Spain - Walking in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is known for its long beaches suitable for beach holidays. But its hinterland of small villages, beautiful landscapes and high mountains also provide the perfect setting for a walking holiday in Gran Canaria. We have rounded up the island's best hiking experiences for you. In the east you will discover an ancient volcanic crater, in the south you will walk by ruins with a historical flavor, and in the northwest you will find green and lush gorges with exquisite vegetation. The central plateau also boasts iconic sights such as Roque Nublo and, not least, the island's highest peak: Pico de Las Nieves - 1,949 meters above sea level - from where the views are nothing short of breathtaking.
This walking holiday is definitely our favorite way to experience Gran Canaria.
About the route
The route takes you along small paved roads, gravel roads, forest and mountain paths. There are some sections where you need to be extra careful when it is wet, and parts of the walks are steeply uphill and downhill, requiring sure footing.
Highlights
- The ancient volcanic craters Caldera de Bandama and Caldera de Tejeda
- The iconic monoliths Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo
- The peak of Gran Canaria: Pico de las Nieves (1,949m)
- The historic area with the ruins of Fortelaza de Tirajana
- The beautiful and very different gorges of Barranco de Agaete and Garranco de Azuaja
Great things about this tour
Photo gallery from the tour
Here you can see pictures of the beautiful landscapes of Gran Canaria.
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Pick-up on arrival at LPA Airport and transfer to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Depending on the time of arrival, there will be time to explore Las Palmas.
You will spend the night in Las Palmas.
Airport transfers are included
The first walk of the tour goes to the ancient volcanic crater Caldera de Bandama. It is located not far from Las Palmas de
Gran Canaria and is about 4,000 years old. The bottom of the crater contains volcanic ash of different colors and some botanical species that originated here. Among them is an endemic shrub that is not found anywhere else called Dama de Bandama (Lady of Bandama).
The area near the crater is surrounded by vineyards and wineries and is one of the most important wine-growing areas on the island.
The hike starts at the crater rim and goes down to the bottom of the crater (Caldera). You will walk through old caves and meet some abandoned houses before hiking back up to the starting point.
You will spend the night in Las Palmas.
There will be a short transfer included to and from today's hike.
The day starts with a transfer to Fontanales (approx. 800 m.a.s.l.) from where you hike along GR 131 to Tejeda.
It is a very beautiful and picturesque hike through the mountains in the interior of the island, in the direction of Tejeda.
The GR 131 passes through a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains and vegetation with picturesque villages such as Artenara.
It then climbs up to the ridge of the Caldera de Tejeda (a volcanic depression about 10km in diameter), from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the iconic monoliths (very large rocks) Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga before reaching Tejeda.
Tejeda is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Located in the heart of Gran Canaria's central mountainous area with magnificent views of the rugged landscape. The town is also known for its almond trees that bloom white and pink in early February. The almonds can be enjoyed in many of the village's cakes and desserts.
You will spend the night in Cruz de Tejeda.
The transfer to Fontanales is included.
A short bus ride takes you from Tejeda to Cruz de Tejeda after the walk - ticket included.
A short transfer to San Bartolemé de Tirajana from where you will walk along the Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria until you reach Degollada de Cruz Grande, a stunning viewpoint stretching out over the Caldera de Tirajana on one side and the Pilancones Natural Park on the other.
The ascent continues to the Caideros Altos ridge, where the volcanic landscape is adorned with low vegetation peculiar to the area.
You turn off the Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria after Degollada de Los Hornos and walk the final stretch up to Pico de Las Nives at 1,949 meters. On the way up you can enjoy stunning views of the nearby rock formations of Ventana del Nublo, as well as the volcano Pido del Teide on neighboring Tenerife. You start the hike among almond and olive trees, and as you get higher up the landscape changes to pine trees and rugged cliff tops. Near the top, a transfer will pick you up again.
You spend the night in Cruz de Tejeda.
The short transfer to and from today's hike is included.
A transfer takes you to the south-eastern part of the island, starting in the lance town of Santa Lucia de Tirajana.
The path runs alongside the famous ruined fortress Fortaleza de Tirajana where the Guanches (original inhabitants of the Canary Islands) fought against the Spanish advance until Spain took power in the 15th century. The trail crosses the sunny southern canyons and passes picturesque villages such as El Sitio de Abajo and El Sitio de Arriba before reaching Santa Lucía de Tirajana, now known for its exquisite honey and oil production.
You will spend the night in Cruz de Tejeda.
The short transfer to and from today's hike is included.
After a short transfer to El Junquillo, a small village in the northwest of the island, the day's hike towards the north coast begins.
The path takes you through breathtaking gorges and past dammed ponds and reservoirs that allow water to be supplied to plantations throughout the north-western part of Gran Canaria. The impressive Barranco de Agate gorge is the setting for the day's big descent. The steep slopes of the gorge are home to bananas, mangoes, papayas, oranges and other subtropical fruits. The walk ends at Hacienda de Las Longueras, an old mansion in a spectacular colonial style.
Overnight in Gáldar
The short transfer to El Junquillo is included
From Agate to Gáldar after the walk take the bus - ticket included.
The final walk of the tour starts in the charming village of Firgas and takes you into one of the lushest and most forested areas of Gran Canaria, the Barranco de Azuaje gorge. At Firgas, known for its mineral-rich spring water, the route enters the Azuaje Nature Reserve. Here you will discover an area with dense vegetation of reeds, willow groves, ferns and laurel trees, as well as several endemic plant species. The path goes up the left side of the gorge and down the right side, where oranges and lemons are grown on terrace ledges. There are several small waterfalls along the way and the creeks must be crossed several times via log bridges.
Back in Firgas, you'll find the beautiful Paseo de Gran Canaria water staircase in the heart of the village. The village overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and a large part of the north island, and there are several restaurants to satisfy your hunger.
Your overnight stay in Gáldar
There will be a taxi/bus transfer to and from Firgas. Depends on the date and will be specified on arrival.
After breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport in Las Palmas is included.
Price includes
- 2 nights in Las Palmas
- 3 nights in Cruz de Tejeda
- 2 nights in Gáldar
- Breakfast every day
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Luggage transport between hotels
- Transfers described in the programme
- Transport from/to the airport
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to Gran Canaria
- Handling fee (€20)
- Tourist tax (if due)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. If you travel alone a single room is necessary.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Gran Canaria are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Transfer from Airport LPA.
Transfer to/from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria airport is included upon arrival - no matter what time you arrive.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
On this tour you will be accommodated in hotels of 3-start quality.
- 2 nights in Las Palmas
- 3 nights in Cruz de Tejeda
- 2 nights in Gáldar
The hotels mentioned in the descriptions are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels.
It depends on availability when you book the tour.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
On this tour there will be a welcome briefing on arrival. This will be conducted in English via video call or telephone.
Here the locally provided documents will be reviewed and specific transfer arrangements made.
There are transfers in connection with the walks. These are included and are either by taxi or local bus.
In connection with pick-up in the morning, this will typically take place at 9.00.
For transfers after the end of the hike, a pick-up time and place will be agreed daily. However, you will have telephone contact with the driver, so it is possible to adjust along the way if necessary.
For local bus routes, you will be given a bus pass so you can travel freely. You will also be given bus timetables so that you can make your own schedule.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This tour has a difficulty level of 2-3.
The time intervals fit with grade two, but there are days with ascents and descents that match category 3.
You will have the best success on this trip if you exercise on a daily basis and are in good physical shape for walking on ascents and descents, as well as in good general health. It is possible to rent trekking poles - this is done via the booking form.
Below are our general descriptions of the difficulty level.
Grade 2
Easier walking at reasonable good paths. The walking time will be 4-6 hours usually in hilly terrain. Every one in good health and a normal physical fitness can participate. Luggage is mostly transported and you only go with a lighter backpack. Requires good footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This walking holiday can basically start any day, all year round. Gran Canaria has about 300 days of sunshine per year (in the south). The best season for walking is October to May/June. In winter, daytime temperatures are typically just around 20 degrees - often with brief rain showers. July, and especially August and September, can be hot in Gran Canaria. Daytime temperatures can be near 30 degrees, mostly without rain. You can still go ahead with your trip, but you should take precautions in case of particularly hot days. As you will be staying several nights in each hotel, it is possible to plan water-free days if necessary.
A few days a year, desert sands from Africa blow over Gran Canaria. This is called Calima and typically brings higher temperatures and haze. It is typically a summer phenomenon.
There can be 10 degrees difference in temperature between the valleys and the top of Pico de las Nieves.
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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