Hiking on the Camino del Guanche (GR131)
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationCanary Islands / Gran Canaria
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AgeFrom 16 - 75 years
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CO₂-Emissions112.94 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
In the heart of the Atlantic, Gran Canaria reveals an exceptional natural wealth concentrated in a compact area. Far from the beach resorts, the island unveils its true character through a network of spectacular hiking trails , where contrasts unfold at every turn. In just a few hours, you can traverse desert landscapes , lush forests , wild beaches , and volcanic terrain.
This unique diversity offers an immersion in a mosaic of microclimates and atmospheres. Rugged landscapes shaped by millennia of volcanic activity stand alongside fertile valleys and panoramas reminiscent of the Alps , the Sahara , or the vast American landscapes. Each route becomes a sensory exploration, between raw nature and ever-changing horizons.
Gran Canaria is an ideal destination for travelers seeking an active getaway , combining discovery , diverse landscapes , and immersive experiences . An island where every hike tells a new story, in an ever-changing setting.
The highlights
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Point-to-point routes, traversing mountain peaks and coastal paths
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Luggage transfer arranged so you can travel light
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Part of an extremely diverse ecosystem and exhibiting the greatest biodiversity
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
To succeed in the 5 steps , it is necessary to be in good physical condition .
In figures
Hiking
- Average distance/day: 16 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 713 m
- Average daily descent: 714 m
Management
Program
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Arrival in Gran Canaria: Airport ▸Maspalomas
- Transportation Car - 00h20 - 30km
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Transfer from airport to hotel in Maspalomas
Day 1 -
Maspalomas ▸ Arteara
- Activity Hiking
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 468 m
- Negative elevation 121 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The accommodation is located a few minutes from the Maspalomas Dunes. After dropping off your luggage at reception, you will begin your hike by walking north until you find the first signs indicating the trail. You will walk north, following the avenue uphill until you find the markers for the " Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria" (Way of St. James of Gran Canaria). This trail enters the Barranco de Vicentillos (Vicentillos Gorge) and then continues through the Barranco de Fataga (Fataga Gorge) to Arteara. Arteara was once an aboriginal enclave. In its valley lies the Arteara Necropolis and numerous small plantations of tropical trees. A few meters further on is the accommodation where you will spend the following night.
Day 2 -
Arteara ▸ Tunte
- Activity Hiking
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 599 m
- Negative elevation 65 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
From Arteara , we resume our journey on the Camino de Santiago today, heading towards Tunte and San Bartolomé de Tirajana. This is a fairly easy stage that will take you closer to the mid-altitude zone of Gran Canaria's beautiful interior. The parish church of San Bartolomé dates back to the 17th century and boasts a splendid Baroque façade and an interesting interior decorated with murals and religious sculptures. Tunte is also home to the " La Fortaleza " interpretation center, a symbolic site of the Guanches' resistance against the Spanish conquerors.
Day 3 -
Tunte ▸ Cruz de Tejeda
- Activity Hiking
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 1061 m
- Negative elevation 433 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today's stage takes you to the heart of Gran Canaria: Cruz de Tejeda , at an altitude of 1,560 meters. The trail climbs to the peak zone, skirting part of the Caldera de Tejeda before reaching the summit. Cruz de Tejeda is an iconic landmark of Gran Canaria. From here, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of much of the island, including Roque Nublo , one of Gran Canaria's most famous natural sites. Hotel El Refugio is a strategically located accommodation for both hikers on the GR 131 and those walking the Camino de Santiago. Opposite, you'll find the Parador Cruz de Tejeda, offering an excellent viewpoint overlooking the western part of Gran Canaria.
Day 4 -
Cruz de Tejeda ▸ El Hornillo
- Transportation Car - 00h30 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 657 m
- Negative elevation 1427 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The trail connecting Cruz de Tejeda to El Hornillo is part of the GR 131, also known as the Water Route. After leaving Artenara , the GR 131 begins its descent, passing three dams: the Soria Dam, the Las Niñas Dam, and the Chira Dam. El Hornillo is a small hamlet, with barely a church, located in the upper part of the Barranco de Agaete . Its refuge offers safe shelter to GR 131 hikers on their descent towards Agaete. We are now on the western slopes of the Gran Canaria mountain range, a very sunny but often windy area.
Day 5 -
El Hornillo ▸ Agaete
- Transportation Car - 00h20 - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 779 m
- Negative elevation 1522 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today, we descend towards the Barranco de Agaete, a fertile valley where a favorable microclimate fosters the prosperity of artisanal coffee plantations, as well as all kinds of tropical fruits. The town of Agaete , situated just over 100 meters above sea level, seems frozen in time and offers a pleasant colonial atmosphere. Elegant old houses surround a beautiful central square, lined with centuries-old trees that cast their shade over the terraces of traditional cafés. But the GR 131 trail ends at the port of Las Nieves. We'll still have to walk a few minutes to reach the picturesque port of Agaete, a place that invites relaxation after these five stages.
Day 6 -
Day at the beach in Agaete
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The port of Agaete offers a pleasant maritime atmosphere. Next to the port, a fine black sand beach stretches southward, ending at El Dedo de Diós , a distinctive basalt monolith that points towards the sky. Numerous restaurants with terraces spilling out onto the pedestrian streets invite you to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing day by the sea.
Day 7
Accommodation
The Cordial Green Golf aparthotel is located in the heart of Maspalomas , right next to the beach and the dunes of southern Gran Canaria. It's a modern resort complex with a swimming pool. The rooms are designed like apartments. Its proximity to the starting point of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) makes it an ideal place to spend the first night.
Spacious rooms with a balcony-terrace, kitchenette, and other amenities for preparing picnics. Supermarkets and other services are nearby, as well as a coastal walk to the Maspalomas lighthouse and dunes.
Breakfast is included in the hotel cafeteria.
The first stage of the Way of St. James will take you to the village of Arteara, in the Fataga ravine, an idyllic spot nestled between the mountains.
This is where you'll find this small rural complex, ideal for recharging your batteries, spending a night enjoying the peace and quiet of the valley and contemplating the starry sky of Gran Canaria.
With its outdoor spaces and simple but comfortable rooms, the Masai Mara Resort is a small oasis on the Guanche Trail, in the arid landscape of the south of the island.
Beautiful rural accommodation located in Tunte (San Bartolomé de Tirajana). The accommodation is situated in the old town of Tunte, amidst a maze of winding alleyways. It is a superbly renovated old farmhouse.
Rooms in traditional Canarian style. Warm and comfortable, they are decorated with rustic elements from the last century, respecting the customs of the time. The town of San Bartolomé is located at an altitude of 850 meters.
Breakfast included at a local cafe.
The Hotel Rural El Refugio is a large 19th-century Canarian house located in Cruz de Tejeda , within the Nublo Rural Park in Gran Canaria, a natural environment designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an ideal place to disconnect and enjoy nature and the mountains.
After reaching Cruz de Tejeda , at an altitude of 1,515 meters, we find the Hotel El Refugio . It's a rustic-style hotel, but with all the necessary comforts for an overnight stay after the third stage. It has an excellent restaurant, a cafeteria, and a small supermarket where you can stock up on supplies.
It is also a stopping point for pilgrims on the Way of St. James from Gran Canaria , where they can have their credencial stamped.
In summary: a quiet rural hotel, surrounded by nature, offering good food and focused on relaxation, hiking and pets.
We finally arrive in the north of Gran Canaria, at the port of Agaete . A sunny enclave by the sea, home to the Hotel Puerto de Las Nieves . After this fifth stage, the Camino del Guanche comes to an end, allowing you to relax in facilities that offer a heated indoor pool, a solarium with spectacular views, or to enjoy the small beach near the port.
Very comfortable and well-equipped rooms, with a terrace and views of the cliffs in northwest Gran Canaria.
Agaete port has a myriad of excellent fish restaurants, arranged on outdoor terraces facing the mooring quay.
Watching the boarding and disembarking of the ferry that connects Gran Canaria to Tenerife and the bustle of passengers and vehicles coming and going is an additional attraction that takes place daily.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Breakfasts
- Personalized information via video conference (if you wish), on the day of your arrival
- Information materials upon your arrival
- Descriptions and GPX tracks
- All necessary transfers of people and luggage at each stage, except for the airport transfer on the day of departure.
- 24/7 assistance and support
The price does not include
- Return flights from your place of residence to Gran Canaria
- Airport transfer from hotel on the day of departure
- Lunches and dinners
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Depending on the time of year, temperatures can be extreme (hot and/or cold). It is therefore essential to carry appropriate warm clothing at all times, which can be layered as needed. Some sections of the trail consist of loose stones, and other passages can be slippery. Although most of the path is wide, some sections are quite exposed and require caution. The use of hiking poles is strongly recommended.
Equipment to bring
We will transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next. Therefore, you will only need to carry a backpack containing the bare essentials for the day. For the entire trip, it is best to have only one suitcase weighing no more than 20 kg.
Clothing to bring
Appropriate hiking clothing and sturdy shoes are essential. During hikes, it is necessary to carry food and water, as well as sunscreen, a hat, a light windbreaker, and, during the winter months, warm clothing.
