Do you remember when it was open for public to hike to this viewpoint point ?
Have you been there? If you have pics please share, what a stunning view 📸
Hotel chain Lopesan presented plans to reopen the area with organized agricultural and archeology tourism, but it is still unknown when this will happen. Read below for more information.
Hotel chain Lopesan saves farmland in Mogan according to the news paper Canarias 7 and Canariajourmalen back when the controversy started.
This takes place on the plateau between Mogán Valley and Veneguera Valley and in Veneguera Valley itself.
A visible proof in 2017 showed that there is actually agricultural activity, is that there are 2000 avocado trees and banana plantation in the area.
When this very popular hike track was closed (and still is in 2023) tourists were shocked and there was a lot of writing in social media and petition was held and they are still working
Veneguera is a symbol of opposition to tourism development in Gran Canaria after plans for a huge development in the 1980s were stopped by the population, who mobilized forces.
At that time, many feared that there would be a new Puerto Rico in the same municipality, a tourist machine where hotels and tourist facilities are totally dominant.
In 2014, Lopesan took over the land areas, 2800 hectares, which were acquired in connection with the planned tourism development, from Banco Santander.
Since then, the company has worked to cultivate the agricultural land again.
The area cultivated in the valley has increased from 29 to 70 hectares, and it continues to increase, writes Canarias 7.
On an eight-hectare area in the valley, a kind of subtropical garden with fruit trees has been planted, where it is also experimented with species that are not cultivated in the Canary Islands before.
1,176,000 kilos of fruit and vegetables were grown in Veneguera in 2020. 779,559 kilos of this were bananas. A total of 64 species are cultivated.
What is grown in Veneguera will cover the needs of all Lopesans hotels.
Veneguera belongs to the natural park Parque Rural del Nublo, and is a protector for tourism development.
There has been a conflict between groups of residents and tourists on the one hand, and Lopesan on the other, that a private road across the mountain plateau between Puerto de Mogán and Veneguera was closed off with gates and fences.
The road and the area were very popular with hikers.
Lopesan has defended itself by saying that it must be shut down for safety reasons while construction work is in progress in connection with the establishment of agriculture and irrigation systems.
"The access road over to Veneguera starts from an existing roundabout on Avenida del Marinero in Lomo Quibre in Puerto de Mogan, close to a Radisson Blu hotel. That's where the gate is.
In roughly the same place, there used to be, for several decades until Lopesan took over the area, a locked barrier and a sign stating that it was forbidden for people to enter the area.
At the top of the steep climb, where the so-called zig-zag road runs, there was a mesh gate with a new no-entry sign.
The gate was occasionally closed, but more often it was open, and when it was closed, someone had usually made an opening in the netting that you could get through." writes Canarijournalen
Photo: CanariJournalen
The company has presented plans to reopen the area with organized agricultural and archeology tourism, but it is still unknown when this will happen.
WHAT IS YOUR OPPINION ?
Member of lovgemogan.com group on Facebook Chris Hobbs writes :
Puerto Mogan is a lovely place to visit and stay. It has charm and character. It also has heritage and history. With little say or option in 1981, the sleepy fishing village was turned into a building site as the project of creating the harbor area as we know it today began work. The work tool 3 years to complete. It brought business and prosperity to some but also forced out many local residents who nearly all sold out to the holiday industry. Progress for some. Devastating for others. Another part of Mogan history and heritage is falling to the same fate. Ancient trails and footpaths are being closed and lost. Rightful and lawful access being denied by large companies who ignore the law and control the politics. One such example is the ancient footpath from Puerto Mogan to Veneguera. Now closed for public access by a large company called Lopesan. The now closed ancient trail was until a few years ago walked by many locals and tourists. The local Council, who have overall responsibility, collude with Lopesan who want to build another hotel on the land above the school. Mutual benefit they call it. Lopesan is powerful and wealthy. People do not speak against the Company. It employs many people either through the tourist industry, it’s construction business or it’s agricultural business. The Company provides for many families on the island. But they are wrong to close the ancient trail and it appears there is little that can be done to stop this. They call it progress because more and more people want to visit and stay in lovely resort of Puerto Mogan and who can blame them. But maybe with people power, the heritage footpath could be saved for future generations to enjoy and not just left in the hands of developers to destroy. Checkout below and see what is at risk. May be Lopesan will respect heritage and public opinion. To reopen and protect the trail would cost them nothing. Thank you - read more by press button :
The photo below is of Emma born in Mogan in 2009 - a Moganera proud looking over the village after she climbed to see this beautiful view. Remember that you can have an almost stunning view from the viewpoint above the old town. The stairs and the view point is all refurbished during covid. The start of the way up to the viewpoint is at stairs by the postoffice. Follow the signs.
Another possibility for view and a walk is to walk the old road to Taurito (GC-500) from Puerto de Mogan as it is in this time, also closed to car traffic due to a landslide so that people can walk up the mountainside on the other side of the valley to enjoy an equally great view
6 years old and enjoying the mos stunning view - really miss this
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