Hike The Volcanic Island of Gran Canaria
A challenging hike from the highlands to the coast of a tropical mountainous gem in the Canary Islands archipelago
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with English-speaking, qualified mountain guidesGuesthouse & Hostel
5 nights in small rural guesthousesTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenMeals
Tasty food to munch on throughoutLuggage transfer
Vehicle support to take your overnight kitSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Stomp to the summit of Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island at a hefty 1949m
Bask in a subtropical climate, traversing one of the sunniest islands in the world, and cool off in coastal rock pools on remote beaches
Explore this biodiverse island on little-used hiking trails, experiencing dramatic mountain ranges, sunken calderas and epic ocean views
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Gran Canaria
After being met by your host, begin your Canarian adventure with a quick drive to a beautiful beach. Enjoy your first sea swim and bask in the island’s year-round sun, before heading inland to the peaceful Barranco de Guayadeque. This area was one of the first parts of the island to be colonised after the Spanish conquest in 1491. You’ll have dinner with your guide and fellow adventurers at a traditional cave restaurant and hear all about the challenge ahead.
Day 2
Through the volcanic canyon
Hiking
You’ll head off through the lower hills of Barranco de Guayadeque; this ancient gorge once housed a river that carved smooth walls into the cliffs. Filled with caves, the gorge has been a hiding place for pre-Hispanic mummies, pottery and inscriptions, and your guide will have plenty of stories to tell about this fascinating culture. Passing first through pine forests, then up a steep mountain pass, you’ll end up in the La Cumbre region, the highest part of the island. You’ll push on to the summit of El Pico de Las Nieves (1950m) - soak up that ‘top of the world’ feeling and check out the blanket of clouds below you.
Day 3
The Spanish Stonehenge
Hiking
Today’s hike crosses the highlands as you make your way to the famous Roque Nublo. This 80-metre monolith has inspired painters, writers and composers, and is a sacred spot rich with mystic stories and tales of worship and sacrifice. You’ll continue on the undulating track through lost hamlets before reaching the village of Tejeda - this circular route gives you the chance to soak up the enormity of the Caldera de Tejeda.
Day 4
Laurisilva Forest
Hiking
Enjoy a slightly more relaxed day today as you pass through the highest caves on the island, Cuevas del Caballero, and catch sight of one of the youngest volcanos on Gran Canaria - Montañon Negro. After that, you’ll head deep into the greenest part of the island, and trek through Laurisilva Forest, a rare remnant of subtropical laurel forest related to those found in Macaronesia. There may be the opportunity for an excursion to a nomadic local cheese farm at Fontanales, where you can learn all about the traditions of artisan cheese-making process - this is weather dependent as the farm moves bi-annually with the seasons that are less defined every year.
Day 5
What goes up must come down...
Hiking
The morning begins with a hike into yet another new landscape, helping Gran Canaria live up to its nickname of ‘a continent in miniature’. You’ll descend into the green and humid gorge of Barranco Hondo, leading to one of the most fertile valleys of the island - the Agaete Valley, bursting with an abundance of flora and fauna. Before arriving at the coastal fishing village of Agaete, you’ll have the option of dropping into a local coffee plantation to learn about the growing, harvesting and processing of the coffee beans, according to permaculture principles.
Day 6
Time to chill...
Wake up refreshed and stretch into the day with a yoga class and relaxing ocean views to reinvigorate those tired muscles. Today is yours at leisure - If you wish to have a massage, a local masseur is on hand and your host can arrange this at the start of the trip for you. Following a leisurely breakfast, maybe jump into one of the volcanic rock pools along the coast, known locally as Las Salinas, and soak away that thigh burn. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the village of Agaete - why not try some of the local fish for an early lunch or spend a couple of hours relaxing on the black-stone beach? In the afternoon, you’ll head back to the airport and say your goodbyes.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Las Palmas City Centre or Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
Prior to 12:00 Las Palmas City Centre, or 12:00 - 19:00 Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) on Day 1
Ends
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
13:30 on Day 6
Transfers
If you are flying into Gran Canaria on Day 1, please ensure your flight lands between 12:00 and 19:00 and the host will collect you from the airport according to your flight schedule (if your flight is scheduled to land outside of these times, please contact your host prior to travel to arrange alternative transportation).
If you are already in Gran Canaria before the start of the trip, your host will collect you from your Las Palmas accommodation prior to 12:00 on Day 1 (if your accommodation is outside Las Palmas, please contact your host prior to travel to arrange alternative transportation).
At the end of your trip, the host will provide two options for joining a group transfer from Agaete to the airport: A morning transfer with a 09:30 airport drop-off, and an afternoon transfer with a 13:30 drop-off. Please book flights that depart at least 2 hours after the drop-off time.
There are regular shuttle buses to/from Las Palmas to the airport, the journey into the centre takes 20 minutes.
Travel options
There are daily flights to Gran Canaria from major airports across the UK and Europe. If you choose to arrive early, there are regular buses across the island that you can use to explore. Our local host has a wealth of information about accommodation and activities - please do not hesitate to contact them for advice before planning your experience.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Savour the delights of Canarian gastronomy, with fresh produce cooked with love by the host's family chef and a wide variety of regional dishes, from artisan cheese to locally-grown coffee. Breakfasts most days will be continental style, consisting of tea and coffee, bread, butter, local jams and honey, fruit, pastries, cheese, ham and juices. For lunch in some seriously scenic spots, expect more than sandwiches, as your support crew will provide an abundant spread of salads, cold mezze and vegetarian dishes - all made using local produce.
Dinners will be eaten at the guesthouses. You’ll feast on regional specialties, from delicious papas arrugadas con mojo (potatoes cooked in salt water with a piquant sauce), bienmesabe (a traditional dessert made on the island, consisting of almonds and lemon zest) to tapas and meat cooked on an open fire. This is a wonderful way to support the local economy and learn more about Canarian culture.
Vegetarian, vegan and most dietary requirements can be accommodated, please just let your host know upon booking.
What is the accommodation like?
On the trek
You’ll sleep in comfortable and unique guesthouse accommodation, known locally as casas rurales, with incredible views of Gran Canaria’s changing landscape.
On the first night you will stay at Casas Cuevas Tagoror in cave houses looking out over a dramatic gorge. The next two nights will be spent at Hotel El Refugio, located 1,500m above sea level, with a small swimming pool and an incredible view of the sunset. On the fourth night, you will stay at Cabañas Valle Verde in Fontanales in cosy wooden cabins. The final night of the trip will be spent at Casa Calma Yoga Hostel in Agaete, just fifteen minutes walk from a glorious beach.
Most guesthouses are converted houses, the rooms available vary at each one but you will be in same-sex twin-share rooms for most nights. In general, the guesthouses have two or three single beds per room, (double beds can be arranged for couples). On the last night, you’ll be sleeping in dorms of up to six people. These will mostly be single-sex but there may be some trips where men and women will share in a six-bed room. You will only share with members of your trip. Agaete is not yet on the tourist map so accommodation options are extremely limited.
Upgrades
Due to the small size of the accommodation and limited room availability on this trip, there is no option to upgrade to a private room. As this is a rural trek, options are extremely limited re where to stay with a group.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
This trek requires a good level of fitness. You must be capable of hiking all day up paths of moderate difficulty with steep, loose sections. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the loose footing and long climbs will make the going quite difficult in parts. The views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile.
Gran Canaria enjoys year-round warmth and sunshine with very little seasonal variation. Summers are hot and dry while winters are just slightly cooler, with the potential for a few showers. The island’s southerly location is on the same latitude as the Sahara, meaning it is much hotter than mainland Spain in the winter. However, it will get cooler at night, and once in the high interior of the island, the temperature can drop by quite a few degrees.
While hiking you can expect fairly consistent daytime temperatures of 18-24ºC and mostly clear skies; however, in the winter it can drop as low as 5ºC at night time. It can also be windy on the top of the peaks, and as you will be passing through different microclimates, it's not unusual to experience days where you will be hiking in 15ºC in the morning and 30ºC in the afternoon. As you will be getting up pretty high there is, of course, the chance of some showers in the mountains but these are rare, short and sharp if they do occur. The sea temperature will be approx 18-26ºC, so very swimmable in the winter months.
What an unforgettable experience!
We were blessed with perfect weather conditions on this 6 day experience. Despite the baking midday heat, the hiking was challenging but doable. The summits, views, experiences as well as the destinations make that quad burn worth it.The biggest commendations go out to the guides, Rachel, Mike and Diego and their organisation of the trip. Their local knowledge of the island and expertise are outstanding. It was refreshing to be able to really enjoy the hike while Rachel leads the pack safely to summmit and everywhere in between. Enclosed by our safeguarding Diego at the rear. And then like an angel in disguise, there is Mike whose logisitcs, water, lunch, snacks and friendship kept us motivated throughout the day. The attention to detail within the accommodation by the hosts and guides was impeccable. The combination of the experience above leaves me with no doubt in recommending this excursion!
An exceptional trip in an extraordinary place
This trip is truly exceptional - the guides are not only extremely knowledgeable about the history of the island and a great support at the tougher parts of the hike, but are fantastic and fun people to spend time with. The hike is challenging but in the best way, and balanced perfectly with relaxation, fun and surprises along the way. And the VIEWS… extraordinary. Don’t think about booking this trip - just do it.
Awesome trip! The trails weee
Awesome trip! The trails weee beautiful and the accommodations were good. Benjamin and Mike were great guides, very friendly and knowledgeable.
Wow, what a fabulous trip.
Wow, what a fabulous trip. I never leave reviews, ever, but I must. From beginning to end- we were thoroughly looked after, our guides (Ben/ Michel) were absolutely ace. I wasn’t sure about doing this trip, but seriously though it was amazing, great accommodation, great food, stunning scenery and fabulous hiking and side trips- just book it….
Not to be missed!
This was my first MBA trip and it couldn’t have been a better experience. The hiking was challenging at times, more due to the heat and the long days than anything else, but the amazing views are well worth it. We stayed in some really pretty places, and the food was good and always plentiful. Our guides Rachael, Benjamin, Michele and Diego were brilliant. Everything from start to finish was so well organised, communication was great, and they had thought of everything to make sure we all had a good time. We had a lovely, fun group of people which made the experience even better.
What an incredible trip! The
What an incredible trip! The scenery is stunning and incredibly varied, and the hiking hugely fun - the ‘challenging’ rating feels right as no individual hike is particularly extreme, but several days of it in a row will add up!
The views you get are completely unique, and will leave a lasting impression.
The guides are the real star of the show though, who were so welcoming and engaging that they immediately felt like old friends and really helped a group of strangers bond, along with doing a great job of pacing the days and looking out for everyone in the group. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we were exceptionally well looked after!
The organisation and logistics was expertly handled as well. Considering that lunch is freshly prepared each day; lots of fresh water is always available; that we stayed in 4(!) different incredible locations; and we even had a cheese and wine night, it’s a real accomplishment to make it feel seamless. One of the best parts of the trip was that basically everything is taken care of - meaning you can focus on the hiking and having a fantastic time, without having to worry about the tricky details.
I had a great time, and would always recommend this trip (and the team of Rachael, Benjamin, Mike and Diago!) to anyone else!
Amazing trip!
I have had one of THE best weeks im my life. Met amazing group of people and saw the Gran Canaria Island through a different lense than just going for a beach holiday. The whole organisation, program and the food was impeccable. If anyone hesitates to book this trip- do yourself a favour and do book it right away.
An adventure you’ll never forget.
One of the best trips I have ever been on. My 3rd MBA and it will hard to be topped. Our guides were amazing, Benji, Rachael and Mike. They gave the trip a relaxed and awesome atmosphere which went down well amongst the group. Climbo, there company, is extremely lucky to have them. We had great weather, beautiful accommodation, and awesome landscapes. We were a group of 12 individuals who all clicked instantly. Hiking from one place to another feels like a proper adventure. The first 2 hikes are pretty tough, but if you feel capable of hiking a long distance, then it is certainly doable. Overall an experience that will live long in the memory. If you’re thinking about doing this, just go for it!
One of the best small group hikes I’ve ever been on
This was a wonderful trip; the island is spectacular, with rugged mountains on one side and green forest on the other. Our leaders Benjamin and Rachael, and our driver Micha, were amazing - Micha in particular took great care of me when I didn’t have the energy for some segments of the trip.
Brilliant guides and a fun trip
A brilliant trip from start to finish - really well organised, including detailed pre-departure information. Benjamin, Mike and Rachael really went above and beyond - looking after us so well, leading the hikes and ensuring that the group had an excellent time. The accommodation is good, the walks are very doable, the scenery is beautiful and it was a great trip all-round. Thank you!
Really great trip!
Our guides were all great fun & also very helpful, doing everything they could to meet our needs, even in some challenging / unforeseen situations! The hiking routes were really pretty, a really different landscape to most. There was tonnes of food! The accomodation exceeded my expectations. One day we were unable to hike to due a calima (sand in the air from the Sahara desert) which was a shame, but they still kept us entertained by showing us around some caves and we went to a museum. Also if you get the chance, there’s a spa hotel just down the road from one of the places you stay, definitely go there it’s absolutely stunning and well worth the money! Like €40 for 2 hours or something. It was dreamy! Great trip overall!
The best trip of my life
Our hiking trip was easily the best trip I’ve ever been on. The accommodations were interesting and more than sufficient, the food was fantastic, and the hikes themselves were a fulfilling challenge. For various reasons, this should have been a nightmare trip for me, but the guides Benjamin and Rachael were heavensent. Benjamin in particular was part personal trainer, part philosopher, part therapist, and got me up and down the mountains in spite of my severe fear of heights and dismal physical condition. The entire team (special mention goes to Mike, who dealt with logistics) running the trip went above and beyond, juggling a million things, and putting so much of themselves into everything they did. I’m extremely grateful.