Guided Gran Canaria Hiking Tours

Hiking in Gran Canaria iis a truly special experience. Due to the island’s unique structure, a multitude of different climate zones, diverse landscapes and vegetation can be found within a diameter of only fifty kilometers. Hiking guides know the extensive network of hiking trails on Gran Canaria are familiar with Gran Canaria’s extensive network of hiking trails, their current condition, and know exactly where to safely explore the island on foot.

Gran Canaria Mountains and Landscapes

Gran Canaria’s landscape is hard to define. The island combines countless landscape types within a very small area that couldn’t be more diverse: fertile valleys, desert-like dunes, barren lunar landscapes, rugged cliffs, gorges like the Grand Canyon, lush pine forests, remnants of a primeval forest, and even snow-capped peaks in winter. Gran Canaria isn’t called a miniature continent for no reason. On guided hiking tours, simply follow your guide and enjoy this unique environment in a relaxed manner.

What Climate Zones are there in Gran Canaria?

The climate in Gran Canaria differs greatly from that of the other Canary Islands. This is due to the mountain ranges in the island’s interior. The different climate zones arise because the rain clouds, carried by the northeast trade winds across the Atlantic, get caught on the mountain peaks in the center of the island. Therefore, it usually only rains in the northern half, while the south is dry and barely cloudy.

The Vegetation in Gran Canaria

In Gran Canaria, you’ll find typical subtropical and tropical plants, as well as plants that thrive in a continental climate. Some plants are special because they have evolved in unusual ways due to the conditions prevailing on the island. In addition, there are unique endemic plants that grow exclusively on Gran Canaria, or the Canary Islands. Due to these special features, 43% of the island’s surface area is protected. During the guided hike, your guide will provide you with a wealth of interesting information about the vegetation of Gran Canaria.

What to expect when taking guided Gran Canaria hiking Tours?

Hiking in the North of Gran Canaria

Despite the higher rainfall, the north is still very sunny. This is why mild temperatures prevail year-round in Las Palmas, Teror, and Firgas. Nature thrives here: palm groves, pine forests, and the laurel forest, the remnants of a primeval forest. Conditions are also ideal for agriculture. In addition to tomato, potato, and orange plantations, there are also tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, and avocado.

The East of Gran Canaria

Reservoirs, plateaus with green meadows, gentle slopes, and countless deep, evergreen gorges that extend to the coast characterize the landscape in this part of Gran Canaria. Due to the prevailing wind conditions, the coast is very popular with windsurfers.

The Center of Gran Canaria

In the center of the island, mysterious and untouched mountain landscapes are paired with lush vegetation. Pine forests amidst bizarre rocky landscapes, interspersed with rugged rock formations, make hiking in the inland a particularly impressive experience. Here, you’ll find Gran Canaria’s highest mountain, the Pico de las Nieves, which translates to “snow peak” in English. Eroded monoliths like the Roque Nublo and the Roque Bentaiga tower proudly into the sky.

The South of Gran Canaria

The weather is always beautiful and pleasantly warm with hardly any reiny days. For the popular holiday destinations of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, this practically guarantees sunshine. Therefore the south, ,is predominantly barren and rocky. Accordingly, desert plants and many differnen cacti grow here. The coast and beaches in this part of the island are particularly interesting. Most operators of guided hikes on Gran Canaria offer hotel transfers. You will be taken by bus to the starting point of the popular hiking trails.

Hiking in the West of Gran Canaria

Taking the GC500 from Puerto Rico along Puerto de Mogan towards Agaete, you’ll get to know the rugged west of Gran Canaria. Along the steep coast, you’ll find cliffs over 500 meters high. In the distance, the ever-raging ocean crashes its waves against the cliffs. The beauty of this more remote region definitely lies in its untamed wilderness. Its appeal lies in the solitude and tranquility of the area.

Now that you know the most important facts about the different areas, we hope you enjoy browsing our guided Gran Canaria hiking tours and putting together your own personalized itinerary.