Safety & Tips

Mountain Walking Safety

Safety is very important when considering a walking holiday to Gran Canaria, Spain (or any other destination). Make sure that you plan your hikes carefully, Gran Canaria never gets dark before 18.00, make sure you can complete your hike before darkness allowing for picnic breaks etc.

It is always best to start your hikes as early as you can manage. All walks described are undertaken at your own risk.

There are a few vertiginous sections in a few walks in my Guide 'Don’t leave Gran Canaria without seeing it', these are indicated in the text. Some paths are showing signs of erosion, and must be walked with care.

If you want information on some more adventurous paths please Contact me

There is information in Volume 2 of some longer and more challenging routes.

My wife Eileen and I are both over 60 years young, and have done all of these walks in the times given, but we are too old to be mountain goats. However, younger and fitter walkers will naturally be faster, but everyone attempting these walks should have some hiking experience and be reasonably fit.
- Rambling Roger

If you have never done a self-guided walk before it may be best to go on a guided walk first with one of the following companies to get an idea of the geography etc. of the island.

Discovery Gran Canaria, Free Motion and Walk in Gran Canaria all offer guided walks several times a week, and have websites for details about schedules etc.

Self-Guided Walking

For experienced hikers my walking notes in my Guides 'Don’t leave Gran Canaria without seeing it', should enable you to navigate the routes without any problems

In the unlikely event of getting lost retrace your steps to an identifiable position, and try again, or ask for help, the local country people are usually very friendly and helpful, few speak English but all are good at sign language !

For all the latest updates regarding walks and routes etc. please check out the Walk Updates page. See also our page about Hiking Equipment

Off the Beaten Track

One of the reasons Gran Canaria has been relatively unknown as a walking holiday destination is that the signposting of routes historically has not been good, and those routes that have been signposted often start and finish in the middle of nowhere.

During the last few years many old paths have been restored and improved, but in most areas few signs have been erected. However things are now changing, and now many of our “secret” paths are now being signposted.

Since the spring of 2014 the authorities have started to signpost the major walking routes all over Gran Canaria. Some areas such as the Centre and North are now quite well covered by signposted routes. This work is still ongoing, I hope that in the next year or so more routes will be signposted in the south. This will enable more people the opportunity to enjoy walking the magnificent mountains of Gran Canaria.

There are still many routes where you can, if you wish, walk for several hours without seeing any houses or people, but now many of these routes will have signposts for the first time.