Five Unmissable Walking Routes in Gran Canaria

Often described as a 'continent in miniature', with its dramatic ridges, volcanic peaks, and fragrant pine forests, Gran Canaria is a dream destination for walkers. 

With its well-marked trails passing through everything from high-altitude lava fields and terraced valleys to ancient cave dwellings and wave-lashed cliffs, it’s not just one of the best Canary Islands for walking, but one of the best destinations in Europe. 

With varied difficulty levels and rich natural and cultural highlights, our pick of Gran Canaria walking routes showcases the very best of the island on foot.

Thanks to its mild year-round climate, Gran Canaria is ideal for autumn and winter walking breaks. Whether you're heading up to Pico de las Nieves, tracing a forest loop through Tamadaba Natural Park, or descending into the whitewashed village of Tejeda, every route we've picked out here has been carefully chosen for its scenic value, accessibility, and sense of place. 

Tamadaba Circular

Stretching well over 100,000 hectares, the UNESCO-protected Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve (Unesco.org) covers almost half of the central and southwestern part of the island. And at the heart of this area is the remarkable Tamadaba Natural Park. 

This beautiful circuit through Tamadaba Natural Park (Hellocanaryislands.com) is one of Gran Canaria’s most atmospheric forest walks, offering quiet trails, sweeping sea views, and on quieter days a genuine sense of wildness and isolation. 

Starting near Área Recreativa de Llanos de La Mimbre, the route leads through protected Canarian pine forests, up onto high plateaus, stone-walled agricultural terraces, and sections of cliff-edge trail with striking views out over the west coast. 

The forest is home to endemic species such as the blue chaffinch, Canarian pine vole, and native wild herbs and broom that thrive in the dry, high-altitude conditions. It’s a varied loop that feels remote but is well-marked and well-maintained, making it ideal if you're looking for a mix of safe-feeling wilderness in one of the island’s least developed regions.

Need to know: distance: 10.5 km; walking time: 4–4.5 hrs; ascent/descent: ↑↓ 500 m; difficulty: moderate. Trailhead: Área Recreativa Tamadaba (Maps.app.goo.gl/). 

Llanos de la Pez to Pico de las Nieves

This high-altitude route climbs from the pinewood picnic area of Llanos de la Pez to the summit of Pico de las Nieves, which at 1,949m is the highest point on Gran Canaria (Wikipedia.org). The walk is a steady uphill climb through ancient pine forest, with several miradores offering stunning views of Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga, and the Tejeda basin.

The final stretch opens up dramatically, with far-reaching views across the island and, on clear days, over to the often snow-capped peak of Tenerife’s Mount Teide glinting in the sun. 

Along the way, you may spot kestrels and lizards, as well as plenty of plant species adapted to the high-altitude climate. The trail is well-marked and never overly tricky or technical, making it a rewarding summit walk if you're a confident hiker looking for elevation and impact that's also low on risk.

Need to know: distance: 11 km (out and back); walking time: 4–5 hrs; ascent/descent: ↑↓ 650 m; difficulty: moderate to challenging. Trailhead: Llanos de la Pez (Maps.app.goo.gl/). 

Tejeda to Roque Nublo

This rewarding out-and-back hiking trail links the mountain village of Tejeda with one of the island’s most iconic landmarks: Roque Nublo (Grancanaria.com), the 80-metre-high volcanic monolith perched on a high plateau above the Tejeda basin. 

Starting from the village centre, the trail ascends steadily through almond groves, pine forest, and rocky scrubland, passing the typical, terrace-wrapped hamlet of La Culata along the way.

The climb is well-graded and never technical, with increasingly expansive views of Roque Bentayga, the Caldera de Tejeda, and the surrounding peaks. Once at the base of Roque Nublo, you can take a short loop around its plateau for panoramic views over Gran Canaria’s rugged interior. It’s a classic mountain walking route that ticks a lot of boxes in one half-day hike - there's alpine atmosphere and striking natural features, plus a bit of local cultural charm along the way. A classic.

Need to know: distance: 10 km (round trip); walking time: 4–4.5 hrs; ascent/descent: ↑↓ 550 m; difficulty: moderate. Trailhead: Plaza Ntra. Sra. del Socorro, Tejeda (Maps.app.goo.gl/)

Circular Artenara - Cuevas del Caballero

This circular route starts and ends in the highland village of Artenara, exploring a scenic loop through pine forest, ridgelines, and cave-pocked cliffs above the Tejeda basin. 

The highlight is a visit to the Cuevas del Caballero (Artenara.es). These pre-Hispanic caves are carved into soft volcanic rock, and are steeped in Guanche legend with whispers of witchcraft, as well as probably having been used for ceremonial purposes.

The walk combines gentle gradients with sweeping views over Roque Bentayga, Roque Nublo, and the surrounding craters and valleys. It’s a peaceful, culturally rich option ideal for a lighter day if you’re staying around Artenara and want to explore the surrounding landscape without a long transfer or summit push.

Need to know: distance: 7.5 km; walking time: 2.5–3 hrs; ascent/descent: ↑↓ 350 m; difficulty: easy to moderate. Trailhead: Mirador de Unamuno, Artenara (Maps.app.goo.gl/). 

Fagajesto to Tejeda

This atmospheric walk starts in the highland hamlet of Fagajesto and ascends through fragrant pine forests in the Pinar de Gáldar, following historic trails before descending into the scenic village of Tejeda. 

As you climb, expect volcanic gravel underfoot, which can make footing slippery - but the reward comes in the form of soaring views, a sea of clouds, and the soft calls of Canarian birds above the treetops. Near the summit, take a moment to catch your breath at the Degollada de las Palomas viewpoint (Grancanaria.com), where panoramic scenes of Roque Nublo, Bentayga, and Tejeda’s mountain basin surround you.

This trail offers both physical challenge and remarkable beauty - finishing up in one of Spain’s most photogenic villages. Tejeda, perched on terraced slopes with the iconic volcanic monoliths of Roque Nublo and El Bentayga framing it, makes a picture-postcard-worthy destination - perfect at sunrise or sunset.

Need to know: distance: ~13 km; walking time: 6 hrs; ascent/descent: ↑ ~825 m / ↓ ~700 m; difficulty: moderate to challenging. Trailhead: Outside Bar-Tienda Antonio Pinocha, Fagajesto (Maps.app.goo.gl/).

Thinking of a walking trip to Gran Canaria? See if our self-guided walking holidays are what you’re looking for.

Or for more walking inspiration in the Canary Islands, see our other guides to the best routes on La Gomera and Tenerife’s top hikes.