. Signs at the viewpoint remind visitors not to feed the squirrels or ravens. Wild goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) occasionally appear on the surrounding slopes.
Information panels at the viewpoint explain the geological formation of the area, the history of the Presa de las Peñitas, and the importance of water management on Fuerteventura. The panels are written in Spanish and English.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Weather protection | Bring warm layers regardless of season. Wind speeds at 426 metres elevation are significantly higher than at sea level. Temperatures can be 5-8°C cooler than coastal areas. |
| Photography | Visit in early morning for best light on the eastern-facing valley. Avoid midday when harsh overhead light reduces landscape definition. Late afternoon provides backlighting against the setting sun. |
| Wildlife observation | Do not feed squirrels or ravens. Feeding is prohibited and harms wildlife. Observe from a distance and do not encourage animals to approach. |
| Safety | Stay on marked paths. The ridge edges have steep drops with no barriers. Keep children under close supervision. |
| Combined visits | The mirador is ideally combined with visits to Betancuria (4 km), Ajuy Caves (15 km), and the Ermita de la Peña chapel, all accessible along the same route. |
Frequently asked questions about Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Mirador del Risco de las Peñas suitable for children? | Yes, though close supervision is required due to steep drops and lack of barriers at viewing points. The main platform is safe for families. |
| Do you need to book in advance for Mirador del Risco de las Peñas? | No. The viewpoint is freely accessible without booking or tickets. |
| Is Mirador del Risco de las Peñas open on Sundays? | Yes. The viewpoint is accessible every day of the year. |
| Can you see the ocean from Mirador del Risco de las Peñas? | Yes. Clear days provide views to the Atlantic Ocean on the western coast, though the primary views are of the inland valley and mountains. |
| Is it necessary to have a car to visit Mirador del Risco de las Peñas? | Yes. Public transport does not serve the viewpoint. Visitors require a hire car or organised tour. |
Things to do near Mirador del Risco de las Peñas
Betancuria is located approximately 4 kilometres north of the viewpoint. Founded in 1404, Betancuria was the original capital of Fuerteventura until 1834. The whitewashed village features the Church of Santa María, consecrated in the 15th century and considered the oldest church in the Canary Islands. The Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum displays artefacts relating to the island’s pre-Hispanic Majorero inhabitants. The village has restaurants, cafés, and craft shops.
The Ajuy Caves are located approximately 15 kilometres west of the viewpoint. The Cuevas de Ajuy are sea caves carved into volcanic cliffs by wave erosion. A 15 to 20-minute coastal walk from Ajuy village leads to the caves through dramatic cliff scenery. The geological formations date to approximately 100 million years ago, making them the oldest exposed rocks in the Canary Islands. The site was declared a Natural Monument in 1994. Ajuy village has a black sand beach, seafood restaurants, and free parking.
The Ermita de la Peña (Chapel of Our Lady of the Rock) is located approximately 2 kilometres from the viewpoint along the FV-30 towards Vega de Río Palmas. The small chapel is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Barranco de las Peñitas. The chapel dates from the 17th century and houses a statue of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of Fuerteventura. A pilgrimage to the chapel takes place annually on the third Saturday of September.
The Mirador Morro Velosa is located approximately 10 kilometres north of Betancuria. The viewpoint was designed by César Manrique and features a circular building housing a visitor centre explaining the geology, flora, and fauna of Fuerteventura. The viewing platform provides 360-degree panoramas across central Fuerteventura.
