Gran Canaria: Island of Contrasts

This trip is best suited to keen walkers looking to experience an authentic side of Gran Canaria. Daily walks are between 4.5 and 7.5 hrs a day, with some long ascents and descents. There are also a couple of sections with steep drop offs and it is not suited to anybody with vertigo. You will stay overnight in small and traditionally Canarian rural guest houses and hotels.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Islands, Winter Sun

This walking tour is graded Moderate to Strenuous overall even though most days in themselves are graded on the higher end of moderate. Walks are 4.5 to 7.5 hrs a day, with some long ascents and descents (max of 1300m in ascent, 715m in descent). The walks follow rural tracks, both surfaced and un-surfaced, footpaths and animal trails. You may encounter some loose rock, or muddy / slippery sections in wet weather.  The ascents and descents can be steep and footpaths rough. There are also some sections with steep drop-offs so this tour is not particularly suitable to anybody with vertigo. The higher areas may experience occasional snow during early spring and weather conditions up high may be totally different from those experienced in the valleys, so always take extra warm clothing with you. From June till September you should protect yourself against sun and heat and ensure you have plenty of drinking water. You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday. We also recommend taking walking poles for the steep descents.

It is also possible to shorten most days or there are some alternatives to avoid sections with the steepest drop offs and if you choose the easier options on each day the grading of the tour would be moderate overall, but this tour is not particularly suitable if you do suffer from vertigo at all.

You will spend seven nights in comfortable rural hotels. All are good family run hotels, with an authentic atmosphere and great hospitality. The rooms are simply but comfortably decorated and have en suite bathrooms. 

Please note that some hotels may only offer twin-bedded rooms (no double beds available).

Occasionally we may need to use alternative hotels depending on availability.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

Solo Walkers

Unfortunately, this walk is not available to solo walkers due to the remote nature of some of the walks

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning. You also have 3 dinners included in the cost of your trip (1 dinner at each location you stay at). On the other night's you will be free to choose from one of the many local eateries/restaurants or cafe's.

The routes on this trip are generally way marked but you will need to follow the route notes and maps supplied.

Navigation is also made easier as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has your maps and gps tracks information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simpler.

You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

You can start this holiday on any date during the year as Gran Canaria enjoys a year-round pleasant climate. High season runs from 1st November to 30th April & Low Season from 1st May - 31st October. Option & Extension prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

High temperatures can be experienced during the peak summer months of July and August and extra water should be carried at this time to ensure you stay hydrated. Unless you enjoy the heat and have walked in high temperatures before, you may be best to avoid this time of year when the weather can make the walking more challenging. 

Getting to/from Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Las Palmas airport is served by numerous low cost and charter flights from throughout the UK. These include Easyjet, Ryanair, Thomson, and Air Europa. Flying time is just over 4 hours. Other airlines fly from throughout Europe and connect from further afield.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover illness, injury, cancellation or curtailment of your holiday.