Canary Islands Walking - Gran Canaria

Our trip starts in Aguimes a small, traditional town in the east of Gran Canaria.



For those arriving on time our Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Aguimes at any time. Should you miss the meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose 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 relax pace of life.



We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation.

Today we make a walk into 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 via the Degollada Bermeja pass on foot. Please note there is little shade in the countryside around Aguimes, so strong sun protection is needed.



Today's 12 kilometre/ 7.40 miles walk is expected to take around four hours with 550 metres/ 1804 feet of ascent and descent.

This morning we drive west to to Degollada del Aserrador. From here we walk uphill on beautiful trail to the plateau with views of Roque Nublo mountain. A gentle ascent brings us to the base 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.



After a picnic lunch we descend to La Culata where you can have a drink in a local café before continuing by bus to Acusa Seca and see cave dwellings during a second, shorter walk. Then, drive Artenera and onto La Aldea, our base for the next 3 nights.



Today's combined 10 kilometre/6.20 miles walks is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with respectively 380 and 20 metres/ 1246 and 65 feet of ascent and 560 and 220 metres/ 1837 and 721 feet of descent.

Hopping on the local public bus, we travel a short distance to the start of today's walk at the Aldea Pass (700m/2296ft). 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 1 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 Veneguera 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's 11 kilometre/6.80 miles walk is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with 200 metres/656 feet of ascent and 400 metres/1312 feet of descent.

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 5 kilometres/3.10 miles 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 coastal walk in the vicinity of La Aldea, with great views across the Atlantic.



Today's optional 6 kilometre/3.70 miles walk is expected to take around 2 hours with 200 metres/656 feet of ascent and descent.

This morning we drive to Tejeda village (1050m/3445 ft) for a stroll through the old village and coffee. From there, we continue by bus to Pico de las Nieves (1942m/6371 ft), the highest peak of the island. Here, we walk up to Pico de la Nieves then down to Degollada de los Hornos (1719m/5640 ft) and enjoy a picnic lunch with views to Pico de las Nieves and Roque Nublo. We descend to San Bartolomé and drive back to Aguimes for our last 2 nights.



Today's 9 kilometre/5.60 miles walk is expected to take around four hour with 150 metres/492 feet of ascent and 800 metres/2624 ft of descent.

Today we travel by local bus (50 min) 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's 15 kilometre/9.30 miles walk is expected to take around five-and-a-half hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and 950 metres/3116 feet of descent.

Our tour ends after breakfast at our hotel in Aguimes.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Aguimes at any time.



It takes approximatively 20 minutes to get to the airport from the hotel. Your Tour Leader will assist you either you choose to book a taxi or catch the local bus. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.