Island of Gran Canaria

On arrival to Gran Canaria airport, a private taxi transfer is included (approx 1hr) to your hotel in Agaete, on the island’s rugged north-west coast. Arrival at your accommodation, situated just outside the town amidst pineapple and banana plantations, with time to relax by the pool to start off your holiday.

After a delicious breakfast, you start your first walk right from the hotel entrance. All over the Canary Islands, the shortest route is by way of the nearest Barranco (at least, in the dry season) and you walk up among bamboo-like fronds of rice. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to select a light-weight yet very strong walking stick, which may be very useful throughout the trip.

In the village of San Pedro, you start your ascent along the Camino Real to Montaña Bibique (645m), a rugged outcropping at the top of steep cliffs, with fabulous views over Agaete Valley. Then you walk further on, to the vista point at Mirador Vuelta de la Paloma (850m), where you look out over several valleys. The descent from Puerto de las Nieves follows a narrow gravel path along the ridge. Bus or taxi back to Agaete.
Please note: If you are afraid of heights, you should do the route there-and-back. Plan to retrace your steps from the Mirador back to the hotel.

Views of an impressive summit of La Cumbre on the way to your next accommodation, where you’ll spend three days at a comfortable hotel situated in Tejeda, high up in the mountains. After a short taxi transfer to the village of Fagajesto, you start your walk along a quiet tarmac road for around 2km, the route is free of traffic and you walk along a high ridge surrounded by pastures, barns, flocks of sheep and dairies where cheese is made. You then follow historic paths and trails through the fir forests near Pinos de Galdar before you descent to the crossroads at Cruz de Tejeda, the highest village on the Island. You will find the ascents are long and steep at times, especially the section through the pinewoods. The descent is more gradual, along a stony footpath that zigzags through some orchards and kitchen gardens. You can shorten the route by asking the taxi to drive you 2km further uphill at the start. The only place for refreshments along the way is in Cruz de Tejeda where there are 2 restaurants and a parador.

This walk traverses the gorgeously steep terrain around Roque Nublo, a rocky outcropping teetering on the edge of a plateau. This may not be the highest peak on the island but it is certainly the most easily identifiable, as it’s visible from almost anywhere on the island. The walk starts directly from your front door. After 1km the tarmac gives way to steep paths which zigzag up toward Roque Nublo.

The peak’s volcanic origins become evident higher up and you gaze hundreds of meters down steeply eroded ravines. On the descent, you follow a different route – through a peaceful fir forest – to reach the col where you can catch a bus back to Tejeda. If you miss the bus, or just feel like walking further, you can continue down along the old Camino Real (some sections surfaced in tarmac) back to the village (this adds 2 hours and 7,25km to your walk, with 450m extra in descent, 75m extra in ascent).

After breakfast, you will have a transfer to Degalloda del Sargenta where your walk will begin.

After some long walking previously, you do one of the loveliest walks on this program over Altavista ridge at 1378m. You will have fabulous views across the Islands including Tenerife and El Teide, the highest peak in Spain. You will finish your walk-in Artenara where you can have a coffee of cool beer while you wait for your taxi transfer back.

After a short 10min transfer to La Culata (elevation 1225m), you begin a walking route which takes you up over la Cumbre toward the green north sector of the island. The first part of the ascent (up to Roque Nublo, by way of yesterday’s route) gets you to 1620m. Then you follow the ridge for about an hour, enjoying views to Gran Canaria’s highest peak, Pico de las Nieves (1951m). Your descent follows footpaths and rural tracks all the way to your accommodation. Unfortunately, to reach La Lechuza there’s no way to avoid doing the last 2.5km on the tarmac. But your reward is great: a swim in the pool awaits!
Optional ascent to Pico de las Nieves adds an additional 6km and 2.5hrs walking, with an extra 285m in ascent/descent.

Today you choose between a long, demanding walk through ravines north of la Cumbre OR a day trip to Las Palmas. The stunning part of the walking route, aside from the stupendous views, is the variety of vegetation found in the barrancos, where all sorts of fruit, vegetables and even chestnut trees are grown. If you decide to visit Las Palmas today, you start off with a walk to San Mateo (45min, 2.75km, mostly downhill) There, you catch a bus to Las Palmas de G.C. which drops you off in the historic town centre known as La Vegueta.

In addition to the town’s interesting Castilian-style colonial architecture, you also have Santa Ana Cathedral and the Casa de Colon, where Christopher Columbus was a lodger for a time before undertaking his long journey overseas. There’s also the Museo Canario, with the island’s best collection of archaeological artefacts. At the end of the day, bus back to San Mateo and walk/taxi back to your hotel.

Depart after breakfast.