Walkwise Winter Walking in Gran Canaria
Late Winter Walking in Gran Canaria
A Canarian oasis of sun, sand, mountains and coast. Peering down from our roof top pool we are inspired by a hotel that is not only located in the capital but is set on a magnificent isthmus. This peninsula is draped by delightful scenery and composes of two bays yet is right in the heart of the action with countless historic sights, baroque Spanish plazas and restaurants all around us. The purpose of this specifically designed walking holiday is to get the most out of the third largest of the Canary Islands that boast a stunning mountainous interior filled with verdant pines and traditional villages. Typically thought of as a sun worshipers’ heaven this island provides an amazing walking destination. There is a diverse wealth of flora, landscapes and history to explore. The island being relatively small, just 600sq miles rising to around 6000ft which makes everywhere very accessible, and also an interesting and varied scenery with sandy beaches, towering dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, wooded valleys, terraced farms, and then on the high plateaus are the vast calderas of dormant volcanos as well as the ‘spaghetti’ western-like mountains of Roque Nublo. Staying in the capital also gives us access to better roads and minimises the length of time on the coach compared to other destinations on the island.
Your holiday includes
- International flights
- Airport transfers
- Hold Luggage as outlined on the flights
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 evening meals
- 5 picnic lunches
- 5 guided walks led by professional guides with two walks each day a harder and easier option to suit your needs
Your holiday extras
- Single supplement if required
- Personal travel insurance
- 4 Evening Meals
- Drinks
- Optional excursions
- Personal extras
- Local transport approx €25 per person per walking day payable locally,
Location & Itinerary
For many, the long sunny days and acres of golden sands are the essence of Gran Canaria, but even lying on the beach the eyes of the true walker are drawn up to the island’s central mountains, the awe-inspiring high ridges and gravity defying formations of La Cumbres. Thankfully the heart of the island has remained unchanged, unspoilt and to many visitors unknown. In fact, for years these areas were only accessible by Caminos, and it is these ancient paths that will lead the intrepid walkers into the true Gran Canaria. The interior is imposing to say the least, with plunging ravines, towering cliffs and numerous volcanos. The ancient routes have been extended to allow greater access for the walkers. It remains remote, wild, and rough and we will be staying on recognised routes. Yet despite such rugged harshness there is a softness of spring, the winter’s rains should have fallen by now, providing the necessary impetus for life, and with it, a blaze of colour across the slopes. The flora stretches right up to island’s highest point of Pico de las Nieves, where a truly superb panorama can be viewed across the whole of Gran Canaria and if you are lucky right across to several other of the Canary Islands. From here you can appreciate the distinct regions and habitats that the island has to offer. Further north the open pine forests give way to deep lush green valleys which eventually lead down to the rugged coastline. However, to the south there is a different picture, the valleys are browner, drier, yet surprisingly hold the islands water supply in dramatic lakes and reservoirs. To enable you to get the most from your stay in Gran Canaria, the WalkWise guides have put together a walking programme that tries to encompass the many aspects of the island. As such we will be walking in a variety of different habitats and areas, the scents of the open pine forests, the dizzy heights of some the narrow and lofty mountain trails, the imposing deep cavernous gorges, the rugged coastlines and the high, wild, remote plateaus. We will also walk through lost villages, terraced farms and explore some of the quieter villages, where you will no doubt sample some of the local refreshments at the typical tavernas.
With such a wealth of habitats and scenery our walking program is varied to say the least. Each day you can choose from two walks, either take it easy, walking 7-9 miles with between 300 & 1200ft of ascent, or push yourself a little, doing 8-12 miles with around 2000ft ascent (some hard walks require a good head for heights).
Travel & Stay
The Hotel Exe is officially rated as a 4 star hotel and it will be our base for the week. It is a large hotel that prides itself on its cleanliness and courteous service. The rooms at Exe Las Palmas are comfortable, tranquil and functional spaces where every detail is designed to provide the best experience to every guest. All of them are classically decorated in neutral tones and have the usual features such as Wi-Fi internet connection, air conditioning, Safety deposit box, hair dryer, telephone and LCD TV. The hotel offers us the best base from which to explore the island’s walking whilst also being in the heart of the capital. That’s why we have decided to go for a mixture of 3 nights eating at a nearby local beach restaurant and 4 nights experiencing the delights of the other local restaurants of your own choice. Although the hotel does not have it’s own bar being here means there are plenty of very nearby coffee shops and bars for you to visit during the evening and plenty to go at on the day off or any non-walking day you choose. We will find one or more nearby where we can use as our meeting point each night possibly down by the nearest beach.
Provisional Flight information
16/03/2024 Gatwick to Las Palmas Dep: 0630 Arr: 1055
23/03/2024 Las Palmas to Gatwick Dep: 1140 Arr: 1600
16/03/2024 Manchester to Las Palmas Dep: 0625 Arr: 1050
23/03/2024 Las Palmas to Manchester Dep: 1125 Arr: 1555
16/03/2024 Birmingham to Las Palmas Dep: 0925 Arr: 1415
23/03/2024 Las Palmas to Birmingham Dep: 1515 Arr: 1945
16/03/2024 Edinburgh to Las Palmas Dep: 0545 Arr: 1025
23/03/2024 Las Palmas to Edinburgh Dep: 1100 Arr: 1545
Luggage allowance for Gatwick is one hold bag of 25kg and a small cabin bag (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). It is possible to add a larger cabin bag if required when booking.
Luggage allowance for Manchester & Edinburgh is one hold bag of 20kg and a small cabin bag (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). It is possible to add a larger cabin bag if required when booking.
Luggage allowance Birmingham is one hold bag of 22kg and one cabin bag weighing no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
Transfers
It's only a 30 minute transfer to the hotel, where we can get on with the more important things, enjoying the holiday!
Availability & Pricing
| Accommodation | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Place in a double room (must be for 2) | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a twin share room (female only) | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a twin share room (male only) | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a single room | £280.00 | Sold Out |
| Flights | Price | |
| Own flight without transfers | £1135.00 | Sold Out |
| Gatwick | £1355.00 | Sold Out |
| Manchester | £1355.00 | Sold Out |
| Edinburgh | £1385.00 | Sold Out |
| Birmingham | £1415.00 | Sold Out |
| Option | Price | |
| Additional 10kg cabin bag - Gatwick | £60.00 | Sold Out |
| Additional 10kg cabin bag - Manchester | £60.00 | Sold Out |
| Additional 10kg cabin bag - Edinburgh | £70.00 | Sold Out |
Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist
Passport validity
You should have at least 6 months remaining on your passport from the start date of your holiday and your passport must be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left).
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
The latest FCO travel guidance for Spain -
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/Spain
Host & Everything Else
The weather on Gran Canaria is often described as mild all year round, with a typical March temperature of 23oC which is very pleasant for walking! But as always there is a little more to it than this, the main rains fall in January and February, which turn the island green for a while thereafter. The winds have a dominant effect on the weather; a northerly, brings cloud by lunch time, the easterly’s heat and dry haze, and the tropical winds the possibility of thunder! So as clear as Michael Fish eh! Basically, as always please be aware that it can be extremely sunny, and you should protect yourself from the midday sun and drink lots of water, but at nearly 2000m it can also turn quite cold and fleeces and waterproofs may be needed.
You need to have many of the same things with you, as you would have for a typical British spring day on the mountains. The following list is a suggestion of what you may wish to bring with you
You MUST have:
- Walking boots
- A Water bottle (minimum 1 litre, 2litre is much better)
- A Rucksack with a plastic liner
- Waterproofs: jacket and trousers
- A Warm hat
- Warm gloves (not leather)
- Thick walking socks
- Base layer: (thin thermal or warm T-shirt. Best not to be cotton as it gets cold when wet)
- Over layer: (warm sweater or fleece)
- Extra layer: warm top for when cold (e.g. when stopped for lunch)
- Comfortable walking trousers (not jeans as they are too cold & heavy when wet)
- Personal Medication
- A torch for use in the tunnels
- Smart casual clothes for the evening.
- T shirts
- Shorts
- Swim wear
- Sun tan lotion
- Sun glasses
You may wish to bring:
- Vacuum flask (if you like hot drinks on the hill)
- Medium size Tupperware container or plastic bag, to put picnic lunch in.
- Sit mat
- Lip salve
- Camera
- Personal first aid kit
Andrew Casey - Walkwise International
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.
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