At the beginning of spring, we journeyed to the sunny island of Gran Canaria. Our main goal? Plenty of hiking and soaking up the much-needed vitamin D thanks to the sunny climate. Now, with numerous stunning walks under our belt, we can safely say that our mission has been accomplished. Gran Canaria has also met our high expectations. It’s the variety between picturesque towns and villages, beautiful beaches, and breathtaking landscapes that particularly appealed to us. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the versatile Gran Canaria, a sunny destination for an active holiday.

History of Gran Canaria

There are various theories about the early population of Gran Canaria. Research suggests a link with North Africa and the Berbers. The island was likely colonized around 500 BC. Most people and cultures that settled in the pre-Spanish period in the archipelago settled on Gran Canaria.

The conquest of the island took place during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs at the end of the 15th century. From that moment, the Crown of Castile began to exert political, social, and economic influence on Gran Canaria. The capital of Gran Canaria became the administrative center of the archipelago. In the 17th century, the splendor of Gran Canaria began to diminish due to a decrease in the export of agricultural products to America and Europe.

However, the emergence of the free port system in the nineteenth century brought a wave of international shipping. This led Gran Canaria to develop into a thriving tourist destination. Despite the two world wars and the Spanish Civil War, the island has managed to maintain its position as a beloved tourist destination.

The many outdoor activities on Gran Canaria

We primarily visited Gran Canaria for hiking. However, due to the diverse landscapes and climate, Gran Canaria also offers other outdoor activities such as cycling, horse riding, water sports, and playing golf. In this blog, we will go into more detail about the hiking and cycling possibilities.

Hiking on versatile Gran Canaria

We’ve previously enjoyed fantastic walks on the neighboring island of La Palma, known as the hiking island of the Canary Islands. Perhaps that’s why our expectations of the hiking opportunities on Gran Canaria weren’t particularly high. Ultimately, the island pleasantly surprised us. The volcanic island offers diverse and breathtaking nature, ranging from deeply carved barrancos to lush green oases, and from barren deserts to grassy plateaus.

Diverse landscape

Gran Canaria is a world of contrasts. In the south, you’ll find bone-dry desert areas and mountain landscapes, while in the north, there are evergreen laurel forests. The imposing central mountain range, the Cumbre, forms a climatic divide. The rugged, nearly two-kilometer-high mountain range of Gran Canaria acts as an insurmountable barrier to clouds from the northern Atlantic Ocean. The relatively high moisture content is a boon for the many plant species abundant in the north, including five hundred endemic species. By the way, we also saw this more or less reflected on La Palma.

Amazing hiking opportunities

The island harbours beautiful natural areas where we, as hiking enthusiasts, can easily spend hours enjoying. Such as the Tamadaba Nature Park, home to Gran Canaria’s largest primeval forest. You can climb to the top of Alta Vista or admire the Table Mountain of Acusa. Furthermore, the nature reserve of Las Dunas de Maspalomas in the south is an exceptional area for hiking. It features desert dunes and an oasis with a palm grove.

It’s primarily this varied landscape of Gran Canaria that particularly appeals to us. Every day was a delight with beautiful views, picturesque white villages built against the mountain slopes, and iconic rock formations such as Roque Nublo and Bentayga.

You can find an abundance of hiking trails on the official tourist website of Gran Canaria. It would take you many months to do them all. We didn’t find any GPX tracks, but the route descriptions are generally good. Additionally, most hiking trails are well marked. If you still want to hike based on a GPS track (GPX), also check out the websites of Komoot and AllTrails.

The most beautiful hiking trails on Gran Canaria

To help you make a choice from the particularly large offering of hiking trails, we’ve compiled some of the most beautiful walks for you:

• Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga – The walk to Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga offers an unforgettable experience. We found it to be quite busy with hikers, but the spectacular views, including Caldera de Tejeda, more than made up for it.
• Dunas de Maspalomas – A walk through the dunes of Maspalomas is truly a unique experience in a desert-like environment. There are multiple routes. We’ve placed a link here to an eight-kilometre walk. Several pleasant eateries are situated along the route. Therefore, it might be wise to do the walk towards the end of the afternoon.
• Barranco de los Cernícalos – This hiking trail leads through a lush ravine with several waterfalls. It’s a beautiful green, picturesque environment. You certainly won’t be the only hiker here.
• Circular route at Pico de las Nieves – This route offers breathtaking views of the island’s highest peaks. The almost 9.5-kilometre, challenging hike is essentially only suitable for experienced hikers.

The Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria

The ultimate trek on the island is the Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria. This 66-kilometre-long pilgrim’s route crosses the island from south to north. It features a succession of rugged volcanic landscapes with occasional authentic villages. It is the only Camino de Santiago route outside continental Europe and the only route that does not start or end in Santiago de Compostela. The Camino starts at Faro de Maspalomas and ends at the church of Santiago de Las Caballeros in Gáldar.

Annual hiking event on Gran Canaria

Every year in October, the Gran Canaria Walking Festival takes place. This festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the island’s spectacular nature. During the Gran Canaria Walking Festival, there are various routes to follow, each with its own unique characteristics. From breathtaking mountain paths to leisurely walks along the coast, the festival offers something for everyone. For adventurous hikers, there’s even the possibility to take part in a fascinating night tour, allowing you to walk beneath the beautiful starry sky and enjoy the tranquillity.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Gran Canaria Walking Festival is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Sharing hiking experiences, admiring the natural beauty, and enjoying the collective passion for hiking creates a unique atmosphere of international solidarity.

Cycling in the mountainous Gran Canaria

What we only discovered during our stay on the island is that Gran Canaria is a veritable paradise for the sporty cyclist. There are also cycling routes over relatively flat terrain, but the vast majority of all routes are more geared towards the (experienced) cyclist. During our car rides from one hike to another, we encountered a significant number of cyclists. They occasionally had to pedal hard; inclines of more than 10% are actually more the rule than the exception. Due to time constraints, we didn’t venture into cycling. However, given the excellent facilities for cyclists (including many bike rental companies with high-quality bikes and e-bikes), we will definitely consider cycling for a future visit to this fantastic island. On websites such as routeyou.com, Komoot, and AllTrails, you can find the most beautiful routes.

The Most Beautiful Beaches on Sunny Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has traditionally been known for its beautiful beaches. From vast sand dunes to secluded coves, the island offers plenty of beaches worth visiting. We’ve listed some of the most beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria for you.

• Anfi del Mar, located in the south of Gran Canaria, is an idyllic beach with fine, white sand and calm, turquoise seawater. Due to the calm waters and the beautiful surroundings with colourful flowers and swaying palm trees, it’s popular with families.
• Playa de Amadores: this beach is known for its azure waters and soft, powdery white sand. It’s ideal for those seeking tranquillity, as music and sports activities are not allowed. The sheltered location provides calm swimming water, while the surrounding facilities cater to all the necessary comforts for a perfect day at the beach.
• Playa de Güigüi, situated on the remote west coast of Gran Canaria, is an unspoilt beach only accessible via a challenging hike. The crystal-clear sea, rugged surroundings, and tranquillity make this beach a unique and unforgettable destination for beach lovers seeking a secluded paradise.

• Playa de Las Canteras, located in the bustling capital Las Palmas, is one of the best city beaches in Europe. With its 2.8-kilometre-long golden sandy beach, it provides the perfect setting for a relaxing beach stroll. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to savour local cuisine at nearby restaurants. This beach is a favourite spot for both locals and tourists.
• Playa de Maspalomas near the iconic, majestic dunes of Maspalomas in the south of Gran Canaria. Here you’ll find a spectacular backdrop of sand dunes and an expansive beach that has something to offer for everyone. A must-visit!

In addition to these beaches, there are many other beautiful beaches on Gran Canaria, such as the cosy Sardina del Norte, the volcanic beach Tufia, and the iconic Playa del Inglés.

Immersing in Gran Canaria’s surprising culture

Gran Canaria boasts a rich cultural history and interesting, vibrant traditions. From colourful festivals to historical landmarks, the island offers a wealth of cultural experiences.

Traditional village festivities, festivals, and other events

One of the best ways to experience the local culture is by participating in the traditional village festivities that take place throughout the year on the island. During these celebrations, the local population and visitors come together to enjoy music, dance, culinary delights, and colourful processions. Whether it’s the festival of San Juan in June or the celebration of a village’s patron saint, these festivities offer a lively insight into local traditions and customs.

Additionally, Gran Canaria is the stage for a variety of festivals and events that take place throughout the year. From colourful carnival celebrations to religious processions and music festivals, there is always something to celebrate on the island. But there are also other annual celebrations, many of which are rooted in religious or ancient traditions, such as the festival in honour of the Virgen del Pino, or El Charco.

Historical landmarks

Gran Canaria harbours a treasure trove of historical landmarks that provide a glimpse into the island’s past. For example, visit the historic district of Vegueta in Las Palmas, where you can wander through cobbled streets and admire the impressive Santa Ana Cathedral. A separate blog about Las Palmas will be available soon.

Furthermore, there are many other particularly charming towns and villages that are definitely worth a visit. Such as Puerto de Mógan, the Venice of the Canary Islands. But also the mountain villages of Teror, Tejada, and Galdár are a must-see during a tour of the island!

Explore the ancient cave dwellings of the original inhabitants, the Guanches. You’ll find these in the valley of Guayadeque.

Local crafts and art

A stroll through the local markets and artisan shops offers the chance to admire traditional Canarian crafts, such as embroidery, pottery, and basket and chair weaving. Additionally, the island hosts a thriving art scene, with galleries and artist collectives providing a platform for local and international artists to showcase their work.

Traditional gastronomy

An essential part of Canarian culture is traditional gastronomy. We find it great fun to taste the local specialties. Such as the delicious papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce, and the delightful fish dishes. We found the mojo sauce irresistibly tasty and therefore bought several jars in the supermarket for home. Finally, there are numerous local markets and delicatessens where you can enjoy delicious Canarian products.

You may also be interested in

• Hiking in the green, Spanish hiking paradise of La Palma
• Other highlights in Spain