Description
Difficulty Level
Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria: Hiking from Maspalomas to Gáldar
The Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria is an 8-day individual hiking holiday that takes you from the south to the north of the island. You start at the famous Maspalomas lighthouse and hike through the mountainous interior towards historic Gáldar. Along the way, you experience a great variety of landscapes, from the dunes and dry areas of the south to green forests and mountain scenery in the north.
You hike independently and at your own pace. The route takes you through the central mountain area of Gran Canaria, passing small villages and interesting natural areas. Along the way, you also encounter traditional cave houses and discover more about the history and culture of the island.
The journey begins in Maspalomas, where you leave the coast behind and head towards the interior. The landscape gradually changes as you reach the higher parts of Gran Canaria. Via the mountain village of Tunte (San Bartolomé), the route continues towards Cruz de Tejeda, an important point on the Camino and one of the island’s best-known hiking areas.
You then continue through the greener north towards Tamadaba. The landscape changes once again, and the views of the north coast become increasingly impressive. The trek ends in Gáldar, where you reach the final destination of the Camino de Santiago at the historic Church of Santiago Apóstol.
What makes the Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria special?
✅ From south to north: start among the dunes of Maspalomas and hike through the interior of the island towards the north coast.
✅ Volcanic mountain landscapes: discover the higher parts of Gran Canaria with volcanic scenery and impressive views.
✅ Tamadaba Natural Park: hike through one of the island’s most important natural areas, home to Canary Island pine forests.
✅ Camino de Santiago: collect stamps in your pilgrim passport along the way and complete your journey at the Church of Santiago Apóstol in Gáldar.
✅ Individual hiking: set your own pace and enjoy the freedom to stop and explore the surroundings along the way.
✅ Luggage transfer: your luggage is transported between accommodations, so you can hike with only a light daypack.
Hiking level
The Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria is a challenging mountain hiking route. The trail includes significant elevation changes, with several long climbs and descents. Daily distances average around 10 to 20 kilometres. A good level of fitness and experience hiking in mountainous terrain are therefore important.
Included in this hiking holiday
✓ 8-day individual hiking holiday
✓ Accommodation in carefully selected places, including breakfast
✓ Luggage transfer between accommodations
✓ Airport transfers
✓ Pilgrim passport for the Camino de Santiago
✓ Detailed Canary-Hiking itinerary with practical information
✓ Access to the Canary-Hiking Travel App with daily programmes, routes, GPX files and accommodation information
✓ 1 month of free access to the Komoot app from the start of your trip
- Prices are based on 2 persons
- Beautiful rough interior
- Reservoirs
- Special overnight stays
- Pilgrimage
- Lugagetransfer
- Camino Santiago with stamp pass
- Adventurous
1| Arrival day.
Your transfer will take you to Maspalomas. You will spend the night in a nice accommodation with a swimming pool.
2| Maspalomas to Fataga (Arteara)
You leave from the lighthouse with the stamp card you obtained. The first stamp can be obtained at the tourist information center, and of course at the lighthouse.
This stage takes you up towards Fataga Arteara, a long hike that doesn’t start too hard.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation difference: +510 up / – 150 down
3| Departure from Fataga (Arteara) to San Bartolomé
A nice stage to the place where the Camino officially begins. The church in San Bartolomé, Tunte. After you have stamped your pilgrim card, continue your route into the high mountains. Your stay will be in a nice Casa Rural, right in the center of San Bartolomé.
The Jacobean Route of Gran Canaria originally starts here and connects the two parishes, that of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and the parish of Santiago Apóstol de Gáldar. It is perhaps the most attractive stage, without detracting from the rest of the journey. You walk through the heart of Gran Canaria and discover the low mountains. A demanding route in the first third of the route, but one that will reward you with beautiful views of the ever-present Roque Nublo.
Distance: 11 km
Elevation difference: +630 up / – 110 down
4| Departure from San Bartolomé to Tejeda
This variant is included in the Way of St. James because this is the most beautiful part of Gran Canaria. Roque Nublo and the picturesque town of Tejeda, which has been declared one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. This variant of the Camino became official in 2021. In Cruz de Tejeda you can get stamps at the local wooden stalls.
Tejeda is also your rest day, you will stay here for 2 nights. We have an optional extra walk.
Distance: 19.7 km
Elevation difference: +990 up / – 810 down
5| Rest day in Tejeda
6| Departure from Tejeda to Gáldar
After your card has been filled with more stamps, you leave for Gáldar. A long descent with sometimes difficult steep sections. A journey through the natural history of the island, discovering black volcanoes, lush forests among the clouds and green meadows.
Gáldar is the end of this journey! You can collect your certificate in the large cathedral
Distance: 25.5 km
Elevation difference: +760 up / – 1710 down
7| Free day in Galdar
8| 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, this is of course also possible. We arrange everything for your trip!
Including
- Travel time: 8 days
- Transfer airport
- Lugagetransfer
- Self-guided hiking trip over 65 km
- Digital route with script
- 4 accommodations along or near the route
- Most accommodation with breakfast with breakfast
- Pilgrim pass
- Travel guarantee STO
- Acces to our travel app
Exclusive
- Outward and return journey
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- All meals and drinks except in the programm
- Booking costs
- Possible single room supplement
- Transfers outside the program
Our special accommodations
Due to the small scale, not all accommodations may be available. We then move to another accommodation that is of the same quality.
Distance
74 km
Difficulty
Medium/Heavy
Up
2890.m
Down
2780 m.
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.























