Everything is ready for the start of another Gran Canaria Walking Festival, the international hiking get-together organised every year by the Gran Canaria Natural & Active association, sponsored by Gran Canaria Island Council via the Gran Canaria Tourist Board.
The four routes designed for this 12th festival, which will be held from 19 to 22 October, are certain to make a big impression on the hikers and nature lovers taking part in an event that will allow them to discover the wildest and least known side of the island.
This annual get-together is a unique opportunity for those who wish to discover the most beautiful and spectacular places in Gran Canaria, its cuisine and its rich archaeological and ethnographic heritage, as well as the rural accommodation affiliated to the Gran Canaria Natural & Active association.
There, they can rest and sample the most traditional products of each of the areas included in the planned routes.
The routes
Under the evocative title “The caves of our ancestors”, the 7.7 km walk on the 19th begins in Artenara and is an attractive invitation to discover the spectacular landscapes that characterise the route, passing places with history and great archaeological interest and ending at the old volcano of Montañón Negro, a natural monument towering above the welcoming Casa Rural María Luisa in the municipality of Moya, where the walkers can rest and recharge their batteries.
“Rocks bathed by salt” is the title of the route planned for the 20th. This 10-km hike along the northwest coast of the island begins in the small coastal enclave of Sardina del Norte, in the municipality of Gáldar, and goes to Agaete, the island’s ultimate fishing and tourist village.
Along the way, hikers will be able to see the impressive beauty of the cliffs typical of this part of the coast, old agricultural and fishing wharfs, a blowhole, archaeological remains and some natural pools where they can take a dip.
The route on the 21st, “Discovering the Doramas forest”, is a great opportunity to discover the green heart of Gran Canaria and some of the most beautiful and picturesque urban and mountain landscapes on the island.
This route begins its 11-km journey in Firgas, also known as the “town of water”, until it reaches Laguna de Valleseco, a place of extraordinary beauty in the Doramas Rural Park, where there is a natural lagoon that is home to different types of birds.
The route for the 22nd, “Walking among springs”, which runs for10.6 km, is a great opportunity to discover the impressive landscapes of the high part of Gran Canaria.
The route, beginning at Las Lagunetas, in the municipality of Valleseco, will allow walkers to see fascinating panoramic views, discover reservoirs and pass through lush natural landscapes until they reach Hotel Rural Las Calas, in the municipality of San Mateo, where they can have lunch and relax.
Those interested in participating can register for one of the planned routes or for the full package at https://www.grancanariawalkingfestival.com/en/. All the routes include guides specialised in hiking and languages, who will explain the natural, ethnographic and cultural values of the areas visited, and a tasting of Canarian products in a picnic lunch.
The tastings will take place at the end of each of the route in rural accommodation affiliated to Gran Canaria Natural & Active. Registration also includes civil liability and accident insurance, as well as the chance for participants to obtain magnificent gifts.
For more information: https://www.grancanariawalkingfestival.com/en/
Gran Canaria Natural & Active, the best option for discovering nature and outdoor activities on the island
Gran Canaria is the ultimate island for landscape contrasts, which is why it is also known by the nickname the “Miniature Continent”. Its round shape and multiple microclimates form a surprising range of natural habitats, including deserts of sand and rock, forests, and territories recalling its volcanic origins.
This natural attraction, together with the tremendous opportunities for outdoor activities, tasting its rich and varied cuisine, and learning about the legacy of the world of the island’s original inhabitants, attract thousands of fans and nature lovers every year.
Gran Canaria Natural & Active was founded to publicise this wide range of options. The association brings together rural accommodation providers scattered throughout the most beautiful parts of the island and companies specialising in activities like hiking, canyoning, climbing, cycle tourism and cultural and culinary tours.