Description
The GR131 Gran Canaria is the third island of the long-distance route.
The capricious Gran Canaria is a strange duck on the GR131, originally it does not belong. Gran Canaria was added later, but you walk it without markings, because there are none. From North-West to South you cover a distance of 95 km in 5 stages. The accommodations have been carefully chosen; on the route, small-scale and atmospheric. We spend the night in old fincas and casas rurales, far away from mass tourism. What is Gran Canaria? An island with lots of nature, beautiful views, the Tamadaba nature reserve, and the valley of the coffee plantations in the west. The quiet, more humid north, the dry, touristy south. In Gran Canaria, the height differences are large for the first time. The total number of altimeters is 1736 m. Every day we walk an average of 15 kilometers on unpaved paths with more or less altimeters in rough landscapes. It is therefore necessary to have a good walking condition.
- Trekking along special views
- Maximum 8 people
- Beautiful rough interior
- Reservoirs
- Special overnight stays Casas Rurales
- Coffee plantations
- Roque Nublo
- Little Sahara
1| Arrival in Las Palmas
Upon arrival at the airport you will be taken to your accommodation in Agaete. You will spend the night in a nice accommodation, with breakfast. There is a supermarket if you want to take food and drinks with you for the next day. Do this because the first day is a tough day without encountering a restaurant or supermarket.
2| Depart Puerto de las Nieves to Artenara Option 1
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. Because there is no accommodation for groups in Artenara, we spend the night in Tejeda.
Distance: 20.5 km
Elevation: +1725 up / – 554 down
3| Tejeda to Artenara, circular walk
This is an additional stage. Tejeda is one of the nicest villages in Gran Canaria. On the way from Tejeda to Artenara you walk through Cruz de Tejeda, take a look at the stalls and take a moment of rest here. We continue to Artenara where there is a break, and then walk back to Tejeda on the GR131.
Distance: 18.9 km
Elevation: +1080 up / – 930 down
2| Departure from Puerto las Nieves to El Hornillo Option 2
From Puerto las Nieves we walk via the San Pedro valley to the hamlet of El Hornillo. We skip the climb to the Tamadaba nature reserve and walk via the Agaete valley to El Hornillo. With this option we avoid the so-called vertical kilometer. The altitude meters are slightly less, the distance is approximately the same as option 1. You will hear which option we will walk when the trip will definitely go ahead.
Distance: 20 km
Elevation difference: +1640 up / – 540 down
3| Departure El Hornillo to Tejeda
Via El Hornillo we walk along the reservoirs to Artenara to pick up the GR131 route again, and then turn off again to beautiful Tejeda.
Distance: 17 km
Elevation difference: +850 up / – 910 down
4| Departure from Tejeda to San Bartolomé de Tirajana
You continue to the highest point of this trek. The town of Cruz de la Tejeda is on the route, where you can take a break. The most beautiful part of the tour of Gran Canaria. The change in weather, the sheep walking everywhere, the silence, and the spectacular views. A tough journey but a very beautiful one! Once you reach the top, the descent to San Bartolomé de Tirajana begins. From 1700 meters to 900 meters. Overnight stay in a Casa Rural in the middle of Tunte.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation difference: +1450 up / – 1876 down
5| Departure San Bartolomé de Tirajana to Fataga Arteara
A relatively short walking day today. From San Bartolomé we leave descending to our next accommodation where we arrive in time to have an afternoon of rest. For those who want a long walk, it is possible to do it on your own.
Distance 1: 10 km
Elevation difference: +90 up / – 630 down
Distance 2: 20 km
Elevation difference: +430 up / – 1030 down
6| Departure for Maspalomas
The last stage of this journey goes 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 another 2 days.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation difference: +164 up / – 458 down
Information about the return journey
If you have booked an 8-day trip, you will be dropped off at the airport. If you want to stay a few extra days, that is also possible. We will help you with this. We try as much as possible to agree with everyone that the same flight will be booked.
Inclusive
- Travel time: 8 days
- Transfer airport
- Welcome drink
- Organized hiking trip over 75 km
- Accommodations with breakfast
- Luggage transport
- Transfers to accommodations
- Hiking pin from Canary Hiking
- Travel guarantee STO
Exclusive
- Outward and return journey
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- All meals and drinks except breakfast
- Booking costs €20.00
- Possible single room supplement € 295.00
- Transfers outside the program
Single room conditions:
Because the accommodations in the interior are very small and we cannot always choose from many rooms, a single room is not always possible. We try to take everyone’s privacy into account as much as possible.
Our special accommodations
The hiking pin of the GR131
Our unique hiking pin. Each island has its own color. You get this hiking pin when you complete the GR131 Camino Naturales on one of the seven islands. With a group tour you get this at the end of the trip. With an individual trip you take a stamp ticket with you that you have signed off at various locations. With this card you will receive your earned hiking pin. You are eligible for this if the trip is booked with Canary Hiking!
Colors
Each island has its own color. Did you walk the 630 km and save all the colors together? Then you will receive a unique pin from us!
Distance
95,2 km
Difficulty
Heavy
Up
4452 m.
Down
4486 m.
🥾 Conquer the Canary Islands, Collect Unique Pins! 🏅
Trek the GR131 Camino Naturales and collect a special Canary Hiking pin for each completed island – each in a unique color to symbolize your achievement!
Group trip? Receive your colorful pin at the end of the tour.
Solo adventurer? Collect stamps on your card at each milestone and we will send your pin!
Can I help you further?
Non-binding and personal. I would like to help you further, via e-mail, telephone or whatsapp button on the site. We are available 7 days a week. During the weekend it can take a few hours before you can get a response from me.
