Lanzarote
Lanzarote is known for its volcanic landscape. When hiking, you will encounter dark lava fields, volcanic craters and open landscapes. In general, the routes have less significant elevation changes than those on the more mountainous islands. The combination of volcanoes, coastline and small villages makes Lanzarote an interesting choice for hikers who enjoy varied landscapes without having to deal with significant elevation changes throughout the route.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura has a very distinctive character when it comes to hiking. The island is open and dry, with long beaches, sandy paths, volcanic hills and quiet inland areas. Although the island is less mountainous than Tenerife or La Palma, the distances and often exposed terrain can make a hike quite demanding. On some routes, there is little shelter and only limited access to facilities along the way.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is often described as an island of contrasts. You can hike along the coast, but also through mountainous areas and on trails with significant elevation changes. There are particularly large elevation changes in the interior of the island. This means Gran Canaria offers options both for hikers looking for more relaxed routes and for those who enjoy longer and more challenging mountain hikes.
Tenerife
Tenerife is home to Mount Teide, the highest point in Spain, and therefore offers many opportunities for hiking at different elevations. The landscape changes considerably as you climb from the coast into the mountains. You will find volcanic landscapes, pine forests and mountainous routes. Because of the elevation changes and the location of some routes, good preparation is important.
La Gomera
La Gomera is a true hiking island. The landscape is mountainous, with many hiking routes passing through deep valleys, along mountain ridges and through the green interior. The island has significant elevation changes. A route covering a relatively short distance can therefore still be quite demanding. For hikers who enjoy climbing and descending and prefer quiet mountain paths, La Gomera is an interesting destination.
La Palma
La Palma is known for its volcanic landscape and green mountain areas. The island has a large number of hiking routes with elevation changes and different types of terrain. You can hike through forests, along volcanic landscapes and across mountain ridges. Especially in the higher parts of the island, the combination of distance and elevation changes can make some routes challenging.
El Hierro
El Hierro is the smallest of the main Canary Islands and has a quiet and relatively unspoilt character. The landscape ranges from volcanic areas to green highlands and coastal paths. The hiking routes are often quiet, and you will find fewer facilities along the way than on the larger, more tourist-oriented islands. Good preparation and taking enough water with you are therefore important.
Hiking in the Canary Islands: Which Island Is Right for You?
There is no single Canary Island that is best for every hiker. If you enjoy volcanic landscapes and relatively limited elevation changes, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura may be a good fit. If you are looking for more mountainous hiking and do not mind climbing and descending, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma are interesting options. El Hierro is well suited to hikers who mainly value peace and a smaller-scale environment. You can also combine several islands. With an island-hopping hiking holiday, you can discover several islands during one trip and experience just how different hiking in the Canary Islands can be.
Our Practical Tip
Do not choose an island based only on photos or the landscape. When choosing a hiking holiday, hiking in the Canary Islands offers many different possibilities. Consider the landscape, elevation and hiking grade that suit you best. Also consider the distances, elevation gain and loss, terrain and conditions you can expect during the hikes. Not sure which island or hiking holiday is best for you? Feel free to contact us. We know the hiking routes on the different islands and can help you choose a trip that matches your hiking experience and preferences.
