Roque Cinchado

Roque Cinchado is one of the most unique and emblematic rock formations on the island of Tenerife. Due to its curious tree-like shape, the formation is also known as the Finger of God or Stone Tree. The rock has defied gravity for thousands of years and is one of the most photographed places in Teide National Park. It is a formation of volcanic origin, it belongs to an alignment of large rock formations, remains of the old summit of the island, known as Roques de García. El Roque is quite different from the rest of the Canarian rocks and from the Roques de García themselves that are next to it, which has led it to be considered a distinctive and unique natural monument since time immemorial. El Roque was formed by successive layers of volcanic material. The Roque Cinchado is also popularly called the Stone Tree. His patrimonial fame made his image appear on thousand pesetas bills with Teide in the background. Cinchado means tightened and derives from the curious shape and extremely narrow base of the rock formation that looks as though it was tightened by a belt. Many experts believe that over time the formation will eventually collapse due to erosion at the base.