8 Days & 7 Nights

Gran Canaria: Island of Contrasts

The volcanic landscape of the 80 metre tall monolith of El Roque Nublo
Explore the charming whitewashed Mediterranean villages brimming with bougainvillea
The Caminos Reales - an extensive network of paths and classic routes
Lush tropical valleys, rolling sand dunes and dense woodlands
Gran Canaria’s white sandy beaches and rugged coastline

Often referred to as a continent in miniature, the Canary Island of Gran Canaria offers a unique walking experience, from the rugged coastline broken up with sandy beaches and whitewashed villages to lush forests, tropical plantations and arid volcanic mountain ranges. Your journey starts in the whitewashed fishing village of Agaete on the Northwest coast, with its winding narrow streets. Sample the local goats cheese or fresh seafood paella. From here you will follow walking routes through valleys where bananas, mangoes, papayas and citrus trees grow in abundance. Walk the ancient Camino Reales along mountain ridges and deep ravines offering panoramic views of the valleys below. Your base for the next few days is the village of Tejeda in the centre of the island, set in the protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. On a clear day you will enjoy views across the mountains and out to Tenerife in the distance. Visit the village market and try some traditional sweets and marzipan made with locally grown almonds and honey. See the volcanic landscape of Roque Nublo and Gran Canaria’s highest peak Pico de las Nieves. Your tour comes to an end in the tiny rural village of La Lechuza. Enjoy a loop walk or take a day trip to the capital city of Las Palmas where you can soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying some tapas in one of the café filled side streets. Popular travel resource Rough Guides featured our Island of Contrasts walking tour in a recent article. Their writer said, "At the end of our week...we will look back at the peaks up which we have walked and smile at the memories of our discovery – that the Canary Islands are so much more than beaches and bars."

From $1,680.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Gran Canaria/Overnight Agaete

Arrive at Gran Canaria Las Palmas Airport where a driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation just outside Agaete (1 hour). Take some time to explore the charming fishing village of Agaete or relax by the swimming pool for the afternoon.

Overnight Agaete

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Rural Las Longueras | 3 Star | Hotel

Located in a large estate in the extense and fertile Valley of Agaete. The building has belonged to the family Manrique de Lara since the 17th century. The rooms are decorated with care in different colours and fabrics, each with its own charm.

Day 2 Walking on the Camino Real 7.8 miles / 12.5 km

Enjoy a breakfast of freshly squeezed juice and warm homemade bread on the terrace before starting your first walk. Leaving the hotel you will walk up a path along a ravine to the village of San Pedro. From here you will start your ascent along the Camino Real to Montana Bibique (645m), a rugged outcropping at the top of the steep cliffs, with views over the lush Agaete Valley.

Walk further on to the Mirador Vuelta de la Paloma (850m) which looks out over several valleys. The descent from Puerto de las Nieves follows a narrow gravel path along the ridge and is not for the faint hearted. Once at the bottom take a bus or taxi back to Agaete. If you are afraid of heights you are best to retrace your steps from the Mirador back to the hotel instead of following this path.

Ascent/Descent: 525m/650m

Overnight Agaete

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Rural Las Longueras | 3 Star | Hotel

Day 3 Walk from Fagajesto to Tejeda 8.4 miles / 13.4 km

Follow historic footpaths up into the evergreen forest Pinos de Galdar this morning before continuing to descend 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 2km further uphill at the start.

Ascent/Descent: 825m/700m

Overnight Tejeda

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Fonda de La Tea | Hotel

A small, charming hotel in Tejeda. The impressive terrace with views towards Roque Bentayga, the patio and the welcoming living room with chimney, invite you to read, converse or just relax.

Day 4 Walk around Roque Nublo 12.5 miles / 20 km

Today you will traverse the steep volcanic terrain around the famous landmark of Roque Nublo. This may not be the highest peak on Gran Canaria but it is the most identifiable, as it is visible from almost anywhere on the island. Follow steep paths zigzagging up toward Roque Nublo. As you get higher, gaze hundreds of meters down steeply eroded ravines. On the descent follow a different route through a peaceful pine forest and then follow the Camino Real back to Tejeda. It is possible to shorten the route by taking the bus back to Tejeda which would shorten it to 12.5km.

Ascent/Descent: 800m/800m

Overnight Tejeda

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Fonda de La Tea | Hotel

A small, charming hotel in Tejeda. The impressive terrace with views towards Roque Bentayga, the patio and the welcoming living room with chimney, invite you to read, converse or just relax.

Day 5 Degollado de Sargento to Artenara via Altavista 8.1 miles / 13 km

The ascent to the Altavista peak (at 1378 m) on the edge of the Nature Park Tamadaba is an easy but interesting walk 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 Degalloda del Sargento and picked up at the end of the walk in Artenara, where you can wait for your taxi whilst enjoying a drink or lunch on a terrace.

Ascent/Descent: 500m/450m

Overnight Tejeda

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Fonda de La Tea | Hotel

A small, charming hotel in Tejeda. The impressive terrace with views towards Roque Bentayga, the patio and the welcoming living room with chimney, invite you to read, converse or just relax.

Day 6 Walk to La Lechuza 11.75 miles / 18.8 km

After a short transfer to La Culata you begin a walking route which takes you up over La Cumbre toward the green north of the island. Ascending up to Roque Nublo, you will follow the ridge enjoying views to Gran Canaria’s highest peak, Pico de las Nieves (1951m). Descend along footpaths, rural tracks and tarmac to your accommodation where you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool. It is possible to miss the peak itself, shortening the day to 12.5km and 500m of ascent.

Ascent/Descent: 785m/410m

Overnight La Lechuza

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Rural Las Calas | Hotel

A charming manor house from the 17th century in which the restoration works have maintained the traditional architectural elements.

Day 7 Choice of walks or visit to Las Palmas 8.5 miles / 13.7 km

Today you have the choice of another day of walking or a day trip to Las Palmas. Choose between a longer route through ravines or a shorter route near the historic town of Teror. If you decide to visit Las Palmas today, you start off with a walk to San Mateo where you will catch a bus to Las Palmas. Explore the historic town centre taking in the Castillan-style colonial architecture, the Santa Ana Cathedral. Soak up the atmosphere before returning to the hotel for your final night.

Ascent/Descent: 715m/715m

Overnight La Lechuza

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Rural Las Calas | Hotel

A charming manor house from the 17th century in which the restoration works have maintained the traditional architectural elements.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This trip is best suited to keen walkers and is graded moderate to strenuous. The walks are of 4.5 to 7.5 hrs a day, some long ascents and descents (max of 1300m in ascent, 715m in descent). Some options for easier alternate routes.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands, Winter Sun

Activity Level & Terrain

This walking tour is graded Moderate to Strenuous overall even though most days in themselves are graded on the higher end of moderate. Walks are 4.5 to 7.5 hrs a day, with some long ascents and descents (max of 1300m in ascent, 715m in descent). The walks follow rural tracks, both surfaced and un-surfaced, footpaths and animal trails. You may encounter some loose rock, or muddy / slippery sections in wet weather. The ascents and descents can be steep and footpaths rough. There are also some sections with steep drop-offs so this tour is not particularly suitable to anybody with vertigo. The higher areas may experience occasional snow during early spring and weather conditions up high may be totally different from those experienced in the valleys, so always take extra warm clothing with you. From June till September you should protect yourself against sun and heat and ensure you have plenty of drinking water. You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday. We also recommend taking walking poles for the steep descents.

It is also possible to shorten most days or there are some alternatives to avoid sections with the steepest drop offs and if you choose the easier options on each day the grading of the tour would be moderate overall, but this tour is not particularly suitable if you do suffer from vertigo at all.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights hotel accommodation
7 Breakfasts
3 Dinners
A detailed information pack, route notes and maps
Full information pack on local history, culture & traditions as well as advice on restaurants, bars and local attractions
24 hour emergency telephone support and assistance
Return airport transfers
Luggage transfers between accommodation on days 3 and 6
Transfers for days 3, 5, and 6 according to the programme

Excluded

Lunches, dinners not specified, snacks and drinks.
Travel Insurance
Any transfers not specified
Flights
Personal expenses such as phone calls, drinks, extra transport etc
Optional extras
Extra nights during, before or after the tour
Single room supplement

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, appropriate clothes and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance that covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How fit do I need to be? Which is the best airport to fly to? How far in advance do I need to book? What equipment do I need? When is the best time of year? How do the baggage transfers work? What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

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Gran Canaria: Island of Contrasts

Gran Canaria: Island of Contrasts

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Itinerary

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Single Rooms

Solo Walkers

Meals

Getting to/from Gran Canaria

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

General Information

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Why Macs

The Biggest Choice

Founded in 2003

23,000+ Customer Reviews

B Corp Certified