Description
Difficulty level
Trail Run Gran Canaria: Challenging Trail Run along the GR131
The Trail Run Gran Canaria is a challenging 8-day trail running trip along the GR131, from Puerto de Las Nieves in the north to Maspalomas in the south. Over 5 or 6 trail running days, you cover long stages through the mountainous interior of Gran Canaria, with significant ascents and descents.
With stages of more than 30 kilometres and over 2,000 metres of elevation gain, this trip is designed for experienced trail runners who want to test their fitness or prepare for a trail running race. Gran Canaria offers ideal conditions for this, with plenty of elevation changes, technical terrain and pleasant temperatures.
Along the route, you stay in carefully selected, small-scale accommodations. Canary-Hiking takes care of your luggage transfers and necessary transfers, allowing you to focus entirely on your training and the next trail running stage.
What makes this Trail Run Gran Canaria special?
✅ Trail running along the GR131: run through the mountainous interior of Gran Canaria and follow large sections of the official long-distance trail.
✅ Challenging trail stages: several stages are long and include significant elevation changes, with the toughest stage featuring more than 2,000 metres of elevation gain.
✅ Altitude training: train at different elevations and prepare specifically for a trail running race in mountainous terrain.
✅ Tamadaba and the Canary Island pines: run through the impressive Tamadaba mountain area and along trails surrounded by characteristic Canary Island pine trees.
✅ From 0 to 1,300 metres: the first major stage takes you from Agaete deep into the mountains towards Tejeda.
✅ From the mountains to the coast: finish your trail run with a descent towards Maspalomas and the Atlantic coast.
✅ 5 or 6 trail running days: choose an additional trail day or use the day in Tejeda as a rest day.
✅ Small-scale accommodation: stay in carefully selected accommodations suited to the different locations along the route.
Activity level
The Trail Run Gran Canaria is a challenging trail run designed for experienced trail runners with a very good level of fitness. The stages are long and regularly include significant ascents and descents. The first stage from Agaete to Tejeda is particularly demanding, covering more than 30 kilometres with approximately 2,290 metres of elevation gain.
You should be comfortable trail running on rugged and mountainous terrain and be able to train for several consecutive days. Good preparation is important. Make sure you have suitable trail running shoes, sufficient food and water, and clothing suitable for changing weather conditions. Weather conditions can vary considerably between the coast and the mountains of Gran Canaria.
This trip is not only a great way to experience Gran Canaria by trail, but also an excellent opportunity for altitude training and preparation for a trail running race.
Included in this trail running trip
✓ 8-day individual trail running trip
✓ 5 or 6 trail running days
✓ Overnight stays in carefully selected, small-scale accommodations
✓ Luggage transfers between accommodations
✓ All necessary passenger transfers during the trail running trip
✓ Airport transfer to Agaete on arrival
✓ Transfer from Maspalomas to the airport on departure
✓ Detailed Canary-Hiking travel itinerary with practical information
✓ Access to the Canary-Hiking Travel App with daily programmes, routes, GPX files and accommodation details
✓ 1 month of free use of the Canary-Hiking Komoot App from the start of your trip
- Prices are based on 2 persons
- Trail paths along special views
- Part of the GR131
- Beautiful rough surroundings
- Reservoirs
- Special overnight stays Casas Rurales
- Roque Nuble & Tejeda
- Extra running day
1| Arrival in Las Palmas
Upon arrival at the airport you will be taken to your accommodation in Agaete. Agaete is a nice town where you can enjoy delicious food. A friendly place with a church square and some bars. Puerto de Las Nieves is located close to Agaete. Las Nieves is very nice, with a rough coastline and many restaurants. The high cliffs at the harbor reminded us of Norway. Authentic restaurant to eat is: Restaurante Dedo De Dios.
2| Acclimatize in Agaete
Because the Canary Islands have a microclimate, with a warm climate, we ensure that you can acclimatize on the first day. Walk a short route and, if you feel like it, visit Europe’s only coffee plantation in San Pedro.
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.
*You can choose to exchange this day for the free day in Maspalomas. There will be an additional charge for this. You can check this option.
3| Departure Puerto de las Nieves to Tejeda
From the port you leave via the Tamada nature reserve to Tejeda. The official start of the GR131 is in Agaete. An area declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. You will see the fantastic 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 trail running path from Agaete to Tejeda is a challenging adventure tour. The route offers beautiful landscapes and some of the most breathtaking parts of Gran Canaria. The hiking trail to Tejeda follows a long route through the mountains. You follow a winding route through valleys and mountain paths until you arrive in Tejeda. The route from Agaete to Tejeda falls under the tough category.
Distance: 30,5 km
Elevation difference: +2290 up / –1240 down
4| Extra stage or rest day
A nice place for a rest day before continuing the tour to “Tunte”. Tejeda is one of the nicest villages in Gran Canaria. Nice to walk around, grab a terrace and enjoy a refreshing drink or ice cream. There are many food and drink options, as well as a supermarket. If you want to trail further, a stage has been added.
Distance: 21,2 km
Elevation difference: +1110 up / –1110 down
5| Tejeda to San Bartolomé
From Tejeda you follow the paths further south towards San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The route ends in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, a charming town located in a valley. Here you can relax and enjoy the local cuisine and culture before continuing your tour the next day.
Distance: 22,5 km
Elevation difference: +880 up / – 1040 down
6| Departure from San Bartolomé de Tirajana to Ayagaures
The journey from Tunte to Ayagaures is again a long journey with climbs and descents. From San Bartolomé you cross to reach the Barranco de Ayagaures. Ayagaures is a picturesque little town with a gigantic reservoir. A village where there is actually nothing to do. Except for a restaurant: La Cueva de Ayagaures. This restaurant is a nice and tasty restaurant. You will stay in a small-scale accommodation. This includes breakfast! There is no supermarket in Ayaguares!
Distance: 27,6 km
Elevation difference: +960 up / – 1540 down
7| Departure to Ayagaures to Maspalomas
Trail running from Ayagaures to Maspalomas is a beautiful last trail route in Gran Canaria. It offers a great mix of natural beauty and challenging terrain for runners who love adventure. The trail run starts at the Ayagaures Dam, located in the ravine of the same name. This is a popular spot for walkers and runners.
Via the ravine, this path leads you through a beautiful landscape of green valleys, rock formations and narrow paths. The terrain can be challenging at times, so be careful and take your time to enjoy the views. The path becomes slightly flatter and you pass dry riverbeds and palm forests. After about 15 kilometers you will finally reach Maspalomas, a popular seaside resort on the south coast of Gran Canaria. Here you can enjoy the beautiful sand dunes and relax on the beach after your trail run.
Distance: 19 km
Elevation difference: +180 up / – 490 down
8| Departure
You will be picked up by our transfer service and dropped off at the airport.
*It is possible to plan an extra trail day. You then have 6 trail days. You can select this option when making your reservation.
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.
Inclusive
- Travel time: 8 days
- Return transfer airport
- Individual trail ride over 130 km
- Lugage transfer
- Optional extra walking day
- Nice Casa Rurales private room and bathroom
- Some accommodations with breakfast
- Travel guarantee STO
- Whatsapp support during the trip
- Acces to our travel app
Exclusive
- Outward and return journey
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- All meals and drinks except breakfast
- Booking costs
- Possible single room supplement
- Possible 1 person supplement for luggage
- Transfers outside the program
Our special accommodations
Distance
130 km
Difficulty
Heavy
Up. D+
5870 m.
Down. D-
4790 m.
Can I help you?
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.
