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Gran Canaria Self-Guided Hike Along the GR131

The subtropical Gran Canaria island off the Atlantic coast of Morocco reveals more diversity and spectacular landscapes than you could imagine. You can expect anything from sun-kissed beaches and surreal dunes to lush pine forests and volcanic formations—and with this 8-day self-guided hiking tour, you’ll get to see it all. Starting from the north of the island, you’ll traverse 50 miles (80 km) along the GR131 all the way to the south, accumulating almost 12,000 ft (3,660 m) of elevation gain! Though the ever-changing trails will make this journey a bit of a challenge, the rewards are immense! Charming and traditional accommodation is booked for you, and you also don’t have to worry about airport and luggage transfers as well as maps and directions. Happy hiking in the sunny Gran Canaria!

Adventure highlights

  • Amazing cultural experience
    Don’t miss out on Gran Canaria’s vibrant culture, delicious tapas, and traditional restaurants
  • 50 miles of captivating scenery
    Let the GR131 lead you along the island’s rugged terrain, dramatic cliffs, terraced slopes, sunny beaches, and more
  • Walk at your own pace
    Apart from all logistics sorted for you, a major pro of a self-guided tour is that you walk as fast or as relaxed as you wish

Itinerary

Lace up your hiking boots and head to the sunny Gran Canaria island for an epic, self-guided hiking tour! This island, just off the Atlantic coast of Morocco, is a subtropical paradise boasting the most diverse scenery imaginable. One day you’re hiking through terraced slopes and lush forests, the other you’re in the midst of an arid, remote landscape. You can expect beautiful views, total peace and quiet in lots of places, and some challenging hiking. Make things easier for yourself, skip months of planning, and book a self-guided tour—charming lodgings, most breakfasts, airport and luggage transfers, and maps, all of that will be sorted for you. You just focus on taking in everything Gran Canaria has to offer!

  • Upon arrival at the airport, you will be taken to your accommodation in Agaete. You will spend the night in a comfortable lodging with breakfast included. There is a nearby supermarket where you can stock up on food and drinks for the next day, as the first day will be a tough trek without any restaurants or supermarkets along the way.

    Accommodation: Casa rural, finca, or hotel

    Charming Agaete town, Gran Canaria Small Vegetable Garden In Agaete, Gran Canaria
  • From the port, leave for Artenara via the Tamada nature reserve, an area declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. You will see the fabulous natural indigenous Canarian pine forests on the mountain tops, the dizzyingly steep cliffs of the almost inaccessible coast, and rich biodiversity of the ravines. Today, you will ascend to 1,300 m (4,265 ft). The first 8 km (5 miles) involve a climb to 1,200 m (3,940 ft) and a spectacular walk up to Artenara. Artenara is a small mountain village with several cave houses still inhabited today, and a chapel built in a cave in honor of the Virgen de la Cuevita. You will stay in a cave with a view over the middle point of Gran Canaria. This is a unique experience, so be prepared to be surprised!

    Hiking: 20 km / 12.5 miles
    Elevation: +1,660 m (+5,445 ft) / -440 m (-1,445 ft)
    Accommodation: Cave house

    Hiking to Artenara, Gran Canaria
  • This is an additional stage. Tejeda is one of the nicest villages in Gran Canaria. On the way from Artenara to Tejeda, you will walk through Cruz de Tejeda. Take a look at the stalls and rest here for a moment. Weather can be variable, ranging from cold and foggy to sunny. The journey to your lovely hostel with a fantastic view goes via Tejeda, where there are many food and drink options. Expect lots of forest and a change in weather. Once over the top, the clouds often remain on the north side, and you enter a different climate—not always, but very often!

    Hiking: 11 km / 6.8 miles
    Elevation: +570 m (+1,870 ft) / -740 m (-2,430 ft)
    Accommodation: Casa rural, finca, or hotel

    Charming house in Gran Canaria
  • Tejeda has been declared one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. That’s why you get two nights here. You can use the extra day as a walking day or you can use this day as a rest day! You will be given an extra walking route to explore the most beautiful area.

    Hiking: 10 km / 6 miles
    Elevation: +580 m (+1,900 ft) / -580 m (-1,900 ft)
    Accommodation: Casa rural, finca, or hotel

    Hiking group doing the GR131 in Gran Canaria
  • Continue to the highest point of this trek. The town of Cruz de la Tejeda is enroute, where you can take a break. This is the most beautiful part of the tour of Gran Canaria. Enjoy the changing weather, the sheep walking everywhere, the silence, and the spectacular views. It’s a tough journey but very rewarding! Once you reach the top, you will begin the descent to San Bartolomé de Tirajana, going from 1,700 m (5,580 ft) to 900 m (2,950 ft). You will stay overnight in a casa rural in the middle of Tunte.

    Hiking: 20 km / 12.5 miles
    Elevation: +810 m (+2,660 ft) / -990 m (-3,250 ft)
    Accommodation: Casa rural, finca, or hotel

    Gran Canaria, GR131 hike
  • A relatively short walking day today. From San Bartolomé, you will leave descending to your next accommodation, arriving just in time to have an afternoon of rest. For those who want, there is a longer walk.

    Hiking: 10 km / 6 miles OR 20 km (12.5 miles)
    Elevation: +90 m (+295 ft) / -630 m (-2,070 ft) OR +430 m (1,410 ft) / -1,030 m (3,380 ft)
    Accommodation: Casa rural, finca, or hotel

     

    Rugged GR131, Gran Canaria
  • The last stage of this journey goes mostly downhill to Maspalomas*. Along the way, you will have a beautiful view of the reservoir. Walk via the Barranco, descending further to Maspalomas. The endpoint of this route is at the lighthouse in Maspalomas, in the midst of bustling tourism. A nice accommodation awaits you here, where you will stay for another night or two, depending on your Day 7.

    Hiking: 18 km / 11 miles
    Elevation: +164 m (+540 ft) / -458 m (-1,505 ft)
    Accommodation: Casa rural, finca, or hotel

    *It is possible to stay for 2 nights in Maspalomas. In that case, one night in Tejeda will be canceled and an extra fee has to be paid. Please let us know if interested upon booking.

    Sand dunes meet the Atlantic Ocean. Top view of Maspalomas sand dunes. Aerial view of Gran Canaria Island. Ocean meets sand dunes on the Canary islands. Canary Islands, Spain.Waves crashing the sandy seashore. Beautiful landscape with huge sand dunes.
  • Your self-guided adventure comes to an end today. You’ll be dropped off at the airport if you’re leaving the same day, or you can stay a bit longer and we’ll help you arrange the rest of your time in Gran Canaria if you wish!

    Lighthouse of Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
  • Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
    Also note that your chosen dates for the tour are not guaranteed until confirmed by the guide. If the guide is unable to secure your preferred dates/accommodation, you’ll get a full refund!

Adventure brochure
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Meet your guide

Canary Hiking
5.00
Canary Hiking
Canary Hiking gathers hiking specialists who love to share their passion for the Canary Islands with other people. They offer excursions, special stays, complete tours, island hopping, multi-day hikes, and more custom-made adventures! Whatever your goal is on the sunny Canary Islands, they can make it happen—whether it’s spending the night on the edge of a volcano or tasting local wine in authentic bodegas after hiking in the mountains.

Accommodation

5.00 (4 reviews)
Jelena Casier (source: Google Reviews)

We did the GR 131 in Gran Canaria. We are very pleased that we chose Canary Hiking to book this trip. Everything was very well organised, luggage transport went without any problems. Jeanne is always easily accessible for questions and does her best to respond to all wishes. Recommended!

Hilde Weytjens (source: Google Reviews)

Booked a walking holiday in Gran Canaria with a group of 12 friends through Canary hiking. We took very nice walks from 2 fantastic locations. Everything was perfectly prepared by Jeanne. During the preparation, she always makes time to answer your questions and tailor the trip completely to your wishes. Gran Canaria pleasantly surprised us. The Parador at Cruz de Tejeda is a fantastic base. The wellness with the swimming pool with an incredible view is magical. Hotel Rocanegra in Agaete has the added advantage of the ‘natural pools’ that we enjoyed every day, both in the morning before breakfast and after our walks. Transfers were arranged. Nothing went wrong. Top organised. We had a fantastic, carefree holiday thanks to Canary Hiking!

Berthelle Passchier (source: Google Reviews)

CANary Hiking tailor-made a trip for me. 10 days of walking and occasionally resting in Gran Canaria. Well taken care of from start to finish, transport of me and then of my suitcase went smoothly. Deserved a big 10!

Marloes Rooijakkers (source: Google Reviews)

Wonderful walking tour in Gran Canaria, alone. The route was mapped out, nice accommodations booked, in short everything was perfectly organised. All I had to do was follow the navigation and take the steps :-).

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • 8-day Gran Canaria self-guided hiking tour
      • Airport transfers
      • Luggage transfers (for a minimum of 2 hikers signed up)
      • Accommodation
      • Most breakfasts (some small-scaled accommodations do not offer breakfast, but your guides will provide you with information where to get breakfast)
      • Travel guarantee STO

    What’s not included:

      • Flights to Fuerteventura
      • Lunches, dinners, snacks, drinks
      • Single supplement — $320, available to add upon checkout
      • Luggage transfer supplement for one person — $145, must be added upon checkout if signing up solo
      • Any transfers outside the program
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
      • Mountaineering insurance — strongly recommended

    *Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).

  • To fully enjoy and participate in this Gran Canaria hiking, self-guided trip, a good level of physical fitness is necessary. The trip encompasses a series of daily hikes, each involving varying degrees of elevation gain and descent. The terrain traverses ranges from mountainous paths to quiet villages,

      • You’ll be walking on unpaved paths, covering distances of around 6.8 to 12.4 miles (11 to 20 kilometers) per day.
      • You must have good endurance, as the hikes involve significant elevation changes, with the most difficult day featuring 1,660 m (5,450 ft) of elevation gain. In general, you can expect some steep uphill and downhill sections.
      • Be prepared for 6 days of hiking in a row, 6 to 8 hours per day.

    If this trip sounds too challenging for you and you’d prefer something a little more relaxed, check out our other walking holidays in the Canary Islands!

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional, available to rent
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Hiking boots and hiking socks
      • Comfortable hiking clothes
      • Shorts
      • Long comfortable trousers
      • T-shirts
      • Warm clothes
      • Windbreaker
      • Sunhat
      • Swimwear
      • Flip flops
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate Gran Canaria GR131 yourself, using resources provided by the operator, such as maps, guidebooks, audio guides, or digital apps.

    Your guide will also take care of other things for this Gran Canaria hiking, self-guided tour, such as accommodation, breakfasts, airport transfers, and luggage transfers.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • This Gran Canaria hiking, self-guided tour can run even if only one person signs up, but in that case, single supplement is mandatory (and you can add it upon checkout).
      • The maximum number of people for this tour is set at 4 participants. If there are more, some accommodations need to be changed. Please contact us if there are more than 4 people interested.
      • The tour can most likely be booked up to three weeks before departure, but it all depends on the availability of accommodation. As soon as accommodation is confirmed, the tour can go ahead.
      • Please note that your chosen dates for the tour are not guaranteed until confirmed by the guide. If the guide is unable to secure your preferred dates/accommodation, you’ll get a full refund!

    Gran Canaria hiking, self-guided tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • The starting point of your Gran Canaria hiking, self-guided tour is Las Palmas Gran Canaria Airport (LPA). Once you get there, your guides will organize transportation for you and you’ll get transferred to your accommodation for the night.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

    With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

    We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Deposits
    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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