Camino del Guanche in Gran Canaria

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transfer to the airport from Agaete and end of services.