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The Canary Islands offer some of the best walking anywhere in Southern Europe. The volcanic island of Gran Canaria in particular offers far more than the beaches it is best known for. Staying off the beaten track in Aguimes on the eastern side and La Aldea de San Nicolas on the western side of the island, we discover dramatic volcanic landscapes, steep gorges, high peaks, semi-tropical valleys and unspoilt hillside villages as we explore the 'Gran Isla' by foot.
• Aguimes - A traditional Canarian village
• La Aldea de San Nicolas - Hiking in the remote west of the island
• Guayadeque Canyon - dramatic ravine with stone age cave dwellings
• Roque Nublo - a distinctive rock formation and Gran Canaria's most famous landmark
• Pico de las Nieves - Hike up Gran Canaria's highest peak
• Historic trails - Follow 'caminos reales' and ancient paths between hillside villages
| Day 1: | Arrive to Aguimes Our trip starts in Aguimes a small, traditional town in the east of Gran Canaria, about twenty minutes from the island's airport. If you arrive early you may wish to explore the historic narrow streets with pretty painted houses of the 'old town', or find a quiet cafe to sit in to acclimatise to the pace of life. |
| Day 2: | Circular walk to the Guayadeque Canyon Today we make a walk along the main landmark of this side of the island - the stunning Guayadeque Canyon that runs south east along the slopes of Pico de las Nieves. There are lots of endemic plants, but the volcanic landscape has a lunar feel as we get closer to the deep gorge, reminiscent of Northern American canyons. We walk along a tarmac road for 30 minutes before heading into the gorge. This area has been inhabited since the stone age and the remains of cave dwellings from these times are still visible. As we walk we will also see some traces of lava fields from an ancient eruption of a smaller volcano. After the gorge we head back to Aguimes on foot. Please note there is little shade in the countryside around Aguimes, so strong sun protection is needed. Our walk today is approximately 4 hours and covers 12kms. Approximate total ascents and descents are +550m / - 550m. |
| Day 3: | Walk from Tejeda to Artenara and the Acusa cliffs This morning we drive west to Tejeda, a small mountain village (1076m) with white washed buildings which for many is the prettiest hill village on Gran Canaria. There will be time for a walk around the town and a coffee before continuing to Cruz de Tejeda. We walk from here with spectacular views across Roque Nublo and the central valley to Artenara and the Acusa cliffs with its white washed cave dwellings dating back to stone age times, some of which are still occupied (there is a short bus transfer to connect both walks). We then head for our next hotel in the west of the island, our base for the next three nights. Our walk today is approximately 2 hours and covers 7kms, with approximate total ascents and descents of +200 / - 650m. |
| Day 4: | Ancient village trail Hopping on the local public bus, we travel a short distance to the start of today's walk at the Aldea Pass (700m). From here we follow an ancient pathway that in former days connected the villages of La Aldea, Tasarte and Veneguara. It is an undulating trail with one steep but short downhill section. On our left-hand side we enjoy the impressive walls of Los Azulejos, green layered rock sheets topped by the Inagua Forest. When we reach the village church of Veneguara we take a short break for lunch before continuing our walk over the last pass that leads us into the Barranco de Mogan. Here there will be time for a coffee break while waiting for the public bus that will take us back to La Aldea. Today we walk for approximately 4.5 hours and cover 14kms with total ascents and descents of approximately +250m /- 400m. |
| Day 5: | Free day. Opportunity to relax or walk in Inagua Forest Today has been left free. You may wish to relax around the hotel, enjoying the village life in La Aldea, or decide to go to the nearby beach five kilometres away. Further afield you could visit the city of Galdar and see the Cueva Pintada Museum to learn about aboriginal life on these islands - On your way back stopping off for a dip in the ocean. Alternatively keen walkers may wish to take the optional walk through the Inagua Forest to the Pico Castellet, a flat rock outcrop with a spectacular view. Optional walk 5-6hrs, 13km and total ascents and descents are approximately +500m/-700m |
| Day 6: | Walk to the summit of Roque Nublo After breakfast we drive below the Picos de las Nieves (1949m) from where we make a gentle walk up to the summit of Roque Nublo, the landmark rock of Gran Canaria and offering great views across the island and - weather allowing - across to neighbouring islands of the Canaries.From here we drive back to down to Aguimes. Our walk today is approximately 3 hours long and covers a total of 8kms. Total ascents and decents are approximately +215m / - 500m. |
| Day 7: | Descend from village of Santa Lucia to Aguimes Today we travel by local bus to Santa Lucia for our long but scenic walk back down to Aguimes. As we start our descent we pass an old maize mill, before walking down into the Hondo Ravine and up to Lomo de Don Pedro. We continue eastwards to Temisas village following signed trails, then part of a 'Camino Real' marked out by stones to Aguimes town. Today we walk for 6 hours and cover approximately 17kms, with total ascents and descents of +300m / - 700m. |
| Day 8: | Tour ends in Aguimes Our tour ends after breakfast, in Aguimes. |
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