Self-Guided Gran Canaria
Self-Guided Gran Canaria
Self-Guided Gran Canaria
8 Days Starting in Aguimes and ending in Puerto de las Nieves
Visiting: Spain, Canary Islands
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WSGC
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Low, Medium, Moderate
Age range:
Adult
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Meat, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover great walking trails on this self-guided walking holiday to Gran Canaria. This journey takes you from the east to the west of the island through dramatic and varied volcanic landscapes, often on the classic paths, the 'Caminos Reales'. Hike through Guayadeque Gorge, to the summit of the island's highest peak - Pico de la Nieves (1949m), and around the distinctive landmark of Roque Nublo as you explore the island.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Trip Starts At Gran Canaria Airport. Taxi To Aguimes
Accommodation: Hotel
Upon your arrival at Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), you will be driven to Aguimes on the south-eastern part of the island, where you'll spend the next two nights. The rest of the day is free to relax, perhaps taking a short wander through the medieval streets of the small old town before dinner.
We are currently working on two alternative routes that will replace day 4 (Altavista Ridge) & day 6 (Tejeda - Fagajesto). These are the areas which are the most affected by the recent fires (Updated October 2019).
Day 2: Discover The Natural Beauty Of Guayadeque Gorge
Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast, today starts with a transfer to the start of the trail. You'll spend today amongst the towering cliffs of the Guayadeque gorge, the largest ravine in the Canary Islands. Home to many endemic species, some say this hidden gem is one of the most beautiful places on the island. The gorge was also home to the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands and you can still see the remains of their cave houses along the way.
Today's walk is 11.5 kilometres long and should take around 4.5-5 hours. Total ascent is 400 metres and descent 820 metres.
Day 3: Climb To The Summit Of Gran Canaria's Highest Peak
Accommodation: Hotel
Depending on how energetic you're feeling and how much distance you'd like to cover, you have a choice of three start points for today's route, all with the aim of reaching the top of Gran Canaria's highest peak, Pico de las Nieves. At 1,949 metres high the views from the summit are incredible. It can often be cold and misty at the top but if the weather is good, you will be able to see over the surrounding mountains and maybe even as far as the neighbouring Canary Islands: Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Gomera. As you begin to descend, your final destination is the village of Tejeda, where you will spend the next three nights, set amongst the mountains of central Gran Canaria.
Today's walk is 19 or 11 kilometres long with 450, or 50 metres of ascent and 900 metres of descent; the longest route should take around 7 hours, the shortest should take around 4 hours.
Day 4: Circular Walk From Tejeda To Roque Bentayga
Accommodation: Hotel
Today's walk is an easy route leading to the UNESCO heritage site of Roque Bentayga. Your route starts and ends in Tejeda, so no transfers are required. Leaving your hotel, first you walk down into the Barranco de Tejeda then back up a zigzag path to the road to Roque Bentayga. Next, if you choose, you do an optional section on tarmac to reach the visitors\ centre. The next part follows a narrow footpath along the ridge to the vista point at Cruz de Timagada, and the last section takes you through two small villages on your way back down to Tejeda.
Today's walk is either 10 kilometres taking approximately 5 hours with 700 metres of ascent and descent, or 14.5 kilometres taking approximately 6.5 hours with 900 metres of ascent and descent.
After the walk, you'll have time to visit the Spice Centre in Tejeda for an insight into the traditional use of medicinal plants on the island. There's a botanical garden and laboratory, and you'll have the option of sampling different spices. Tejeda also has a small museum and cultural centre with ongoing exhibits. This evening,, enjoy the sunset from the hotel (roof-top) terrace, with the silhouette of Bentayga Peak in the background.
Day 5: Walk To Roque Nublo; Forests And Ravines
Accommodation: Hotel
Starting directly from the hotel, today's route traverses the gorgeously steep terrain around Roque Nublo, a rocky outcrop teetering on the edge of a plateau. This may not be the highest peak on the island but it is certainly the most easily identifiable, as it's visible from almost anywhere on the island. After a kilometre the tarmac gives way to steep paths which zigzag up towards Roque Nublo. The peak's volcanic origins become evident higher up and you gaze hundreds of meters down steeply eroded ravines. Descend through a peaceful pine forest to reach a col from where you can catch a bus back to Tejeda or continue on foot to the village.
Todays walk is 12 kilometres long, with 800 metres of ascent and 400 metres of descent, and should take around 5.5 hours.
If you feel like walking further, you have the option of continuing down along the old Camino Real back to the village. This adds 2 hours and 8km to your walk, with 400 metres extra in descent, 75 metres extra in ascent.
Day 6: Circular Walk From Firgas
Accommodation: Hotel
Leaving Tejeda behind today, the next and final destination is Agaete on the north west coast of Gran Canaria, where you'll spend your final two nights. On your way there, you will do a spectacular route in the Barranco de Aumartel. A taxi transfer takes you to the start of the walk, a route which leads down into the gorge then along an adventurous traverse with a bit of scrambling (there's an optional shortcut to avoid this section, if you wish). The last section circles back up to Firgas, where you'll be met for the transfer to your next hotel.
The walk today is 12.5 kilometres and takes approximately 6.5 hours. Total ascent is 1000 metres and descent 850 metres.
Day 7: Walk Along The Camino Real Above Agaete Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
A taxi will take will take you to the village of San Pedro for the start of today's walk along the Camino Real. Ascending to the top of Montana Bibique (645m), a rugged outcrop at the top of steep cliffs, you'll have fabulous views over the Agaete Valley. From here you may wish to walk further on to Mirador Vuelta de la Paloma at 850 metres, which adds an extra 5 kilometres to the route. Alternatively you can continue along a narrow gravel path back down to Puerto de las Nieves and your hotel.
Today's final walk is 9 kilometres and takes approximately 4.5 hours. The total ascent is 630 metres and descent is 650 metres. The additional walk via the view point is an extra 7 kilometres which adds an additional ascent and descent of 60 metres and takes approximately another 2 hours.
Day 8: Trip Ends At Gran Canaria Airport
Today a taxi will pick you up and take you to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), where the trip ends. If you do not require this transfer, please do let our self-guided team know.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals – Breakfast Only
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews of this Operator
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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