Gran Canaria & Lanzarote

This holiday is a combination of our two one week holidays Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

Here is your chance to walk a continent in just a week on Gran Canaria - a volcanic island just off the African coast with such vastly differing climates and landscapes that it has earned the name of ‘the miniature continent’. You’ll walk the high mountain range of the central Cumbre for endless dramatic views across the plains where remote cave villages hide amongst the rocks away from prying eyes. Further down the slopes you’ll find deep valleys full of lush vegetation and whitewashed rural villages on the Caminos Reales, the ancient pathways dating back to the early days of Spanish rule. Bask in the sun, stroll through alpine meadows and find shade in the majestic pine forests that dot the sub tropical valleys.

We stay in the historic port capital of Las Palmas, once an important trading post on route to the New World. Legend has it that Christopher Columbus stopped here to make repairs to his ship before continuing his voyage to the Americas. Over the centuries, Las Palmas has been visited (and occupied) by many nationalities and the multi-cultural influences are evident throughout the city. We will have time to explore the attractive and historical old quarters of Vegueta and Triana, a short bus ride from our hotel which is in the more modern quarter, where there are shops, restaurants and the magnificent sandy beach of Las Canteras. In the evenings we'll experience more local culture by dining in local restaurants.

For our second week we head to Lanzarote to discover a volcanic wonderland with a difference on an island of natural richness and wildlife found nowhere else in the world. Lanzarote’s striking volcanic cones and beautiful sandy beaches are well known but those in search of the pleasures that walking can bring are also well catered for on this most northerly of the Canary Islands. There are palm groves, vineyards, white-washed villages, and mountain vistas. The whole island is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve with over 40% of the island protected for its natural richness. There are plants endemic to the island, volcanic tubes, salt marshes and wild beaches.

From Haria the Valley of a Thousand Palms, follow old trading paths to Tequise, the ancient capital of Lanzarote, one of the best on the island with views over La Graciosa and the other tiny islands off the north coast. View ancient lava fields surrounded by towering volcanic cones in the Timanfaya National Park and make your way through verdant palm groves and vineyards taking in the fresh mountain air along the way.

We stay in the island’s capital, Arrecife, a good base from which to explore the rest of the island. With a wild coastline, deserted sandy beaches and welcoming rural villages, you’ll always find a place to relax and take in the views at the end of a walk and with temperatures that rarely fall below 20°C, what could be more perfect?