Canary Contrasts Tenerife & Gran Canaria

1| Arrival Tenerife
Transfer from the airport to the first accommodation in Santiago del Teide on Tenerife, where we will stay for two nights.

2| Walk Teno
The first stage has a total distance of 11 km. This route is not too difficult. You walk a gradually ascending road towards the Masca valley, you walk on paths with spectacular views. A nice day trip to acclimatize.

Distance: 10 km
Elevation difference: +480 up / – 480 down

3| Santiago del Teide – Chinyero volcano
The second stage of this tour we walk to Chinyero volcano. The Chinyero volcano is the youngest volcano on the island and last erupted in 1909. The area surrounding this volcano offers an intriguing mix of volcanic landscapes and vegetation. Step by step you walk towards the Teide area. You will spend the night in one of our special accommodations.

Distance: 16.6 km
Elevation difference: +660 up / – 420 down

4| Los Llanos – Parking El Teide
Ready for a new day. You leave this nice accommodation. You walk  further up to the Teide area. From the starting point you can already see in the distance where you are going today. You walk a long route with the necessary elevation gain. You climb up through the forest until you reach the tree line. When you have reached the end point of this day, you will be taken to Vilaflor.

*Optional you can stay an extra day in Parador to go to the top of El Teide with or without a guide. Ask about the possibilities.

Distance: 21 km
Elevation difference: +960 up / – 70 down

**| On an expedition to the top of El Teide at an altitude of 3715 meters (Optional as an extra day in Parador)
Alone or with a guide. With an 80 meter large crater, the highest point in Spain. And the view… unforgettable!

5| Las Cañadas del Teide
If we continue via Vilaflor we enter one of the most beautiful varied nature reserves in Tenerife, El Teide, where we walk through the most beautiful parts. You first walk from Vilaflor to Parador, a part where you can only reach on foot. Walking further and further across the barren plains of Las Cañadas del Teide, you end up in El Portillo where you can take the city bus to La Laguna.

Distance: 25 km
Elevation difference: +1150 up / – 540 down

6| Cristobal La Laguna
This beautiful old colonial town is your last stay before the crossing to Gran Canaria. but first you get a day of hiking in the Anaga Mountains. There are different distances you can walk.

7| Ferry to Gran Canaria
With the city bus you can easily reach the port for the crossing to Gran Canaria. About a two-hour boat ride you will arrive in Agaete, the nice fishing village in the northwest of this island

8| Day off
Possibility to visit the coffee plantation in the Agaete valley.

9| Departure Puerto de las Nieves to Artenara
From the port you leave for Artenara via the Tamada nature reserve. An area that has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. You will see the fabulous natural indigenous Canarian pine forests on the mountain tops, the dizzying steep cliffs of the almost inaccessible coast and the rich biodiversity of the ravines. Today you ascend to 1300 meters. The first 8 km go to 1200 meters. A spectacular walk up, to walk towards Artenara. Artenara is a small mountain village. Here you will find several cave houses that have been inhabited to this day and the chapel built in a cave in honor of the Virgen de la Cuevita. You will stay in a cave house with a view over the middle point of Gran Canaria. This is a unique experience! Be surprised.

Distance: 20 km
Elevation difference: +1660 up / – 440 down

10| Artenara Tejeda, Extra stage
This is an additional stage. Tejeda is one of the nicest villages in Gran Canaria. On the way from Artenara to Tejeda you walk through Cruz de Tejeda, take a look at the stalls and take a moment of rest here. In terms of weather, it can be cold and foggy, or sunny and warm. The journey for today is not very long.  You arrive at the accommodation in Tejeda. Tejeda has been chosen as one of the most beautiful villages with many food and drink options. This village is also known for the sweet snacks that you will encounter several times in the main street.

Distance: 11 km
Elevation difference: +570 up / – 740 down

11| Tejeda extra circular walk and/or rest day
Tejeda  has been declared one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. That’s why you get two nights here. You can use the extra day as a walking day or you can use this day as a rest day. We will give you an extra walking route to explore the most beautiful area.

Distance: 10 km
Elevation difference: +580 up / – 580 down

12| Departure from Tejeda to San Bartolomé de Tirajana
You continue to the highest point of this trek. The town of Cruz de Tejeda is on the route, where you can take a break before continuing the journey to San Bartolomé de Tirajana. a very nice trip with a spectacular descent. The change in weather, the sheep walking everywhere, the silence, and the beautiful views. A tough journey but a very beautiful one!  From 1700 meters to 900 meters. The overnight stay is in a Casa Rural in the middle of San Bartolomé. There is a wonderful bakery in the center that is open very early and where you can eat the tastiest sandwiches.

Distance: 20 km
Elevation difference: +810 up / – 990 down

13| Departure San Bartolomé de Tirajana to Arteara or Ayagaures
This stage largely goes downhill towards Maspalomas. From San Bartolomé you walk to Arteara, a relatively short stage, or you walk the original route to Ayagaures. Because we depend on the accommodations, we check which ones are available when booking.

Distance 1: 10 km
Elevation difference: +90 up / – 630 down

Distance 2: 17 km
Elevation difference: +430 up / – 1030 down

14| Departure for Maspalomas
The last leg of this journey is mostly downhill to Maspalomas. We walk through the barranco towards Maspalomas. A long descending road, with a bit more activity. The end point of this route is at the lighthouse, in Maspalomas in the middle of bustling tourism. A nice accommodation awaits you here where you will stay for 1 more night.

Distance: 18 km
Elevation: +164 up / – 458 down

15| End of your journey
You have to say goodbye to these beautiful islands. You will be dropped off at the airport with a transfer.