By Laura Jones
With the cold season slowly approaching, it’s the ideal time to start planning your next sunny escape! The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago situated off the coast of Africa, are perfect for it, offering mild temperatures year-round.
Not only that, these islands are known for their diverse terrains, from volcanic craters to exotic beaches, and the best way to explore these incredible landscapes is, undoubtedly, a walking holiday. So, here are the Canarian routes offered by the leading travel agency, Orbis Ways:
La Palma
La Palma is known as “La Isla Bonita”, or “The Beautiful Island”, for a good reason. It’s home to breathtaking natural beauty, offering perhaps the most dramatic walking experience in the Canaries. The island is also officially a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
One of the most popular walking holidays in La Palma is an 8-day route starting and finishing in the charming city of Santa Cruz. It covers 73 kilometers, taking you around the eastern side of the island, including numerous rural villages, stunning viewpoints along the coastline, the Caldera de Taburiente National Park with its volcanic formations and the natural amphitheatre of the Gulf Valley.
Gran Canaria
Commonly referred to as “a continent in miniature”, Gran Canaria does not lack impressive landscapes either. It is primarily a volcanic island, attracting hikers, however, it also has plenty of pristine beaches and lush forests to enjoy on your walking holiday. Being one of the largest and most popular of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria also offers great accessibility.
The Orbis Ways 8-day walking route in Gran Canaria commences at San Bartolomé de Tirajana and takes you 69 kilometers around the island to La Caldera. During it, you will learn about its rich cultural heritage by visiting the primitive villages built by the island’s Aboriginal inhabitants, known as the Guanche. Of course, you’ll also get to see Gran Canaria’s majestic mountains, the Chira Dam, Roque Nublo and the volcanic cauldron in Bandama.
El Hierro
Presenting a completely different walking experience, El Hierro is one of the Canary Islands’ least visited destinations, known for its untouched nature and rich culture. The island will amaze you with its constantly-changing terrain, as it can turn from mountains to the sea within minutes. What’s more, El Hierro boasts an incredibly unique flora and fauna - it’s home to the giant lizard, which was once thought to be extinct. This is why nearly 60% of the island has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve too.
Orbis Ways offers an excellent walking holiday route in El Hierro, taking 8-days to complete from Mocanal to Las Playas (80 kilometers total). It reveals the island’s cultural and natural heritage, bringing you through its best attractions and villages. The route also includes visits to an ancient laurel forest, the Jinama Viewpoint, natural pools at Las Puntas, El Golfo coast, Sabinosa and more.
The perfect island getaway
Since Orbis Ways have put together the perfect walking holiday routes in the Canaries, there are no excuses left… it’s time to book your next exotic island adventure!
