A 85 km trail across the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.
Table of Contents
- GR131 Gran Canaria at a glance
- What is the GR131 Gran Canaria?
- Why Hike the GR131 Gran Canaria Long-Distance Trail
- How We Hiked the GR 131 In Gran Canaria
- Video of the the GR 131 in Gran Canaria: Day 1
- Which Direction Should You Hike
- Navigation on the GR131 Gran Canaria
- Best Time to Hike GR131 Gran Canaria
- Water and Food
- Weather
- What to Pack for Hiking the GR 131
- Wild Camping on the GR131 Gran Canaria
- A Route That Works (with Accommodation)
- Recommended Links & Resources
- FAQ GR131 Gran Canaria
- What makes this trail special
- Final Thoughts
This winter I hiked 85 km on the GR131 in Gran Canaria. Together with my dog Wingo and partner Jonatan. Wow! What a beautiful trail. The route goes across the island through all sorts of ecosystems and vegetation, ocean breeze, local villages, and wild Atlantic Ocean views. From green to dry. From mountains to desert. From one ocean to another.
I hope this little trail guide gets you excited about this trail and get you ready for hiking it yourself! I can highly recommend this trail. Over on my Youtube I'm sharing a daily vlog about the GR131 as well.
Can't find the answer in this guide? Drop a comment!
And let's connect. I share more tips and tales on my Youtube and Instagram.
Photo: Hiking the GR131 in Gran Canaria
Hi! My name is Suzanne and how exciting to have you here reading about the GR 131! Having hiked 11 long distance-trails totalling +2000 km, I consider myself an avid hiker, and I'm very excited and driven to help you get enthusiastic and prepared for trail life, a simple, healthy and natural way of travel and being with nature.
I already knew Gran Canaria from sailing in and out many times around Atlantic crossings, and I was wondering how exciting I would actually be to hike it. But walking across Gran Canaria, felt like a thing I had to do, and it blew my mind! I thought Gran Canaria was a very busy island, and in some parts it is. But once you walk away from the crowds you'll find pure and wild nature, in some parts even away from any civilization.
I'll share with you how we hiked it, good to know logistics, towns on the trail, and how to actually make it work.
GR131 Gran Canaria at a glance
- Distance: around 85 to 95 km depending on your route (there are some variations)
- Duration: 3 to 6 days. 2 for the super fast ones.
- Start: Agaete (north coast) (For us, you can also start in Mas Palomas)
- Finish: Maspalomas (south coast)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (especially the first climb)
- Accommodation: villages, rural stays, caves or wildcamp along the trail
- Navigation: mostly marked, GPX recommended
- Best time to hike: November to May
See here a 3 minute summary of our hike across GR131 Gran Canaria
What is the GR131 Gran Canaria?
The GR131 in Gran Canaria is part of the larger 131 that cross seven of the Canary Islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma & El Hierro.
On Gran Canaria, it roughly connects the north west coast with the south coast. Most commonly between Agaete and Maspalomas. It’s also called the Camino Natural de Gran Canaria, and along the way you’ll notice that parts of the route overlap with older camino routes.
In places like Tejeda and San Bartolomé de Tirajana, there are even references to the Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria. Recently some variations of the trail have been made with an option to hike to or from the airport. I believe the ‘old' route,' From Agaete to Mas Palomas (or vice versa), is more spectacular. In both the south and the north, the scenery blew my mind.
Officially the GR 131 of Gran Canaria are stage 15-19 of the larger GR 131 Trail (as per the Cicerone Guidebook)
Here we are hiking uphill away from Agaete. How good to be on trail again!
Why Hike the GR131 Gran Canaria Long-Distance Trail
We chose this island hike because it simply starts on our doorstep from the campervan. The homebase this winter in the Canaries. It's an easy to hike with our dog Wingo, and given the latitude, nice to hike in winter. We already hiked across Fuerteventura and Tenerife on the GR131 (both highly recommended!). Let's explore Gran Canaria!
The GR131 gives you a surprising amount of variety for such a short trail. You move through:
- Shaded forest
- Flower-rich meadows (in spring)
- Spectacular canyons!
- Tamadaba Nature Park (wowie!)
- Wuiet towns with cafés
- Ridges overlooking the islands
- So many different eco systems
The navigation is simple, the distances are reasonable, and you can resupply in a couple of towns along the way. The exposure near the highest point make the trail feel wild, but without the technical challenges of alpine terrain.
It’s a great training trail or a good option if you only have a few days and want something memorable and relatively logistically easily. I'd also recommend this trail if you're new to multi-day hiking and would like to test the waters before doing a big trail. And I would definetely hike this triail (or the GR131 across Tenerife) before sailing across the Atlantic, with little movement.
How We Hiked the GR 131 In Gran Canaria
It was me, my partner Jonatan, and our dog. We began at Ageate in the north-west. Simply because that's where we arrived with the campervan. We parked the van and set out. In the bay we found the first red and white GR trail marker. The first 10 kilometers are a steep ascent and oh so beautiful. We hiked from Agaete to Tamadada to Artenara to Cruz de Tejeda to Tunte to Ayagaurus and then Mas Palomas (keep on reading for the best trick ever for the last bit).
As the trail has some variations it wasn't just blindly following the red and white stripes. Each crossing had a surprisingly big amount of trail signs, if you're after the same route, which is the original, you got to stay a little bit alert.
There are 5 official stages. We more or less did a stage a day which is very doable. If you are a fast hiker you can combine some stages. We even met a trail runner who was going to do the whole thing in 1 day. As we were hiking with our dog we took lots of breaks. And we didn't want this trail to end!
We hiked the trail in late December. We had perfect hiking weather. We had some rain to start out with but that resulted in epic water falls and lots of drinking water for us and the dog so that turned out such a blessing. Higher up around Cruz de Tejeda it was cold, but that was temporary.
We carried a tent because we hiked with our dog Wingo. This gave us flexibility to wing it a little bit. Accommodation options along the route are there if you prefer not to camp but also they are often booked out in advance, and it can add up with the costs. I give some suggestions for accommodations further on in this blog.m
After finishing in Mas Palomas we were so lucky for an Ocean Nomads friend to be around who picked us up with his van, to drive back to ours. If you're without a dog you can simply take the bus. What a crazy contrast with the trail, this highway.
Video of the the GR 131 in Gran Canaria: Day 1
Here's a video of day 1 of hiking the GR 131, where we decide to just go for it, pack the picnic and set out. I talk through how we prepare, my favourite herbs and spices to bring, some thoughts as we set out.
In this video of 2 day, Tamadaba to Artenera, I stayed quiet and let nature, the views and the scenery do the magic. Enjoy!
Which Direction Should You Hike
You can walk the GR131 in both directions. Some people start in Agaete and walk south to Maspalomas. Others do the opposite. Both work.
If you start in the north, you go straight into a big climb and into the forests of Tamadaba, and finish in the dry south of the island.
If you start in the south, the hike builds more gradually and becomes greener and wilder as you move north.
In the end, it often comes down to practical things like accommodation availability, weather, and if you do this trail as part of more GR131 trails, which I can highly recommend! There's a ferry leaving to Tenerife from Agaete, very practical if you're continuing your route over there. I really liked Agaete. In Mas Palomas you probably want to stay as little time as possible. It's a very busy and popular sun sea sand holiday happening.
Navigation on the GR131 Gran Canaria
The trail is mostly marked with red and white GR signs, but not always consistently. In some sections, especially in the mountains and on descents, it’s easy to miss turns. Also, since there has been some variations made in other parts you need to follow different signs. We followed ‘Camino de Santiago' de Gran Canaria (except for the last bit Ayagauges to Mas Palomas – we found a way wilder option). I used Mapy and Alltrails for reference. See Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria on Alltrails for the route visualized.
And/or you can also download a GPX track (this is the GPX track from Mas Palomas to Agaete) and upload it to for example Mapy.
Best Time to Hike GR131 Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria, and all the Canary Islands, is one of the (if not THE) best places in Europe for a winter hike. From November to May, conditions are great, which each month offering something special. With many different eco systems to pass, weather wise you likely get a bit of everything.
- November is Warm, quiet, great start of the season
- December is an Ideal mix of sun and fresh air, cooler higher up
- January has cool mornings, clear days, also very good hiking conditions
- February has more stable weather, fewer crowds, great visibility
- March gets warmer, longer days, and spring is arriving
- April amazing. Warmer and longer days
- May it's getting warmer and more flowers start to come
We hiked this trail end of December, which was perfect. Sometimes we had to put all layers of clothes on, but mostly it was shirt and shorts. I hiked across Tenerife in May, which was spectacular with the flowers. I've spend numerous winters in the Canaries from October to June and each month would work for hiking. How cool is that?
If you can be spontaneous, it's really cool to hike this trail after rain. We had quite some spectacular waterfalls and lots of water which made drinking easy.
Overall it has mild temperatures. In summer, especially in the south, it can get very hot.
Water and Food
It's usually a dry area. And water is usually very limited on-trail (Though not when we hiked it). You can refill in each village, mostly at bars, restaurants and accommodations. Sometimes there are water points and streams in the wild. We were lucky, especially with the dog, with all the streams after the rain. Maps.me maps some of them. Always use a water filter. I recommend Maunawaii (better but heavier) and Katadyn BeFree (Ultralight and often good enough).
Tap water is often chlorinated. Each village has food options but be mindful about opening hours.
Opening Hours
Shops and cafés often are open limited hours. Anticipate to that so you can eat / resupply.
- open around 10
- close early afternoon
- close Mondays
- have long siesta breaks
Weather
Being in the middle of the Atlantic, the temperatures are generally pretty good all year round. I hiked on the GR131 in the Canaries in December, January, February, March, April and May. All Amazing!
- May = flowers + long days + mild temps
- Cruz de Tejeda = cold + exposed
- Wind is common and helpful
- Summer: avoid if possible (very hot, no shade)
- Winter: can be cold on some ridges
We hiked the GR131 across Gran Canaria late December. The stages between Agaete and Cruz de Tejeda can be cold (but great for hiking in my experience). From Cruz de Tejeda to the south it was much warmer, sometimes hot.
In this video, day 3 of our hike, we hike between Artenera and Tunte:
What to Pack for Hiking the GR 131
Keep it simple! I've seen some giant backpacks traversing through the sand dunes here. It can make the hike way tougher than it needs to be. You really don't need much. Make sure to bring:
- Water filter ( I recommend Maunawaii or Befree)
- Sun protection (Here's a DIY natural sunscreen recipe)
- Cap or hat and beanie (up at Cruz de Tejeda it's cold!)
- Offline maps (I use Maps.me and Alltrails)
- Warm, wind and waterproof layer (puffy + wind/rain jacket)
- Swimwear (or just use your underwear like I did and save some grams)
- One hiking outfit and one sleeping outfit
- Hiking shoes with good grip for sandy and cliff paths (I'm fan of Topo's).
My all time hiking and camping favourites
Gear that will last you for a very long time:
- Backpack: Osprey Eja (48L) for the females (here's a review) or Osprey Exos for the males (58)
- Patagonia 3L wind/water proof jacket
- Icebreaker Merino Wool Legging & Crew Shirt
- Thermarest NeoAir Xlite Sleeping Pad
- Big Agnes Tents (Fly Creek UL for solo hiking +dog & Copper Spur for 2 people + dog)
- Garmin inReach Sattelite Tracker (not really needed for this trail)
- Sea2Summit UL Pillow (luxury item :))
- Topo Athletic Trail Running Shoes (2-3 sizes to big)
Feet health hack: Bring some wool! If you are worried about blisters or sore feet you simply stuff a little bit of hikerswool on the sore spot. The pressure point changes and you feet will be fine in no time. It works magic! No need to buy the expensive ‘branded' one from the outdoor store. Any piece of wool will work.
Inspiration
If you want a deeper dive into my own long-distance hiking essentials, check out the video below or download my full gear list. Since I hiked across the Pyrenees (GR11) and had to traverse some serious mountains I finally really learned what is essential and what's not. Here you can download my packing list (including camping gear):
I also made a video what I carry on a multiday hikes. I carried the same on the GR131. Only changed the shoes.
Wild Camping on the GR131 Gran Canaria
Wild camping in Gran Canaria is officially not allowed. You’re expected to use designated campsites, which often require a free permit from the Cabildo. You can find all campgrounds and information on reserving here. Only the one in Tamadaba is really on trail. Morro de Santiago campground is close but not on trail
You might come across a 1993 regulation (Orden de 31 de agosto de 1993) mentioning temporary shelter for people travelling on foot. This is sometimes interpreted as allowing a short bivouac.
In reality, it’s not a free pass to camp anywhere. Permission is still required, and the rule was never meant for recreational wild camping. On the GR131, this creates a bit of a grey zone.
Most hikers combine options. Campsites when they fit the route, accommodation in villages, and occasionally a discreet bivouac when needed.
We came across a really cool cave on trail which I would have loved to sleep in, if it was bed time. I show it in this video and I've marked it on the Ocean Nomads member map.
Leave No Trace When Camping
If you spend a night outside, keep your impact as close to zero as possible.
- camp on durable ground, not fragile vegetation
- keep your spot small and discreet
- take all your waste with you, including toilet paper (or better use a portable bidet)
- go to the toilet at least 60 meters away from water sources and trails
- don’t wash directly in streams or natural water
- avoid noise and respect the silence of the place
- never light fires, especially in dry areas like Gran Canaria
The idea is simple. If someone walks past the next morning, they shouldn’t be able to tell you were there. You are responsible for your own choices here.
You may like reading (or watching): Hygiene & Leave No Trace on Trail.
A Route That Works (with Accommodation)
One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to hike the GR131 in Gran Canaria is logistics. Campsites require permits. Wild camping is not officially allowed. Some stages don’t seem to connect easily. So here’s a version that works in reality. You walk across the island, stay in towns on the trail, and don’t need buses. It can be done!
Where to stay on the GR 131 in Gran Canaria with accommodation?
You can hike this trail in a way that it ends in a places where you can find accommodation. Along the route you’ll find hostels, guesthouses, small hotels, and some campgrounds. There are some budget hostels to be found along trail. However, not many. You'll have more accommodation options to choose from if you're hiking with a buddy or the budget isn't tight.
See below a range of accommodations and campings recommendations. Booking.com often allows for last-minute cancellation, convenient when hiking and all the variables it comes with.
Learn how to get 10-20% off bookings with booking.com when booking numerous hostels or hotels at once.
This is close to how we hiked the GR 131 from Agaete to Mas Palomas, and how you can hike it without a tent.
Agaete to Artenara
Around 20 km
You start in Puerto de las Nieves, just outside Agaete. After walking through town, you start climbing. Properly. It's good to leave early as you'll have quite an uphill to do.
This is one of the toughest days of the GR 131 trek. A steady ascent through steep valleys and barrancos, gaining elevation quickly. You need to be fit to be able to do this. And to make it in time for Artenara. It's definitely doable but don't underestimate the climb. But what a views! If you're lucky you can even see Teide (The highest peak of Spain, in Tenerife) on the background.
As you move higher on the GR 131, you enter the beautiful Tamadaba Nature Park. And this part is worth slowing down for. The pine forests of Tamadaba feel completely different from the rest of Gran Canaria. Cooler air, softer light, quiet trails. It almost feels like a different island. There's a campground in Tamadaba where you can pitch a tent, around 8 kms from Agaete.
From here, you continue toward Artenara, the highest village on the island. It’s quiet, raw, and a beautiful place to arrive after that climb.
Where to stay in Agaete / Puerto de las Nieves
Tamadaba Campground (Between Agaete and Artenara)
Hostels in Agaete
Casa Calma Yoga Hostel (From 24 euro) Centrally located in Agaete town
Midrange accommodation Agaete
Hotel Puerto de las Nieves (From 60 euro) With a swimming pool and close to trail start (or end)
Where to stay in Artenara?
In Artenara it's a bit more difficult to find budget friendly accommodation. That said, there are some really cool cave houses.
Budget accommodation
There's a pretty cool (wild) cave a few kilometers before Artenara. I will not share the location publically as it may have it's impact. I've pinpointed it on the Ocean Nomads member map.
Midrange accommodation
La Cuevita de Hilario (From 85 euro, you'll have a private cave house)
Artenara to Cruz de Tejeda (or Tejeda)
Around 12 km. You’re already high, so this day feels different. More space. More views. Less effort than the day before. The trail passes by Cruz de Tejeda, not by the town of Tejeda. That said, you can consider walking and staying in Tejeda, and it makes a great place for a stay. Tejeda, is often called one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Note that Tejeda is a little bit of a detour to walk to. But it is a good place with many more options to stay, eat well, and maybe slow down a bit after your big uphill from the day before. In Cruz de Tejada, right on trail, there is also accommodation but not budget friendly.
Where to stay in Tejeda?
Budget accommodation Tejeda
Finca la Isa by Rose Mountain House (From 30 euro). This is a little bit of trail but a budget friendly option (with Jacuzzi!)
High end Accommodation Cruz de Tejeda
Parador de Cruz de Tejeda (From 90 euro) This place is on trail, not in the town.
Cruz de Tejada to San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Around 18 to 20 km
This is longer day. You leave the high mountains and begin the long descent toward the south of the island. The landscape changes. It gets warmer. Drier conditions are often found on the Gran Canaria GR131. More open. You arrive in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, also known as Tunte. Note that there's only a very small resupply store here (and a delicious bakery!)
A small historic town with cafés and slow living vibes.
Where to stay in San Bartolome de Tirajana?
Morro de Santiago campground is close but not exactly on trail.
Mid Range Accomodation Tunte
Vista Tunte Camino de Santiago (From 80 euro, close to trail)
San Bartolomé to Ayagaures
Around 10 to 12 km
A quieter, shorter day. Wide valleys, fewer people, and a cool waterfall! Another very pretty, and so different part of the trail again. Ayagaures is a small and simple village which has a really cool oasis sort of area around. On the square you can find a delicious local meal for a very reasonable price (Check opening hours! Kitchen closed at 17.0o when we were there. We were just in time and so hungry). There are not many accommodation options here (but some!). This is probably the most challenging accommodation to fix.
Where to stay in Ayagaures?
Budget Accommodation
Albergue de Ayagaures Contact them directly for the options. This is your best bet for a reasonable priced accommodation.
Mid Range Accomodation
Finca Sowilo (From 90 euro. Sometimes only allow 2 days stay. They also welcome volunteers. This Finca is right on trail in a very cool area.
High End Accommodation
Finca Artemi (From 150 euro) located in Ayagaures
MonteCristo (From 250 euro) located 1.5 km south of Ayagaures
There are some more accommodation options available for stays of +2 days which is something you can consider. You can also consider pushing through to Mas Palomas here. Calculate 3-4 hours more.
Ayagaures to Maspalomas
Around 13 km
The last day feels so different again. Drier. Hotter temperatures and more exposed sections can be found on this part of the Gran Canaria GR131. You pass by some really cool canyons!
Top tip: instead of taking the Barranca from Ayagaures straight to Maspalomas, consider Barranco de los Vicentes. This is what we did and wow, super epic! As opposed to other barrancos, no road passes through this one. It's wild!
You walk back toward the ocean and finish at Maspalomas. Sand, wind, and the sea again. A very different landscape from where you started. Mas Palomas is wild too, but in a different way ;). The end of the trail is at the lighthouse, which is also a cool museum and worth visiting. It's free!
Enjoy the well deserved dip in the ocean!
Where to stay in Maspalomas?
Mas Palomas is a little bit a wild wild west holiday resort. Plenty of option to be found here. You can consider leaving town and go to one of the nearby calmer towns.
Recommended Links & Resources
Official website of Campgrounds Gran Canaria and permit application
GR131 Gran Canaria Trail on AllTrails The full trail visualized
My favourite navigation app: Mapy (Remember to download offline maps)
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FAQ GR131 Gran Canaria
Is the GR131 Gran Canaria well marked
Mostly yes, with red and white trail markers, but a GPX track or Alltrails download is recommended given there are lots of trails crossing.
How many days do you need for the GR131 Gran Canaria?
Around 3 to 6 days depending on pace and accommodation.
Can you wild camp on Gran Canaria?
Not officially. Some hikers do it discreetly, but it comes with responsibility.
Do you need transport between stages?
No. You can walk the entire island if you plan your route well.
Is the GR131 suitable for beginners?
If you’re comfortable with distance and elevation, yes.
What is the hardest part of the GR131 Gran Canaria?
The climb from Agaete to Artenara is the toughest section.
Is there water along the trail?
There are towns along the route, but you should carry enough water, especially in the south.
Is the GR131 similar to the Camino de Santiago?
No. It’s less structured and more flexible.
What makes this trail special
What stayed with me most is how much variety you find on this trail. You start in green, humid north
Move through mountain ridges and volcanic landscapes. And finish in dry desert near the dunes. And you can do it in winter! Also, the contrast with the busy Las Palmas and Mas Palomas is quite wild!
Final Thoughts
You won’t find a clean stage system or seamless logistics. And not too many other hikers (though we met a few). But that’s also what makes the GR131 Gran Canaria feel real.
You cross an island. You move through completely different landscapes along the trail. You pass through places that still feel local and quiet. And if you set it up right, you don’t need buses or complicated planning. It's worth it. I would happily hike it again. Happy Trails!
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Disclaimer: As always, opinions are my own. What drives me is care for nature, get your into nature, and encourage for natural living. If you’re looking to book a place to stay or a gear hike item, Huge thanks if you purchase it via this website Oceanpreneur.co. At no extra cost to you, orders and bookings through this website give me a tiny piece of the pie that helps me keep investigating, exploring, and creating content about living with and for nature.
