DAY 2
Explore the Great Caldera
For our first walk of the week, we start our hike 1500 metres above sea level near the ridge that divides the verdant north and the arid south of the island. We will experience magnificent views while walking along our route under the shade of Canarian pine trees . The path reaches Moriscos, its highest point (1750m), and continues along the edge of Caldera de Tejeda, offering breathtaking views across its huge 16km volcanic depression, the result of a gigantic collapse that hollowed out the centre of the island. After a gentle walk through the pine forest, we explore ‘Cuevas del Caballero’, a group of pre-Hispanic caves on the edge of the Caldera’s wall.
We end our walk at the troglodyte village of Artenara, one of the highest settlements in Spain, located 1270 metres above sea level and famous for its fabulous cave dwellings. We have the chance to visit one of these caves at Casa Cueva museum, a charming example of how the locals lived just a few decades ago.
- Length 8km
- Ascent +300m
- Descent -650m
- Transfers 1 hour each way
- Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
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DAY 4
Hike the Verdant North
In contrast to the arid and rugged southern and inland areas, the northern midlands of
Gran Canaria are home to gentle landscapes covered by a lush vegetation all year
round. Here, we can appreciate the nature in all its splendour, with an incredible variety of flora. Comprising of more than 2000 plant species, some 600 are exclusive to this archipelago. On today’s hike, we explore the rural and forested areas of this area of Gran Canaria, whose name, ‘Bosque de
Doramas’ evokes the last hero of the indigenous resistance against the Castilians in
the 15th century.
The route traverses beautiful nature reserves that include examples of euphorbia and laurel forests as well as other typical endemic plants from the Canaries, such as dragon trees and Canarian palm trees. We walk between the villages of Teror, Firgas, Moya and Fontanales, enjoying the beautiful landscape that boasts a rural charm and variety of local plants and flowers.
- Length 8km
- Ascent +450m
- Descent -450m
- Transfers 45min each way
- Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
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DAY 5
Climb to the foot of the Sacred Monolith
We start today’s walk in the centre of Gran Canaria, on the high plateau that constitutes the most renowned landscapes on the island. We take a beautiful path through a forest of Canary Island pines with stunning panoramas of Roque Nublo the emblematic rocky peak of Gran Canaria. If it’s clear, in the distance can see the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera. After discovering the ‘Ventana del Nublo’ – the Magical Window, one of the most surprising geological landmarks on the island, we walk towards Roque Nublo. This enormous basalt monolith, over 80 metres high, is the geological symbol of Gran Canaria and was once venerated by the Guanches – aboriginal people who inhabited the Canary Islands before the arrival of Europeans.
The final climb to the foot of the monolith, offers us magnificent views of the spectacular Caldera de Tejeda, the sacred ‘Roque Bentayga’, and the deep canyons that cut through the west of the island.
- Length 9.5km
- Ascent +500m
- Descent -650m
- Transfers 1.5 hours each way
- Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
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DAY 7
Discover the Tropical Valley
Our hike begins more than 800m above sea level, at the head of Agaete valley,
located in the northwest of Gran Canaria. We are surrounded by the beautiful views
of this secluded area, where several water reservoirs cover the rocky bottom of the
ravine. After a short ascent, our hike becomes largely downhill. Our route takes us past the troglodyte hamlet of ‘El Hornillo’, with its cave houses excavated into the impressive cliffs. We then take an old path with views of the valley and the sea, taking us down to the hamlet of ‘El Sao’ – famous for its old water mills. Later, we walk through a small pine tree forest, just above the derelict 19th century spa which started health tourism in the Canaries in the 1900s.
The path finally reaches the bottom of the valley. From then on, it crosses through tropical fruit orchards that have made this valley so famous. Its particular micro climate allows for a great variety of tropical crops, such as avocados, bananas, guavas, mangoes, oranges. Its real claim to fame however is that it is the only area in Europe with its own local coffee production.
- Length 7.5km
- Ascent +120m
- Descent -750m
- Transfers 50mins out / 15 mins return
- Breakfast, Picnic Lunch & Dinner
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