Full Description
Gran Canaria is far more than a beach destination. Away from the coastal resorts lies a remarkably varied interior of deep volcanic barrancos, ancient laurisilva forests, pine-covered ridges and the dramatic rock formations of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, rising from the island's rugged highland core. Known as a continent in miniature, Gran Canaria packs an extraordinary range of landscapes into a single island.
With walks varying from short and easy to long and demanding, this comprehensive guidebook by expert Paddy Dillon covers 40 day walks and a five-stage GR131 coast-to-coast route across Gran Canaria. Day walks range from 5 to 22km (3 to 14 miles) and take between 2 and 7 hours, while the GR131 covers 77km (48 miles) in five stages from Puerto de las Nieves to Maspalomas.
40 day walks across Gran Canaria's most varied terrain, from the central highlands around Cruz de Tejeda and Tejeda to the Tamadaba pine forest, La Aldea, Mogán and the sand dunes of Maspalomas, with shorter walks combinable into longer itineraries
The GR131 coast-to-coast route, described in five stages, crosses Gran Canaria from north to south as part of the long-distance trail that traverses all seven Canary Islands, offering a memorable multi-day walking experience
Iconic highlights include Roque Nublo, one of Gran Canaria's most recognisable landmarks, Roque Bentayga, the Caldera de Bandama and the high point of Pico de las Nieves, the island's highest summit
1:50,000 mapping for every walk alongside practical information on public transport, facilities and access, making it straightforward to reach trailheads without a car from Las Palmas or the southern resorts
A year-round walking destination, with spring the ideal season, winter offering reliable good weather on lower routes
Gran Canaria's walking landscape is one of the best-kept secrets in the Canary Islands, where deep barrancos, ancient forests and volcanic ridges sit just a bus ride from the beach resorts. This guidebook is your essential companion for discovering every part of it.
Discover the rest of the Canary Islands with
Walking in Tenerife, Walking on La Palma, Walking on La Gomera and El Hierro
and
Walking on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
available for purchase separately.
Contents
Map key
Overview map
Location of walks
Introduction
Location
Geology
Wildlife
National parks
The Fortunate Isles
Getting there
When to go
Accommodation
Health and safety
Food and drink
Language
Money
Communications
Walking on Gran Canaria
Introduction
Getting there
Getting around
What to take
Waymarking and access
Maps
Food and drink
Tourist information offices
Emergencies
Using this guide
Santa Brígida and San Mateo
Walk 1 Las Palmas to Santa Brígida
Walk 2 Las Meleguinas to Las Lagunetas
Walk 3 Las Lagunetas and Cruz de Tejeda
Walk 4 Santa Brígida to Teror
Walk 5 San Mateo to Teror
Walk 6 Pico de Bandama and Caldera de Bandama
Valleseco and Teror
Walk 7 Cruz de Tejeda to Teror
Walk 8 Cruz de Tejeda to Valleseco
Walk 9 Cruz de La Laguna and Valsendero
Walk 10 Cruz de La Laguna and Las Madres
Artenara and Tamadaba
Walk 11 Moriscos to Santa María de Guía
Walk 12 Artenara to Tamadaba
Walk 13 San Pedro and Tamadaba
Walk 14 Artenara and Vega de Acusa
La Aldea
Walk 15 Altavista to La Aldea
Walk 16 La Aldea to El Risco
Walk 17 Albercón, Güigüí and Tas&##xe1;rtico
Walk 18 Montaña del Viso and La Aldea
Mog&##xe1;n and Las Presas
Walk 19 El Aserrador and El Carrizal
Walk 20 El Aserrador and El Juncal
Walk 21 Presa de las Niñas and Morillo de San Juan
Walk 22 Cruz de San Antonio to Las Casillas
Walk 23 Camino de las Presas
Tejeda and La Culata
Walk 24 Tejeda and Cruz de Tejeda
Walk 25 Tejeda and La Culata
Walk 26 Degollada Becerra and La Culata
Walk 27 Roque Nublo from La Goleta
Walk 28 Cruz Grande to Ayacata
Walk 29 Llanos de Garañón and Pico de las Nieves
San Bartolom&##xe9;
Walk 30 Santa Lucía and Pico de las Nieves
Walk 31 San Bartolom&##xe9; and Cruz Grande
Walk 32 San Bartolom&##xe9; to Arteara
Walk 33 Arteara to Ayagaures
Walk 34 Dunas de Maspalomas
Valsequillo
Walk 35 Siete Fuentes to San Mateo
Walk 36 San Mateo to Valsequillo
Walk 37 Valsequillo to Santa Brígida
Walk 38 El Rincón and Cuevas Blancas
Walk 39 Tenteniguada and Caldera de los Marteles
Walk 40 Caldera de los Marteles to Valsequillo
GR 131 - Puerto de las Nieves to Maspalomas
Walk 41 GR 131 - Puerto de las Nieves to Tamadaba
Walk 42 GR 131 -Tamadaba to Cruz de Tejeda
Walk 43 GR 131 - Cruz de Tejeda to San Bartolom&##xe9;;
Walk 44 GR 131 -San Bartolom&##xe9; to Ayagaures
Walk 45 GR 131 -Ayagaures to Faro de Maspalomas
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Topographical glossary
Appendix C Useful contacts
