Gran Canaria is not the biggest of the Canary Islands, but it more than makes up for that in terms of variety. From the bustling capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to the sand dunes in the south and volcanic mountainous terrain around the Pico de las Nieves, the island offers something for everyone.
For cyclists, there’s excellent road biking, a large network of mountain bike trails, and gentle cycle paths for families. Watersports enthusiasts will love the waves, the consistent winds and the quiet coves – perfect for exploring by kayak.
Hikers can easily navigate the huge choice of paths, but there is no shortage of friendly local guides willing to show people around. And this is before we’ve even started talking about food, drink and culture.
Gran Canaria’s eternal spring
Eternal sunshine might be the stuff of Hollywood fantasy, but there is a place where the weather is almost always sunny and springlike: Gran Canaria’s subtropical location means the climate stays constant throughout the year. Temperatures are always pleasant, fluctuating in the narrow range of 18 to 24 degrees, the perfect temperature for outdoor adventures. There’s very little seasonal variation, and although the water is colder in winter, it’s possible to sunbathe year round.
Variety of landscapes
Known as ‘a continent in miniature’, the island has everything, from white sand beaches fringed by palm trees to thick forests, to rugged mountains and sand dunes. It’s even been known to snow on the island’s highest points, Morro de la Agujereada, and the appropriately named Picos de las Nieves (peaks of snow).
The sheer variety of landscape types means that although you can drive round the whole island in under three hours, you’ll never run out of things to explore.
Hiking
One of the best ways to explore Gran Canaria is by foot. Gran Canaria offers some of the best hiking routes in the Canary Islands. The island is criss-crossed by well-signposted walking trails that take you through various landscapes, and connect many of the major sights. The 11km path from Tamadaba campsite, in the eponymous national park, is a particular highlight.
Every October since 2012, the island has hosted the Gran Canaria Walking Festival – a celebration of hiking and the local landscapes.
Stargazing in Gran Canaria
Blessed with high peaks, clean air, and very little light pollution Gran Canaria is an ideal place to admire the wonders of the universe. The island also has a special advantage as a stargazing spot, thanks to a cloud phenomenon known to locals as ‘the donkey’s belly’.
Clouds tend to gather around the island’s peaks at about 500m above sea-level. This blocks out the lights from the cities, while leaving the peaks clear and cloud-free. There are several observatories on the island, all of which offer visits and stargazing tours.
Food and drink
Wherever you eat in Gran Canaria, the food is unfailingly delicious, but there are a few delicacies that are worth singling out for special praise. The upper reaches of the island are famous for their almonds, and the village of Tejeda, nearly 2,000m above sea-level, makes some of the finest marzipan you’ll taste anywhere on earth, as well as bienmesabeor, (or ‘taste me good’), a special local desert made with almonds, honey and orange zest.
Rum, often made from honey, is another local specialty on Gran Canaria, and a visit to the Areucas distillery is the perfect way to spend a bit of down time between activities. The local wine is enjoyed best straight from the source while visiting the vineyard.
Cycling in Gran Canaria
With its consistent climate and winding mountain roads, Gran Canaria is something of a road cyclist’s paradise. There is a dizzying array of challenging climbs to choose from, almost of them offering stunning views across the island’s rugged landscapes and out to the Atlantic Ocean. For mountain bikers, the menu of trails on offer is arguably even more delectable –the longest ones offer more than 1,000 vertical metres of descent, snaking down from the peaks in the centre of the island to the coast.
Watersports
Gran Canaria is naturally equipped with everything you need for watersports. There are surf spots scattered all around the island, so you’ll almost certainly be able to find good waves no matter which direction the swell is coming from.
The Atlantic winds are perfect for sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing and if you’re into sea-kayaking or stand up paddleboarding, you’ll find a whole host of secluded coves and beaches to explore. Whatever the activity, if you can do it on the water, you can do it in Gran Canaria.
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