Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
Highlights
Aguimes | Guayadeque Canyon | Tejeda | Artenara | Roque Nublo | Inagua ForestDescription of Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
This week-long walking tour of Gran Canaria is the perfect way to catch some winter sun while exploring the historic mountain trails of the island. The dramatic, volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands are best enjoyed with an energising hike – so lace up your walking boots and let’s go.Starting in Aguimes, near the eastern coast, we’ll wind our way through craggy, sun-baked scenery, past the highest point on the island, Pico de las Nieves, to the mountain villages in the west of Gran Canaria. Highlights include the deep gorges of the Guayadeque Canyon, where we will discover the remains of a lava field and former cave dwellings, and reaching the summit of Roque Nublo, an iconic landmark. Rust-red mountain passes open out onto lush, semi-tropical valleys and the fresh-smelling pines of the Inagua Forest.
Travelling as a small group, guided by expert leaders local to the area, we’ll stay in small hotels well away from the traditional tourist route and dine al fresco on typical Canarian cuisine. Walks are mostly moderate, with five days spent on our feet. Routes vary between 10 and 17km, around two to six hours of walking each day, and trekking is done along well-maintained trails – although spectacular views do mean a few dramatic drops alongside some of the paths. If you’re hungry for more, an optional, more challenging trek is also offered.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
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The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travellers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
Have big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your holiday time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
If you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your holiday.
Solo travellers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those travelling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travellers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travellers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travellers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Responsible tourism
Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
Carbon reduction
Your holiday will help support local people and conservation. We must also reduce CO2. Learn about the CO2 emissions of this holiday and how to reduce them.
Environment
On this in-depth tour of Gran Canaria we stay in a small, locally run hotel well away from the tourist hub to get an authentic feel of life in the Canary Islands. As our tour leader is from the island we'll get a unique insight into island life - something most visitors never experience!
Our main mode of transport on this trip is our own feet and all other transport is provided by local companies, supporting the local economy, as well as using public transport on some occasions to reduce the need to charter transport specially. All tap water in the Canary Islands is readily drinkable, so we urge you to take and use a water bottle rather than buying water to reduce pressure on the small islands’ limited resources for dealing with plastic waste.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.
3 Reviews of Gran Canaria walking tours, Canary Islands
Reviewed on 06 Mar 2019 by Jane Lucas
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Fantastic walks in the sunshine with a small group of like-minded people.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I was a bit anxious before the trip as I had never travelled solo before, but it turned out to be a great experience. The group of nine was a good mix of solo and couple travellers; all very friendly. Lunches and evening meals weren't included, but the optional meals organised by the guide were good value: allow less than 5 euros for picnic lunches and 15 euros for three course evening meals. We used public transport where possible; this was generally good but one bus driver was much too fast on hairpin bends and some of the group were travel sick.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used local buses and stayed in small hotels. Optional meals were organised in good local restaurants.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent
Reviewed on 03 Dec 2018 by Helen Jones
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The varied walking.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Walking reasonably strenuous so need to be used to steep ups and downs. Few places take cards, so go with plenty of cash (there are ATMs).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Made good use of local buses, and places chosen to eat out were run by local people with locally sourced food.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. We really enjoyed the scenery on this lovely island. Bert, the leader was excellent in his flexibility. Weather conditions meant it was not possible to get to the summit peak on the allotted day, but he chose a lovely alternative walk. Hotels were adequate. We liked the one in Aguimes, lots of atmosphere but the rooms were very poorly lit so it was difficult to read.
Reviewed on 25 Feb 2013 by Sarah Reeve
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hiking was fantastic in Gran Canaria. The group was ideal in that we all seemed to be similar abilities and ages and there was no fear of feeling left behind. The guide was very enthusiastic and encouraging. Always felt very confident in the routes.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The walking was quite challenging and should be entertained by walkers who are relatively fit and experienced only. The listing as moderate is fair and should be continued.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed in a small town 1.5 hours from the airport in a locally run hotel. There were few restaurants in the town and my impression was the group provided very welcome business to the town. The food appeared to be very fresh and locally produced.
As a group we made little environmental impact as simply spent the days walking mostly using public transport.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I thought the holiday was excellent as the members of the group got on exceptionally well with the ages and abilities very well matched.
As far as walking, fresh air, scenery and local food was concerned I would only recommend.
However, if one were looking for varied, gourmet food with a vibrant night life the town would not provide it. This to me was an advantage but if evening socialising was sought you might be disappointed. From my point of view it was ideal.
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