transfers by taxis or public buses for each walk, to and from the hotel.
accommodation
staying in a small charming hotel in the centre of the island, with breakfast included
3 walks
of approx. 10 ~14 km each to discover the most characteristic features of Gran Canaria.
WALKS AND ACCOMMODATION:
arrival in Gran Canaria
arrival transfer
1st night in Cruz de Tejeda > Hotel Rural El Refugio
Artenara ridge
walking distance: 7 Km
ascent: + 270 m
descent: – 560 m
2nd night in Cruz de Tejeda > Hotel Rural El Refugio
Guayadeque gorge
walking distance: 12 Km
ascent: + 718 m
descent: – 712 m
3rd night in Cruz de Tejeda > Hotel Rural El Refugio
Roque Nublo
walking distance: 13 Km
ascent: + 721 m
descent: – 727 m
4th night in Cruz de Tejeda > Hotel Rural El Refugio
departure day
transfer to the airport or extension
This 5-day SMART trip can be extended to a week, with a rest day between each route.
with 4 nights hotel
Difficulty
This activity is for you if you usually do sports and have a good physical background; if you can walk steep slopes up and down and don’t have health problems; if you love nature, are environmentally friendly and are a regular hiker.
Roque Nublo – Caldera de Tejeda – Pico de Las Nieves
Guanches: an overview of their recent history
staying in a small hotel in the interior of Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria SMART walks
Gran Canaria is a well known tourist destination due to the spectacular white sand beaches. But the distinctly rural character of the interior of Gran Canaria is much less well known.
In the mountains you will find ancestral trails that were used by the aborigines and later by the locals. Today, these paths open up the possibility to discover a natural paradise, still largely unknown.
The great variety of landscapes that Gran Canaria has to offer is another example of its rich biodiversity and excellent state of conservation. Walking in Gran Canaria means entering this world, which is still unknown to the vast majority of visitors to the island.
Remnants of volcanism
Gran Canaria is an island of ancient volcanic origin. Today there is no
volcanic activity. However, ancient volcanism is clearly visible, both in the morphology of its basaltic rocks and in the remains of calderas or volcanic cones.
La Caldera de Tejera or La Caldera de Bandama are two good examples that can be appreciated magnificently while Gran Canaria SMART walks.
Advantages of walking Gran Canaria in a organised way
The island of Gran Canaria is very large. Getting to and from the best routes takes time and effort. Inland roads are full of curves that make driving them an adventure.
For all these reasons, it is much more comfortable to join a self-guided program with all transfers included.
Nature of the island
Gran Canaria was conquered by the Spanish Empire between 1402 and 1496. Why did the conquest take so long? The original inhabitants, the Guanches, did not give in easily and took refuge in the rugged inner mountains. Some remote enclaves had to be besieged and fought hard. Today we can perfectly understand the affection of the aborigines for their island, walking through its mountains and enjoying its landscapes, hiking Gran Canaria in the annual Walking Gran Canaria Festival.
After an initial ascent, you will reach the crest of the Caldera de Tejeda. The descent offers exceptional views over the deep ravines, picturesque mountain villages and iconic rock formations in the center of the island. And in the distance you can see the peak of Teide, on the neighboring island of Tenerife. During the route you will cross ancient troglodyte settlements recognized by UNESCO, inside the Caves of Caballero and Cuevas de Los Candiles before arriving at Artenara. Located 1,270 meters above the sea, Artenara is the highest town on the island with around 400 cave houses. These caves were mostly carved in the 15th century. Once you have arrived in Artenara, you will return to the hotel with a short taxi transfer, to enjoy the excellent facilities, the spa and the panoramic pool overlooking the surrounding cliffs and ravines.
7 km | +270 m / -560 m
+ Hotel Rural El Refugio
3
Day 3
Guayadeque gorge
Start your route today in the extinct crater of the Caldera de Los Marteles, 20 min. by car from Cruz de Tejeda. A continuous ascent through pine forests takes you to Cruz del Socorro, with extraordinary views of the Barranco de Guayadeque, undoubtedly one of the most emblematic ravines in Gran Canaria. A descent through the gorge continues, between areas of cacti and beautiful palm groves with a multitude of flowers and poppies at their base, a perfect place for a picnic. This entire valley is made up of stone walls and terraced fields. You will also find some cave houses that are still inhabited today. A typical landscape of the sunny south, with almond trees, piteras and prickly pears in abundance. And maybe you will also see the giant lizard of Gran Canaria.
12 km | +718 m / -712 m
+ Hotel Rural El Refugio
4
Day 4
Roque Nublo
Roque Nublo, a huge monolith in permanent equilibrium on a rocky plateau 1800 m high, is what remains of an ancient volcanic dike formed in the Pleistocene. It is undoubtedly the icon of Gran Canaria and a must-see during your stay on the island. Start your route today at Llanos de La Pez (10 min drive from the hotel), ascending through pine forests towards the crest of the Riscos de Tirajana. Extraordinary views open up to the south, showing you the deep ravines and cliffs with vertical drops. When you reach La Foguera, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Roque Nublo, the Caldera de Tejeda and the Roque Bentayga rising in its centre. Later you continue your ascent to the Roque, from where you will enjoy a 360º panorama over the whole island and even towards the other islands of the archipelago: Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro.
13 km | +721 m / -727 m
+ Hotel Rural El Refugio
5
Day 5
Departure
Transfer by taxi to the airport for the departure of your flight.
TOUR LOCATION
Discover the essence of the island of Gran Canaria at its most rural. The SMART Gran Canaria programme includes the 3 hiking routes that you should not miss on your visit to the island. We organize your transfers for each route in an individualized way, from/to your accommodation. Walk independently and enjoy on your own the extraordinary nature of the island.
ACCOMMODATION
Subject to availability:
HOTEL RURAL EL REFUGIO
Mountain hotel located in the heart of Gran Canaria: the Cruz de Tejeda. Comfortable hotel located in an incomparable natural environment, ideal for enjoying the best hiking routes on the island.
During your stay in Gran Canaria SMART you will enjoy the incomparable setting of the Caldera de Tejeda, with extraordinary views of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga.
The Hotel Rural El Refugio is situated at a crossroads of paths, making it a real refuge for hikers. Just a few steps away is one of the most beautiful villages of Gran Canaria: Tejeda. An ideal place to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature Gran Canaria.
Additional overnights
It is also possible to book some additional days, before or after the hiking week, or an additional week to relax.
Difficulty
To successfully achieve the 3 Walks it is necessary a good physical condition, steady walk and lack of vertigo. According to the year season, temperatures can be extreme (hot and/or cold). Therefore, it is necessary to have suitable warm clothes permanently, to be removed as layers if necessary. Some parts of this trail include passages with slippery loose stone. Although most of this trail is roomy enough, certain sections are quite aerial and require caution. Using hiking poles is highly recommended.
Trails
The Canary Islands has a well signposted network of trails. All sections where from our tours are perfectly marked. In addition to the detailed map of Gran Canaria, you will get from us precise indications of each route and assistance from the hotline on your walks.
We recommend
Appropriate hiking clothing and sturdy footwear. During the tours, it is necessary to have food and drink enough, as well as sun protection, a cap, wind jacket and, in the winter months, warm clothing.
Luggage transfer
We move your luggage from one accommodation to next, so on your hikes you should only carry a backpack with the essentials of the day. For the whole trip, it is recommendable to use a single suitcase, not bigger than 20 kg.
You can book at any date!
Flying to GRAN CANARIA allows you to enjoy an island full of contrasts. But it also opens up the possibility of taking advantage of the best low-cost flights to the Canary Islands.
.
...And from there, connect to any of the other islands in the Canary Islands with local flights from
BINTER
... or perhaps take advantage of the excellent ferry connections to visit the neighbouring island of Tenerife, from the Port of Agaete, in the north of Gran Canaria (a 1 hour and 20 minute crossing), even taking your hire car with you.
FRED OLSEN
Belén
Travel organisation
Do you have any questions? I am happy to help you. I will answer any questions you may have!
Book early!! ...and get a 10% discount for bookings made 90 daysbefore the arrival date.
Book early!! ...and get a 10% discount for bookings made 90 daysbefore the arrival date.
PRICES: until 31st October 2025
645 € ▸ 580€ per person in double/twin room (2 persons)
| Single Suplement (room for single use)
(...and 3rd person): + 195 €
Solo Traveller (1 person): 1085 € ▸ 976 €
PRICES: from 01st November 2025
690 € ▸ 620€ per person in double/twin room (2 persons)
| Single Suplement (room for single use)
(...and 3rd person): + 210 €
Solo Traveller (1 person): 1160 € ▸ 1045 €
Any arrival date is possible - You decide your travel dates and when to start. However, we must first request availability to the accommodations.
Booking: With an initial payment of 150 € (per person), book now and guarantee your trip. We will confirm your reserve within 24 hours. But in the case of accommodations unavailability, we will refund the paid amount or propose alternative dates.
What does this programme include?
Accommodations - 4 nights in a strategic hotel in the heart of Gran Canaria, on a bed + breakfast basis
Informations - personalised information by video-talk (if desired) on your arrival day
informative material - maps to be picked up at the hotel reception, upon arrival
Descriptions & GPX Tracks - to follow the walks on your mobile device
Private transfers - all necessary luggage & person transfers for each walk, except on departure day.
Support 24h - we keep permanently in touch with you throughout your stay to solve any problem or enquiry you may have
What is NOT included?
▸Flights to and from your home city to Gran Canaria are not included
▸Departure transfer
▸Lunches & Dinners
Cancellation Policy
▸ Up to 14 days before the date of arrival, 100% refund.
▸Between 13 and 7 days before the arrival date, 50% refund, or free of charge dates change.
▸ Between 6 and 3 days before the arrival date, 25% refund, no date changes permitted.
▸48 hours before the arrival date, 0% refund, no date changes permitted.
self-guided ► hotel + breakfast included
self-guided ► hotel + breakfast included
self-guided ► hotel + breakfast included
Any arrival date is possible - You decide your travel dates and when to start. However, we must first request availability to the accommodations. 
Booking: With an initial payment of 150 € (per person), book now and guarantee your trip. We will confirm your reserve within 24 hours. But in the case of accommodations unavailability, we will refund the paid amount or propose alternative dates.
Accommodations - 4 nights in a strategic hotel in the heart of Gran Canaria, on a bed + breakfast basis 
Informations - personalised information by video-talk (if desired) on your arrival day 
informative material - maps to be picked up at the hotel reception, upon arrival 
Descriptions & GPX Tracks - to follow the walks on your mobile device 
Private transfers - all necessary luggage & person transfers for each walk, except on departure day. 
Support 24h - we keep permanently in touch with you throughout your stay to solve any problem or enquiry you may have
