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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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!
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!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
*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,
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:
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
Gran Canaria hiking, self-guided tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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!