Canary Islands Walking - Gran Canaria

Day 1 - Join Trip in Aguimes
Our trip starts in Aguimes a small, traditional town in the east of Gran Canaria. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Aguimes at any time. If you miss the meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. We don't provide arrival transfers on this tour, but information on how to reach the hotel will be provided in your final documentation. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to explore the narrow streets of the historic old town in Aguimes, wander to the Parish Church of San Sebastian to soak up the neoclassical architecture or find a quiet cafe and acclimatise to the relaxed pace of life.

Day 2 - Circular Walk to The Guayadeque Canyon
Today, we'll set off on our first walk, heading to one of the island's biggest landmarks, the Guayadeque Canyon. Running southeast along the slopes of Pico de las Nieves, the canyon is a hiking hot spot thanks to its wild, winding pathways, unique plants and sweeping other-worldly vistas. As we get closer to the gorge, you'll notice the volcanic landscape take on a lunar feel reminiscent of the canyons of North America. Inhabited since the Stone Age, the area is fairytale-esque with ancient cave dwellings carved into the lava rock. The rugged landscape is awash with native flora and fauna and as we walk there are traces of lava fields, left behind from an eruption of the smaller volcano. There is the option to visit the visitor centre and museum for anyone looking for more insight into the geological and human history of the area. Later we leave the gorge and head up to the ridge and the Degollada Bermeja pass before heading back to Aguimes on a gentle descent through open countryside and meadows. Please note, there is little shade in the countryside around Aguimes. Strong sun protection is a must as well as a sun hat. Today's 12-kilometre/7.4-mile walk is expected to take around four hours with 550 metres/1,804 feet of ascent and descent.

Day 3 - Walk to The Base of Roque Nublo and See Acusa Seca Cave Dwellings
This morning, we'll drive west to Degollada del Aserrador. From here, we'll walk uphill on a picturesque trail to the plateau with views of Roque Nublo mountain. A gentle ascent brings us to the base of Roque Nublo, the landmark rock of Gran Canaria, where we'll have views across the island and - weather permitting - across to neighbouring islands of the Canaries. After a picnic lunch, we'll descend to La Culata where we'll have a rest stop in a café before continuing to Acusa Seca by bus. On arrival, we'll set off for a shorter walk to see the ancient cave dwellings. Then, we'll drive to La Aldea, our base for the next three nights. Today's combined 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walks are expected to take around four-and-a-half hours in total. The first walk has 380 metres/1,246 feet of ascent and 560 metres/1,837 feet of descent and the second walk has 20 metres/65 feet of ascent and 220 metres/721 feet of descent.

Day 4 - Ancient Village Trail
Hopping on the local public bus this morning, we'll travel a short distance to the start of today's walk at the Aldea Pass (700 metres/2,296 feet). From here, we'll follow an ancient pathway that once connected the villages of La Aldea, Tasarte and Veneguara. It's an undulating trail with one steep but short downhill section. On our left-hand side, we'll see the impressive walls of Los Azulejos, green layered rock sheets topped by the Inagua Forest. When we reach the village church of Veneguera, we'll take a short break for lunch before continuing our walk over the last pass that leads us into the Barranco de Mogan. Here, there'll be time for a coffee break while we wait for the public bus that will take us back to La Aldea. Today's 11-kilometre/6.8-mile walk is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with 200 metres/656 feet of ascent and 400 metres/1,312 feet of descent.

Day 5 - Free Day. Opportunity to Relax or Walk Along The Coast of La Aldea
Today is free for you to relax or take on an extra, optional walk. You might like to relax and enjoy village life in La Aldea, or head to the nearby beach, 5 kilometres/3 miles away. Further afield, you could visit the city of Galdar and see the Cueva Pintada Museum to learn about aboriginal life on the islands before stopping off for a dip in the ocean on your way back. Alternatively, keen walkers might like to head out on a coastal walk in the vicinity of La Aldea, with great views across the Atlantic Ocean. Today's optional 6-kilometre/3.7-mile walk is expected to take around two hours with 200 metres/656 feet of ascent and descent.

Day 6 - Visit Tejeda Village and Walk Pico de Las Nieves
This morning, we'll drive to the village of Tejeda (1,050 metres/3,445 feet) for a stroll through the old village and a pit stop for coffee. From there, we'll continue by bus to the vicinity of Pico de las Nieves (1,942 metres/6,371 feet), the highest peak of the island. Here, we'll walk up to the peak with with fabulous views, before continuing down to Degollada de los Gaatos (1790 metres/5872 feet) and enjoy a picnic lunch with views of Roque Nublo. We'll descend to Cruz Grande where the bus is waiting and head to San Bartolome for a coffee stop. Finally we drive back to Aguimes for our final two nights. Today's 9-kilometre/5.6-mile walk is expected to take around four hours with 150 metres/492 feet of ascent and 800 metres/2,624 feet of descent.

Day 7 - Visit Santa Lucia Village, Walk Part of Camino Real Via Temisas Back to Aguimes
Today, we'll travel by local bus (a 50-minute journey) to Santa Lucia for our long but scenic walk back down to Aguimes. As we start our descent, we'll pass an old maize mill, before walking down into the Hondo Ravine and up to Lomo de Don Pedro. We'll continue eastwards to the village of Temisas, following signed trails, then part of a 'Camino Real' marked out by stones to Aguimes town. Today's 15-kilometre/9.3-mile walk is expected to take around five-and-a-half hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and 950 metres/3,116 feet of descent.

Day 8 - Trip Ends in Aguimes
Our tour ends after breakfast at our hotel in Aguimes. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Aguimes at any time. We don't provide airport transfers but the airport is easy to reach in around 20 minutes. Our tour leader will be on hand to help you book a taxi or catch the local bus. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.