Gran Canaria is far more than a beach destination. Away from the coastal resorts lies a remarkably varied interior of deep volcanic barrancos, ancient laurisilva forests, pine-covered ridges and the dramatic rock formations of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, rising from the island's rugged highland core. Known as a continent in miniature, Gran Canaria packs an extraordinary range of landscapes into a single island.

With walks varying from short and easy to long and demanding, this comprehensive guidebook by expert Paddy Dillon covers 40 day walks and a five-stage GR131 coast-to-coast route across Gran Canaria. Day walks range from 5 to 22km (3 to 14 miles) and take between 2 and 7 hours, while the GR131 covers 77km (48 miles) in five stages from Puerto de las Nieves to Maspalomas.

• 40 day walks across Gran Canaria's most varied terrain, from the central highlands around Cruz de Tejeda and Tejeda to the Tamadaba pine forest, La Aldea, Mogán and the sand dunes of Maspalomas, with shorter walks combinable into longer itineraries
• The GR131 coast-to-coast route, described in five stages, crosses Gran Canaria from north to south as part of the long-distance trail that traverses all seven Canary Islands, offering a memorable multi-day walking experience
• Iconic highlights include Roque Nublo, one of Gran Canaria's most recognisable landmarks, Roque Bentayga, the Caldera de Bandama and the high point of Pico de las Nieves, the island's highest summit
• 1:50,000 mapping for every walk alongside practical information on public transport, facilities and access, making it straightforward to reach trailheads without a car from Las Palmas or the southern resorts
• A year-round walking destination, with spring the ideal season, winter offering reliable good weather on lower routes 

Gran Canaria's walking landscape is one of the best-kept secrets in the Canary Islands, where deep barrancos, ancient forests and volcanic ridges sit just a bus ride from the beach resorts. This guidebook is your essential companion for discovering every part of it.

Discover the rest of the Canary Islands with Walking in Tenerife, Walking on La Palma, Walking on La Gomera and El Hierro and Walking on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura available for purchase separately. 

Walking on Gran Canaria - Quick Facts

Area: Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain 
Total walks: 45 (40 day walks plus 5-stage GR131 coast-to-coast route) 
Day walk distances: 5 to 22km (3 to 14 miles) 
Day walk duration: 2 to 7 hours 
GR131 coast-to-coast: 77km (48 miles) over 5 stages, Puerto de las Nieves to Maspalomas 
Difficulty: Short and easy to long and demanding; good footwear essential on rough and stony paths 
Walk highlights: Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga, Pico de las Nieves, Caldera de Bandama, Tamadaba pine forest, Dunas de Maspalomas, Cruz de Tejeda, La Aldea 
Areas covered: Santa Brígida and San Mateo, Valleseco and Teror, Artenara and Tamadaba, La Aldea, Mogán and Las Presas, Tejeda and La Culata, San Bartolomé, Valsequillo 
Centres: Las Palmas, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Cruz de Tejeda, Tejeda, Artenara 
Mapping: 1:50,000 maps included for every walk 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Transport: Detailed public transport information throughout; most walks are accessible by bus from Las Palmas and southern resorts 
Best time to visit: Spring ideal; winter reliable for lower routes; summer too hot for most walking 
Special features: Topographical glossary; notes on geology, wildlife and national parks; accommodation and facilities information 
Part of a series: One of five Cicerone walking guidebooks covering the Canary Islands, alongside titles for Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, and Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

Author Highlight

"This guidebook explores the waymarked trail network on the large island of Gran Canaria. It includes routes of all types, from easy strolls to hands-on scrambling, from simple 
day walks to long-distance trails. As these routes are often fully signposted and waymarked, walkers can follow them with confidence and enjoy the island to the full. Almost 580km (360 miles) of trails are described in this guidebook."

- Paddy Dillon, author of Walking on Gran Canaria

Map key

Overview map
Location of walks
Introduction
Location
Geology
Wildlife
National parks
The Fortunate Isles
Getting there
When to go
Accommodation
Health and safety
Food and drink
Language
Money
Communications

Walking on Gran Canaria
Introduction
Getting there
Getting around
What to take
Waymarking and access
Maps
Food and drink
Tourist information offices
Emergencies
Using this guide

Santa Brígida and San Mateo
Walk 1 Las Palmas to Santa Brígida
Walk 2 Las Meleguinas to Las Lagunetas
Walk 3 Las Lagunetas and Cruz de Tejeda
Walk 4 Santa Brígida to Teror
Walk 5 San Mateo to Teror
Walk 6 Pico de Bandama and Caldera de Bandama

Valleseco and Teror
Walk 7 Cruz de Tejeda to Teror
Walk 8 Cruz de Tejeda to Valleseco
Walk 9 Cruz de La Laguna and Valsendero
Walk 10 Cruz de La Laguna and Las Madres

Artenara and Tamadaba
Walk 11 Moriscos to Santa María de Guía
Walk 12 Artenara to Tamadaba
Walk 13 San Pedro and Tamadaba
Walk 14 Artenara and Vega de Acusa

La Aldea
Walk 15 Altavista to La Aldea
Walk 16 La Aldea to El Risco
Walk 17 Albercón, Güigüí and Tasártico
Walk 18 Montaña del Viso and La Aldea

Mogán and Las Presas
Walk 19 El Aserrador and El Carrizal
Walk 20 El Aserrador and El Juncal
Walk 21 Presa de las Niñas and Morillo de San Juan
Walk 22 Cruz de San Antonio to Las Casillas
Walk 23 Camino de las Presas

Tejeda and La Culata
Walk 24 Tejeda and Cruz de Tejeda
Walk 25 Tejeda and La Culata
Walk 26 Degollada Becerra and La Culata
Walk 27 Roque Nublo from La Goleta
Walk 28 Cruz Grande to Ayacata
Walk 29 Llanos de Garañón and Pico de las Nieves

San Bartolomé
Walk 30 Santa Lucía and Pico de las Nieves
Walk 31 San Bartolomé and Cruz Grande
Walk 32 San Bartolomé to Arteara
Walk 33 Arteara to Ayagaures
Walk 34 Dunas de Maspalomas

Valsequillo
Walk 35 Siete Fuentes to San Mateo
Walk 36 San Mateo to Valsequillo
Walk 37 Valsequillo to Santa Brígida
Walk 38 El Rincón and Cuevas Blancas
Walk 39 Tenteniguada and Caldera de los Marteles
Walk 40 Caldera de los Marteles to Valsequillo

GR 131 – Puerto de las Nieves to Maspalomas
Walk 41 GR 131 – Puerto de las Nieves to Tamadaba
Walk 42 GR 131 –Tamadaba to Cruz de Tejeda
Walk 43 GR 131 – Cruz de Tejeda to San Bartolomé;
Walk 44 GR 131 –San Bartolomé to Ayagaures
Walk 45 GR 131 –Ayagaures to Faro de Maspalomas

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Topographical glossary
Appendix C Useful contacts 

Seasons

High summer is popular, but too hot for walking. Good winter walking is possible, with only a very rare chance of snow on high mountains. Spring is ideal and autumn is tolerable.

Centres

Most people stay in the city or resorts - Las Palmas, Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés - but there are quieter alternatives.

Difficulty

Routes vary from short and easy to long and arduous. Many paths are rough and stony, so good footwear is required. The highest mountains are sometimes covered by low cloud, but sun protection will be needed more than waterproofs. Plenty of water should be carried in some arid places.

Must See

Rugged, well-settled uplands dominated by towers of rock - Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga. Long-distance coast to coast route. Deep and rugged barrancos. Scenery from mountains to extensive pine and laurisilva forests, with semi-desert and amazing cliff coastlines. Peaceful and charming rural locations, despite being in one of the world's most popular holiday spots.

February 2024

Walks 41 to 45

February 2021

Maps

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