8-day Gran Canaria Walking Holiday

Travel to the ‘Islas Canarias’ and take a one-hour taxi transfer to Agaete, situated on the island’s rugged northwest coast amidst orange and banana plantations. A colourful tropical setting to start off your holiday.

Start off with the Canary Island version of a shortcut, a direct route up the nearest ‘barranco’! In San Pedro you turn uphill on the Camino Real, hiking to Montaña Bibique (elevation 645m), a rugged outcropping with immense views. Next up is the vista point at Mirador Vuelta de la Paloma (elevation 850m) and the views are even grander. A bit of careful footwork is required on the descent to Puerto de las Nieves. Once down at sea level you get a bus or taxi back to your hotel. Option of avoiding the tricky descent, if you don’t like heights. 

Challenge: 4 / 5 hrs, 13 - 11,5 km / 8 - 7 mi, 520 / 770 m ascent, 600 / 850 m descent

A technically easy walk, which starts along a quiet tarmac lane with splendid views (first 2 km) but then follows historic footpaths up into the evergreen forest Pinos de Galdar and then down via Cruz de Tejeda to the highest village of the entire island: Tejeda, beautifully located on a terraced slope with both Roque Nublo and Bentayga in view.  The ascents are long and steep at times, especially the section through the pinewoods, on vertical paths with lava grit. The descent is more gradual, along a stony footpath that zigzags along slopes and through some orchards and kitchen gardens. You can shorten the route by asking the taxi to drive you 2 km further uphill at the start. The only pit-stop along the way is in Cruz de Tejeda where there are 2 restaurants and a chique parador.

Challenge: 6.5 / 5 hrs, 13.5 - 11 km / 8,5 - 7 mi, 700 / 825 m ascent, 700 m descent

Take off to traverse steep slopes around Roque Nublo, a craggy outcropping teetering on the edge of a plateau. Not the highest peak on the island, but certainly the most easily identified and visible from nearly anywhere on the island. Setting off directly from your hotel, the first kilometre on tarmac soon gives way to paths zigzagging up toward the peak. The peak’s volcanic origins become evident higher up as you gaze hundreds of metres down eroded ravines. The descent takes a different route down through a peaceful fir wood to the col where you catch the bus back to Tejeda. Optionally you can extend your route, adding an extra 8km and returning to Tejeda on foot.

Challange: 5.5 / 7.5 hrs, 12.5 - 20 km / 8 - 12,5 mi, 800 m ascent, 400 / 800 m descent

The ascent to the Altavista peak (at 1378 m) on the edge of the Nature Park Tamadaba is easy but interesting as it allows for some great views across Gran Canaria, Tenerife and El Teide, the highest peak of Spain. You will be taken in the morning to the pass Degollada del Sargento and picked up at the end of the walk in Artenara, where you can wait for the taxi while enjoying a drink or lunch on a terrace. If you want to shorten the walk, you should ask the driver to pick you up at the starting point and pay for this on the spot

Challenge: 5 / 3 hrs, 13 - 9 km / 8 - 5,5 mi, 500 / 300 m ascent, 450 / 300 m descent

Set off with a transfer to La Culata, elevation 1225 m, to begin a hike up and over La Cumbre (literally ‘The Summit’) into the island’s green north sector. Trekking up to Roque Nublo by way of yesterday’s route, you reach 1620 m and walk the ridge for an hour of views to Gran Canaria’s highest peak, Pico de las Nieves, elevation 1951 m. Taking footpaths and rural tracks down toward La Lechuza, you’ll have to endure 2,5 km on tarmac at the end to earn your reward: a refreshing plunge in the hotel swimming pool!

Challenge: 4 hrs, 12.5 km / 18,5 mi, 500 m ascent, 325 m descent.

With the optional ascent to Pico de las Nieves: another 6 km / 3,5 mi, 2.5 hours and 285 m ascent and descent.

Choose a short walk near historic Teror, opt for a longer route through ravines north of La Cumbre or take the day off to rest or visit Las Palmas. Both walking routes explore spectacular ‘barrancos’ exploding with fruit trees, vegetable patches and even chestnut groves. The urban version starts with a stroll to San Mateo and bus ride to the capital. Wander round Vegueta, the historic Old Town with interesting colonial style architecture. See Santa Ana Cathedral, inspect the island’s archaeological artifacts at the Museo Canario and take a souvenir photo at Casa de Colon, where Columbus stayed for a time before undertaking his odyssey overseas.

Challenge: 4.5 / 5.5 hrs, 13 - 14 km / 8 - 8,5 mi, 400 / 715 m ascent, 620 / 715 m descent

Your self-guided walking trip comes to an end today after breakfast.