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Scented Slopes & Mountain Lakes

A world within an isle

Enjoy far-reaching views from the high ridges

The rich diversity of a whole continent seems contained within the island of Gran Canaria. Like a great wheel, rugged ridges and deep ravines are carved outwards from the island’s mountainous hub to the coast, and their volcanic landscape offers striking contrasts. The result is that you can almost choose a different landscape to explore each day. In clear weather, when panoramic views stretch to Tenerife’s towering El Teide 70 miles away, choose the north-facing valleys – emerald with pine and chestnut groves, they are richly clothed in aromatic shrubs from sage to sea lavender to golden artemisia. However, when the clouds rest upon the highest mountain ridges, skirt them southwards to follow the blue skies, and discover fascinating scenery as craggy as America’s mid-west, where sun-baked slopes are brightened with palm groves, mountain lakes and swathes of cacti. The white houses of remote villages dot the hillsides, and your hire car gives you the freedom to roam at will, with the views from the precipitous mountain passes providing thrills all of their own!

Nights: 7
Grade: 2 & 3 (flexible options)
Terrain: pine forests, ravines, mountain paths, palm groves
Hotels: two rural hotels
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 2 picnics
Climate: the island enjoys year-round warmth. The table below gives average temperatures (in °C) for the island, though it is always considerably cooler at high altitudes, and there are marked differences between the north and the drier south

Starting point: Las Calas (rural hotel), near San Mateo. Blissfully secluded in its own gardens (complete with a splash pool and shaded sitting area) close to the central massif, this traditional house built around a courtyard planted with native species has a distinctly ethnic flavour, with touches of the Arabian and African. Dinner is included on the night of your arrival, while on the subsequent four nights you are free to sample the local restaurants.

The San Bartolomé walk

Days 1, 2, 3 & 4: matching your walking route to the mood of the skies each day, you can enjoy satisfying walks in both the north and the south of the island. The drives to the starting points of the walks vary from 10 minutes to an hour. If you prefer not to walk, there is plenty to discover: the vibrant old quarter of the capital, Las Palmas, with its immense cathedral, tree-lined plazas and museum of early Canarian life; the enchanting town of Teror with its excellent examples of Spanish colonial architecture; and the wonderful botanic gardens of Jardín Canario. Choose from the following five walks:

San Bartolomé (grade 2, 15.5km, 5.5hrs): an ideal first walk which introduces you to the island’s gorges and strange crags. Initially you enjoy views into the dramatic Tirajana Gorge, but as you continue through pine forest, these give way to vistas of the spectacular Barranco del Data, a ravine that stretches almost as far as the south coast.
Roque Nublo (grade 2, 8km, 3hrs): a pleasant half-day route which combines astonishing views with a visit to one of the most celebrated and distinctive rock formations of Gran Canaria, Roque Nublo ('Cloudy Rock'). You circle the rock, enjoying views in good weather across the sea to Tenerife and El Teide, then descend into the Culata Valley to return to your car.

Palms surround a mountain lake

Lake Chira (grade 2, 10km, 3hrs): the route winds along a well-watered valley to reach a ridge with views down to Lake Chira. Reaching this, you skirt its shores back to your car. An alternative grade 2-3 route (14km, 5.5hrs) continues to Lake Soria, returning along the same path.
Caldera de los Marteles (grade 2-3, 13km, 6hrs): a thrilling high-mountain route that starts with a short taxi ride (pay locally). From the drop-off point, you descend into a volcanic crater, then rise along a wide ridge that affords magnificent views over the north and south-west parts of the island in clear weather as you ascend towards the highest point on the island, Pico de las Nieves. You finish with a long descent through ravines and along rounded ridges back to your hotel. You can avoid the ascent (thus making a grade-2 walk) by starting at a different point.
Valleseco Circuit (grade 3, 12.5km, 5.5hrs): this rewarding and very varied circuit explores the verdant northern slopes of the island, ascending and descending through fruit trees, terraces, eucalyptus forest and charming hamlets, past wonderfully secluded viewpoints.

Accommodation: Las Calas, as above.

Day 5: today you change bases, and head to the north-west corner of the island. As the distance is not overly long, you could combine the drive with another of the walks, or a spot of sightseeing.

Stark but colourful landscapes

Accommodation: Las Longueras (rural hotel), near Agaete. This elegant hotel is a former colonial mansion surrounded by extensive gardens planted with ancient trees, cacti and citrus groves and dotted with hidden seats on which to sit and relax. Enjoy high standards of service and facilities which include a swimming pool, a small exercise room, and a couple of lounges. Again, dinner is included on your first night.

Day 6: if you are blessed with good weather on your last day, we strongly recommend a walk in the mountains (grade 3, 18km, 8.5hrs). Involving a 1,150-metre ascent and descent, this is a very challenging, but also very worthwhile, route. Paths rise (at times steeply) to the summit of the majestic peaks that form the backdrop to your hotel, rewarding you with views over the northern coast and towards Tenerife. At the top, a shaded path winds through native Canary pines before descending via Lake Lerejos and cave dwellings once occupied by the ancient Guanche people back to your car. To make an easier walk, you can take a taxi (pay locally) to avoid the ascent and the first part of the descent. For a change from walking, explore the charming port of Agaete, or stroll around the colonial quarter of Santa María de Guía. We also suggest two driving routes which follow snaking corniche roads. The first (4hrs) starts by heading along the north-west coast before turning inland and exploring the mountainous centre of the island, passing examples of casas cuevas (cave houses) built into the slopes. The second (5.5hrs) explores a longer stretch of coastline, crossing steep-sided gorges and circumnavigating the entire island.

Accommodation: Las Longueras, as above.

Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast

Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system.

Similar holidays: La Gomera - Hidden Gem of the Canaries (grade 2-3), Tenerife & El Teide (grade 2-3)

Prices & travel

#Add £20pp if staying in Agaete on 24 or 31 Dec

Recommended destination airport: Las Palmas
Latest flight arrival time: flexible
Earliest flight departure time: flexible
*Included travel: 7 days’ category A car hire
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Extra night prices 2008/2009 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):

Prices include an extra day's car hire

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