Trekking in Gran Canaria  from North to South

Long distance trekking in Gran Canaria

This hike is a perfect route for those trekking in Gran Canaria without car. The trekking crosses from north to south the Island of Gran Canaria and shows the main interesting spots. The trail begins in Agaete, a village located in the north-west of the island of Gran Canaria. In the point where starts the path, there is an information map as the one you have in this description.  

Agaete – Natural Park of Tamadaba

The path that goes to the top of Tamadaba is the S90 and the traverse starts following this path during the firsts kilometres until the reservoirs there are in Tamadaba. During this first part the path is wide at first and as going up will lead you to see nice views of Roque Faneque. As going up the views will change and the walls will surround you and small aborigines caves are possible to be seen in Montaña Bibique. At this point, is gained many meters of elevation in the next kilometre. After the step way up the typical Canarian pine forest will offer you protection until the camping area of the Natural Park of Tamadaba. From this point is suggested to do different hikes to the summit of Tamadaba (1h) and to Roque Faneque (3h). 

Tamadaba – Cruz de Tejeda – Tejeda a Forest walk

From the camping area straight up to the south-west is found the S93 path that will lead you to the S90 again that will be followed until Cruz de Tejeda. Throughout this area, the path is crossing several times the road as it’s going close to it through a forest walk.

As a suggestion, in finca Tirma there is a trail that leads you to the path S95 Altavista (literally means High View). At this point is suggested to hike to Acusa Verde and Acusa Seca following the S88 and ending again in the path S90 near Artenara. For doing this alternative notice that will take you 6 hours easily and the path from Altavista to Acusa Verde is not used and not cleaned since time ago and being careful as going down is essential.

In Artenara the path becomes wider during the next kilometres and gaining altitude will allow you to have a great view of Roque Bentayga, a really impressive sacred natural monument. After this view going down you will arrive at Cruz de Tejeda from where starts a path to Tejeda S85 through La Isa. Tejeda is declared as one of the most beautiful villages of Spain so is recommended to take a closer look at it.

Tejeda – Roque Nublo – Pico de las Nieves

From Tejeda the S85 lead you to la Culata following at first the road to Cuevas Caidas. A path starts in Cuevas Caidas and goes all the way up to la Culata and from here to Roque Nublo through Degollada Blanca and doing a circular Route around Roque Nublo and continuing to La Goleta where all the tourists park to go to Roque Nublo. Looking to the South from the parking, there is the path S51 that will lead you to the summit of the Island and allowing you to have a really good perspective of Roque Nublo and the south of the island.

On the summit of the island, Pico de las Nieves, at 1947m of altitude the views can be spectacular if there is good visibility. The amazing walls of Riscos de Tirajana will make you feel like you are in the top of the world.

Pico de las Nieves – San Bartolomé de Tirajana

Taking back from the summit the same path S51, in the mountain pass where is found a path information sign to go to Llanos de la Pez looking to the south through the walls of Riscos de Tirajana starts a path that leads you to la Culata, the village is seen at the feet of the walls.

This part starts going down through the canyon and before arriving at the big walls the route starts to go to the right not losing much elevation, passing by a hole in a wall and once passed this characteristic hole, the route starts to go down through the right side of the canyon and going to the right after 100m of elevation. From this point, the route is going to the ridge of the mountain is seen above you and going to the left side of the ridge and will have to be followed the little river until the road. For arriving at San Bartolomé de Tirajana is followed the road at first and a small one is leading to a path that arrives at the village.  

Warning

This part of the route is the most exposed one with narrow paths, not suitable for people scared of heights or not experimented in technical routes. The route is exposed to big walls and to a Via Ferrata pass really easy but not proper for those not experienced. Furthermore, the path is not clean and sometimes can be hard to find the path. Avoid this path in case of rain or if there is any probability of raining because in that case the canyons turn into really strong waterfalls and no bridge is constructed. This part can be avoided in case is needed, keep reading. This area of Riscos de Tirajana can be avoided if the S51 is followed until Degollada de los Hornos where following the S50 is possible to arrive at San Bartolomé de Tirajana. 

San Bartolomé Tirajana – Fataga – Maspalomas

Once you are in San Bartolomé de Tirajana the route is following the S54 path is really easy and pass by the beautiful village of Fataga, the Necropolis of Arteara and arriving after a long wide path to Faro de Maspalomas, the southernmost part of the island where is found a lighthouse.

-Recommendations: 

-Avoid all kind of canyons and steep terrains in case of rain. Though the canyon can be dry it can turn into a strong river with waterfalls in seconds.

-The temperature at night above 1000m can be cold, especially during wintertime. At the summits area can go below 5ºC degrees.

-Is recommended to include in the traverse the hike to Roque Faneque, Altavista and Acusa Seca. Would sum one day to your route.

-Do not drink from streams or springs, except those that are marked as drinking water.

-In case of setting up a tent to avoid the camping areas and nearby without permission and notice that is illegal to set up a tent in Spain. If it is wanted to take the risk, set up the tent in a remote place at sunset and wake up early to avoid forest rangers. During summertime there are more controls.