Walking on Gran Canaria : 45 day walks including five days on the GR131 coast-to-coast route

Gran Canaria is far more than a beach destination. Away from the coastal resorts lies a remarkably varied landscape known as a continent in miniature, packed with deep volcanic barrancos, ancient laurisilva forests, pine-covered ridges, and the dramatic rock formations of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga rising from the island's rugged highland core. This guidebook by expert Paddy Dillon covers 40 day walks and a five-stage GR131 coast-to-coast route. Day walks range from 5 to 22km (3 to 14 miles), taking between 2 and 7 hours, while the GR131 covers 77km (48 miles) from Puerto de las Nieves to Maspalomas. Routes traverse the central highlands around Cruz de Tejeda, the Tamadaba pine forest, La Aldea, Mogán, and the sand dunes of Maspalomas, with shorter walks combinable into longer itineraries. Iconic highlights include Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga, the Caldera de Bandama, and Pico de las Nieves, the island's highest summit. Each route includes 1:50,000 mapping alongside practical information on public transport, facilities, and access, making it straightforward to reach trailheads without a car from Las Palmas or the southern resorts. Gran Canaria is a year-round walking destination, with spring the ideal season and winter offering reliable good weather on lower routes. This guidebook is your essential companion for discovering one of the best-kept secrets in the Canary Islands.