Walking In Gran Canaria

Arriving in Las Palmas we transfer to our hotel in the charming town of La Aldea de San Nicholas. Otherwise known locally as 'La Aldea', this will be our home for the next eight days. Located in a valley on the west coast of Gran Canaria the town is a big producer of bananas and tomatoes. The main attraction, however, is the beauty if the surrounding landscapes.

Overnight Standard Hotel

We start the day with a short transfer by public bus to the heights of Andén Verde at 600m altitude. This introductory walk takes us up into the arid, semi-desert like world to the heart of Gran Canaria. The peaks afford us great panoramic views across the north coast, which on a clear day include the Punta de Sardina, Puerto de las Nieves village, from where the ferry boat to Tenerife leaves and the small town of Gáldar. Upon reaching the first mountain pass (850m), the green Tamadaba Forest spreads out in front of us while overlooking steep sided valleys. After a picnic lunch on the ancient Camino Real, we will start our 2 hour descent back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. (4.5h walking time, 10km, +150m/-600m).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Hopping on the local public bus, we drive 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 Veneguera. 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 with the Inagua Forest at the top. 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 Mogán. Here there will be time for a coffee break while waiting for the public bus that will take us back to La Aldea. (4.5h walking time, 11km, +270m/-700m).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today has been left free to indulge yourself. You may wish to relax around the hotel today, enjoying the village life in La Aldea, or decide to go to its nearby unspoiled beach (5km). Maybe you want to visit the city of Gáldar and see the Cueva Pintada Museum to learn about aboriginal life on these islands. On your way back you may like to stop off for a dip in the ocean. Alternatively you might like to venture further a field, taking a local bus to the south coast, to explore the mighty sand dunes of Maspalomas and the Playa del Ingles. This is very much the lively end of the island with shops, beaches and even theme parks for those hankering for a little more ‘action’. The keen walkers have plenty of options as well today, a day trip by private coach can be organised along the Cumbre Viejo, the volcanic ridge that includes three highlights of the island: Roque Nublo (1732m), Pico de las Nieves (1949m) and the cave dwellings at Acusa, at each site you will have the chance for 1-2h walk.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We walk out of our village today, starting along a quiet road to Altenara where we meet with the ancient trail leading steeply up to a water channel connecting a reservoir lake with San Nicholás. Passing through a narrow gorge we continue up to an abandoned settlement of “fincas”, the remains of a former tough lifestyle in the interior. A steep section leads us to the next pass where we can see the village of Artenara and the Roque Nublo (1732m) in the distance. It is one of the highest peaks on the island and one of its most famous landmarks due to its unique shape. After passing an almond tree orchard we will stop to enjoy our picnic lunch on a rock outcrop with a fantastic 360 degrees views of the island before descending into the next valley covered with Palm trees. Later we arrive at the dam of the shimmering Siberio reservoir one of the many reservoirs in this corner of the island. There we meet our bus that takes us back to the hotel. (5-6hrs walking time, 14km, +500m/-300m).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Driving the short distance to the Aldea Pass, (700m) by public bus we start with a rugged trail with a gentle start then a steeper climb up to an altitude of 1000mts. From here several optional are availble. After enjoying the beautiful view from Viso Peak set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean you can walk back the same trail just climbed (3hrs, +300mt/-300mtr) or you may continue on the trail steeply down for another 3 hours amongst unique  flora until returning to San Nicolas (4.5 hrs walking, 13km=300mts/-940mts), and finally for the very keen walkers you may take the extension of the trail through the Inagua Forest (1150mts) along the majestic Canarian firs offering extraordinary views of the villages we walked through on day 3. After lunch we will descent steeply down to the public bus stop at Los Azulejos (5.5hrs, 16km,+300m/-600m).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

You may want to take it easy today and just go for a stroll down to the beach and the fish restaurants at the port. You may instead choose to take the bus to Puerto Mogán, a “Venetian style” tourist resort with lots of shops and places to sit, drink and watch the world go by. For more alternatives: see the options mentioned on Day 4. There’s also the option to take a swim in the local pool, next to the hotel, with sauna and jacuzzi facilities. Another option is a visit to a local tomato growing sorting and packing facility. The general director will be proud to show you around the industry which is a main source of income for those in the Aldea Valley.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Tour ends after breakfast. If you are staying on perhaps you might want to relax on one of the island's beaches.

Included meals: Breakfast