Last places
Way of Saint James from Sarria in group with guide
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Days
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Hours
GU01
On foot

Camino del Guanche in Gran Canaria

SERVICES
Standard
TYPE OF TRIP
Half distance
MODE
On your own
5 STAGES
8 DAYS
65 KM
DIF. ●●●●○
Walk along the GR 131: the Guanche Trail
Cross the island of Gran Canaria along the path traced by its original inhabitants.
Discover the majestic hinterland of the Canary Islands
Gran Canaria is one of the most dynamic and developed islands of the archipelago. Its coastline receives countless visitors and tourists every year, especially on its southern coast. However, its interior is surprising for its rural character, which has remained untouched by the developmentalism of the last 40 years. The Guanche Way runs through almost virgin landscapes, crossing the island from coast to coast and offering those who venture along it a diversity of landscapes and nature that will live on in the memory.

Services

This programme includes these services.

8-day trip along the Camino del Guanche in Gran Canaria.
7 nights in private room with bathroom, in accommodation along the route.
Bed and breakfast*.
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes

Not included services

Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.

* The breakfasts can vary depending on the accommodation. They usually include an open buffet or, failing that, they are more abundant and caloric than a normal breakfast, as they are designed for a higher energy expenditure during your day.

Optional Services

A whole range of optional services are at your disposal, so that you can configure your trip to suit your needs.
Luggage transport
Private transfers
Half board (dinners)
Cancellation insurance
Complementary activities

Half board.
Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Transfers to and from the airports and stations of Gran Canaria.
Telescopic trekking poles.
Cancellation insurance

Free cancellation if you book through our website

Is this trip for me?

Type of trip: Half distance
Journeys to savour slowly, with the best of each space and that indescribable sensation of overcoming your own limits.
Type of services: Standard
Carefully selected tourist class accommodation based on our experience on this route, combined with services specifically designed for your trip.
Travel style: On your own
Programmes designed so that you can travel the route on your own, at the pace set by your steps. Full autonomy and the peace of mind of knowing that we are with you if you need us.
Physical demands: Hiking
Routes of small or medium physical demand, of medium distance (20-30 km / day) and surfaces that facilitate walking, and that can be covered autonomously.

Itinerary


Day 1. Welcome to the Guanche Way

We welcome you to the Guanche Way, the route that invokes the routes of the original inhabitants of the archipelago of the Canary Islands. On your first day, we will pick you up from Gran Canaria airport and take you to Maspalomas, a town famous for its vast dune areas and slender lighthouse. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy the beaches and relax and get ready for the next day's challenge.

Accommodation: Cordial Green Golf or similar


Day 2. Stage Maspalomas - Arteara

Distance: 17.3 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Arteara

The adventure begins leaving the town of Maspalomas behind, turning your back to the sea and heading north to the start of the trail. Here you will see the markings of the so-called "Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria", a different route from the Camino del Guanche but which follows the same route for several stages. The route, ascending most of the time, will take you through the Barranco de Vicentillos ravine and, further on, through the Barranco de Fataga ravine and its protected landscape area, finally reaching the finish line of the first stage in Arteara. In the valley of this ancient aboriginal settlement you can visit the necropolis of Arteara and enjoy the small tropical tree plantations.

Accommodation: Masai Mara Resort or similar


Day 3. Stage Arteara - Tunte

Distance: 10.1 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○○
Accommodation: Tunte

The second stage continues with an ascending profile, reaching an altitude of almost 1,000m and approaching the midlands of the beautiful interior of Gran Canaria. The point of greatest heritage interest is San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which gives its name to the municipality and whose parish church, dating from the 17th century, conserves a magnificent Baroque façade and mural paintings inside. Tunte is also home to "La Fortaleza", a historic enclave of Guanche resistance to the European settlers.

Accommodation: Rural Suite Santiago de Tunte or similar


Day 4. Stage Tunte - Cruz de Tejeda

Distance: 15.8 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Cruz de Tejeda

The third stage is to reach the heart of Gran Canaria, Cruz de Tejeda, which rises to 1560 metres above sea level. The Camino del Guanche climbs here along part of the majestic Caldera de Tejeda, up to the summit area, reaching 1719 metres above sea level. Cruz de Tejeda is one of the most emblematic spots in Gran Canaria, offering spectacular panoramic views over a large part of the island and Roque Nublo, a natural icon of the Canary Islands.

Accommodation: Hotel El Refugio or similar


Day 5. Stage Cruz de Tejeda - El Hornillo

Distance: 17.4 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: El Hornillo

The Camino del Guanche continues, after Cruz de Tejeda, along a part of the GR 131 known as the "Water Route", going downhill, crossing the town of Artenara and then three dams: the Soria dam, the Las Niñas dam and the Chira dam. The route follows the western side of the mountain massif of Gran Canaria, up to the small village of El Hornillo, where walkers and hikers find refuge and rest from this long stage.

Accommodation: El Hornillo Refuge or similar


Day 6. Stage El Hornillo - Agaete

Distance: 16.2 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Agaete

The last stage of the Camino del Guanche, which ends on the seafront on the north coast of Gran Canaria, after having crossed the island in its entirety. This is the day's descent through the Barranco de Agaete ravine, a fertile valley where coffee plantations and tropical plantations of all kinds thrive. The day ends in Agaete, whose evocative colonial forms still rise some 100 metres above sea level. It is worth taking a rest in one of the traditional cafés in the central square, under the shade of centenary trees. Or finish the GR 131 trail at Puerto de Las Nieves, the picturesque port area of Agaete, now at sea level.

Accommodation: Hotel Puerto de las Nieves or similar


Day 7. Day of rest and beach in Agaete

Gran Canaria is, without a doubt, one of the great European sun and beach destinations, and a journey through the island should not end without enjoying its beaches of fine volcanic sand. Next to the port of Las Nieves, one of these beaches stretches all the way to the Dedo de Dios, the name given in Agaete to the great basalt monolith that closes the passage pointing to the sky.

Accommodation: Hotel Puerto de las Nieves or similar


Day 8. Return home

Transfer to the airport from Agaete and end of services.


The recipe for great journeys

Natural, historical and ethnographic heritage, spectacular gastronomy, good company, slow pace and time for time. These are the ingredients with which we design trips in Viando. Are you staying at home? 

Book now and get
free cancellation

Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control

Frequently asked questions

What to expect from this tour?
The Guanche Way runs through the different Canary Islands. The route that corresponds to Gran Canaria is demanding (most of the stages have a difficulty rating of 4 out of 5). This route is perfect for you if you are looking for a physical challenge, to get off the beaten track for most visitors to the islands and experience a real adventure.
El Camino del Guanche is open all year round, thanks to the privileged climate of the Canary Islands. Low probability of rainfall throughout the year.
This programme includes transfers from Gran Canaria Airport to Maspalomas and from Agaete to the airport.
The accommodation on this route is varied in category, ranging from small lodges to 4-star hotels. All offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and are well maintained and clean to ensure a good night's sleep.

By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website. 

All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage). 

If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.

Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation. 

In Viando we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote. here.

Mode

This label indicates the intended mode of travel, based on two typologies:

In groups

These are group trips, where you are part of a small group of people who have chosen the same destination as you. Perfect for meeting like-minded people. Group trips usually have a guide who is in charge of overseeing the dynamics of the group, revealing the secrets of the destination and, in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

On your own

In this type of trip you have full control: you choose the dates and the pace. In addition, they are usually trips with configurable accommodation and services. It is the perfect mode for independent and experienced travellers, as well as for private groups of friends or families.

Type of trip

This label indicates the type of trip we propose to you based on the following options:

Getaways

These are trips that concentrate all their essence in two or three days. The aim is to live a series of experiences in a specific geographical area.

Half distance

These trips offer routes that take only a few days to complete and are perfect for most people who want to enjoy an active holiday without being too physically demanding.

Long distances

This type refers to long routes, which offer a great variety of natural and human spaces to visit and which require several days, usually two weeks or more. They are routes and destinations designed to really disconnect and live the experience to the fullest.

Exploration

These are trips off the beaten track and off the beaten track. They often require certain orientation skills or offer specialised guides at the destination.

Accommodation

This label indicates the type of services (mainly accommodation) we offer on each trip, based on three categories: 

Configurable

The trip offers different types of services and categories of services that you can choose from. For example, standard or premium accommodation. 

Standard

The trips in this group do not offer configurable options. The accommodations correspond to the standard category (not luxurious, but clean and in good condition).

Premium

Trips with this label offer non-configurable options. Accommodation and other services correspond to the premium category.