Best Canary Island for Walking

With year-round sunshine, dramatic volcanic terrain, and a wealth of well-marked trails, the Canary Islands are one of Europe’s most rewarding hiking destinations. 

But with each island offering its own very distinct landscapes and character, how do you choose the best one? 

Whether you’re looking for peaceful walks through ancient woodland or climbs up soaring volcanic peaks, here’s our breakdown of the best Canary Islands for a walking holiday.

 

 

La Gomera - For Perfect Temperatures

If you’re after consistent, walkable weather no matter the season, La Gomera is pretty hard to beat. The island’s got a subtropical climate that’s licked by cooling Atlantic trade winds, so it stays pleasantly mild from spring/summer through to autumn/winter.

With average daytime temperatures falling squarely between 18°C to 28°C, you rarely need to worry about rain or extremes of heat. Which means more time on the trail and less time checking the forecast or packing and unpacking your waterproofs.

At the island’s heart is the UNESCO-protected Garajonay National Park, a dense, mossy laurel forest stretching over 3,900 hectares. With its twisting paths and damp, shady valleys, it can feel a bit like you’ve wandered into a fairytale. 

Our recommended route: From Chipude to Valle Gran Rey. This route snakes from the centre of the island with its lush forest landscapes to the almost desert-like landscapes down on the coast. 

Finish up a warm day’s walking with a swim, before watching the sun set stretched out on a black sand beach.

Route details: 5 - 6 hrs, 14.5 km / 9 mi, 240 m ascent, 1100 m descent.

 

  

La Palma - For Quiet Solo Hikes

Nicknamed ‘La Isla Bonita’, La Palma is one of the quietest as well as the prettiest of the Canary Islands. It attracts less than 1% of the archipelago’s total visitors and a fraction of those who make their way to Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

As such, it’s one of the best places to head if you’re planning a solo hiking holiday. An extensive network of quiet trails winds its way between uncrowded peaks and damp, mossy, Laurisilva, the ancient laurel forests that cover a quarter of the island’s surface. And you frequently get to enjoy it all to yourself, in blissful silence, save for the sound of the wind sighing in the trees or the chirping of birdsong.

Our recommended route: From Los Franceses to Barlovento. Although quite a challenging route due to the steep climbs and descents through one of the wildest parts of the island, you’re rewarded by stunning scenery.

The north of La Palma is a complete contrast to what you'll find in the more arid south. And the vegetation here never ceases to amaze. At La Tosca, you'll pass the mythical beast-shaped Dragon Trees (Dracaena draco - Wikipedia.org) that are a symbol of the island.

Route details: 11 km / 7 mi, 925 m ascent, 725 m descent, 5.5 - 6 hrs.

 

 

Gran Canaria - For Variety & Views 

Gran Canaria is often described as a continent in miniature. And for walkers, that’s exactly what it feels like because of the variety of landscapes it manages to pack in. The island’s network of Caminos Reales (Royal Paths) ranges across everything from the lush ravines of the north to the arid volcanic valleys of the south, with dramatic inland peaks in between. 

Highlights include the ascent to Roque Nublo, a towering volcanic peak, and trails through the extensive pine forests of Tamadaba Natural Park.

Our recommended route: From Fagajesto to Tejeda: With its pine forests and volcanic cones shrouded in cloud and echoing to the sound of bird song, this is one of the most atmospheric hiking trails on the island. 

As you approach Tejeda, the Degollada de las Palomas viewpoint (before beginning the final descent) allows you to catch your breath and enjoy the stunning 360-degree views. 

Reaching Tejeda brings further reward. One of Spain’s most beautiful villages, at sunrise and sunset, the views of Roque Nublo, El Bentayga, and Pico de las Nieves flanking the village are picture-postcard-worthy.

Route details: 6.5 / 5 hrs, 13.5 - 11 km / 8,5 - 7 mi, 700 / 825 m ascent, 700 m descent.

 

 

Tenerife - For More than Mount Teide

It almost goes without saying that Tenerife is home to Spain’s highest mountain, the 3,715m Mount Teide. The hiking here is on a grand scale, too. In the centre of the island, Teide National Park offers high-altitude trails through volcanic calderas, lava fields, and pumice-strewn plateaus, all in the shadow of El Teide itself. 

If you want to walk through a landscape offering an almost lunar-like sense of space and scale, few places in Europe match it.

Our recommended route: Exploring the Anaga Natural Park. Walking on Tenerife definitely isn’t limited to El Teide, though. Up in the northeast of the island, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Anaga (Unesco.org) is one of the most beautiful corners of the Canary Islands, bar none.

Hiking the tangle of ancient footpaths that wind their way through the rainforest-like laurel woods between Chamorga and Cruz del Carmen can feel like exploring an enchanted dreamscape. Utterly spectacular.

Route details: 11.5 km / 7 mi, 4.5 hrs, 400 m ascent and descent.

Still can’t decide which of the Canary Islands is best for your walking holiday? Our island-hopping tour takes in Tenerife, La Gomera, and La Palma. Or check out our full range of self-guided tours.