Walking on Gran Canaria

Collect your hire car at the airport and drive to your hotel (1 hour) Parador Cruz de Tejeda located on the highest point of the island offering stunning views. Sleep above the clouds facing the mountains and the volcanic Caldera of Tejeda.

You stay at Parador Cruz de Tejeda.

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Parador Cruz de Tejeda ( upgrade option), Tejeda

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The fantastic Parador Cruz de Tejeda occupies an enviable and elevated position 1500m above sea level, offering spectacular views of the surrounding valleys, and is adjacent to the El Nublo Nature Reserve. The bedrooms are decorated in cool contemporary colours with wooden furniture and tiled floors; all have panoramic views and balcony. The hotel boasts an elegant restaurant serving traditional Canarian cuisine, spa facilities and a pool overlooking the ravine and valley.

The Ruta 1 loop from Tejeda is a classic Gran Canaria walking trail linking the village with Cruz de Timagada and the hamlet of La Culata. This circular walk offers sweeping views across the Tejeda basin towards Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, passing through farmland, terraced hillsides and the Charco de Las Palomas ravine. After reaching peaceful La Culata, the route climbs to a rocky viewpoint, where beautifully cobbled paths and traditional stone walls frame outstanding panoramic views.

Balanced on a rock plateau 1,800m above sea level, the volcanic monolith of Roque Nublo dates back to the Pleistocene era and is one of Gran Canaria's must-see natural landmarks. Starting from Llanos de La Pez (10-minute drive), ascend through pine forest to the Riscos de Tirajana ridge.

From here, sweeping views open to the south, revealing deep barrancos and sheer cliffs. As you reach La Foguera, there are spectacular views of Roque Nublo, the Caldera de Tejeda - with Roque Bentayga rising from its centre - and deep ravines falling away towards the ocean. Then continue up to 'The Rock' itself for 360-degree views across the island and, on clear days, as far as Tenerife, La Gomera and even El Hierro.

Today you start from the hotel. After an initial ascent to the Caldera de Tejeda ridge, the descent reveals outstanding views across deep ravines, picturesque mountainside villages and iconic rock formations in the centre of the island. The snow-capped summit of Mount Teide on neighbouring Tenerife can often be seen in the distance. Explore the UNESCO-recognised troglodyte settlements of Cuevas Caballero and Cueva de Los Candiles before arriving in Artenara - at 1,270m, the highest village on the island, with nearly 400 cave houses, many dating back to the 15th century.

Starting from the extinct volcano of Caldera de Los Marteles (20-minute drive), you ascend through pine forest to Cruz del Socorro, with views over Barranco de Guayadeque, one of the most iconic ravines on Gran Canaria. Descend into the gorge past cacti, palm trees and poppies, and choose from one of many picture-perfect picnic spots with wonderful views of the dramatic landscape.

The valley is dotted with stone walls, terraced fields, troglodyte dwellings and ancient caves, some of which are still in use today. Almond trees, agaves and prickly pears abound, and you're likely to spot the Gran Canaria giant lizard, kestrels, buzzards and ravens too. After your walk, perhaps continue into the lower valley to Montana de Las Tierras or Cueva Bermeja, where several labyrinthine bars hidden inside man-made caves make a perfect stop for a post-walk drink or snack.

After 10 min drive, you arrive to the starting point of the walk. As you hike this route, expect varied terrain, from natural paths and mountain trails to some rocky and paved sections. You will pass through serene Canary Island pine forests, interspersed with volcanic landscapes. From the Pico de las Nieves summit, you can enjoy expansive views across Gran Canaria, spotting landmarks like Roque Nublo and the dramatic cliffs of the Natural Monument Riscos de Tirajana. On clear days, you might even see the silhouette of Tenerife's Pico del Teide in the distance.

Drive to Arucas (35 min), home to the Ron Arehucas factory, where you can learn about the history of the island's rum-making. Then continue to Firgas for today's circular walk. Firgas is a pretty town with a fountain-splashed plaza and the Paseo de Canarias, a stepped promenade waterfall framed by flower beds above a striking mosaic-lined street. From this water-rich town, you'll walk into the evergreen Barranco de Azuaje, a gorge enclosed by steep walls and lush, almost jungle-like vegetation of bamboo cane, bay trees, willow and fern. The scenery softens as you reach the Barranco de la Virgen, or Valley of the Virgin, where the scent of citrus fills the air among orange and lemon groves.