Do not hesitate to contact us. We are an expert team and we are always happy to talk to you.
01694 723600
You matter to us & we promise to provide you with a superb walking & social holiday, tailored specifically to your needs. We provide walking holidays for walkers & as walkers ourselves, we appreciate & understand the requirements of a walking holiday.
Gran Canaria is a beautiful natural environment, nearly half of which is protected, but only by walking can you discover the true delights of the islands and its people. Much of our guided walking for solos is in the Cumbre, the central mountain range with dramatic landscapes and remote cave villages. We can discover pine forests, alpine meadows, sub-tropical valleys, mountain peaks and gorges around the Cruz de Tejeda. In spring, the flowers are a delight and much of the flora here is only found on the island due to the unique climate.
Our unique speciality is that we provide guided walking holidays for solos and singles – in some of the most stunning areas across the UK and Europe. We also design bespoke holidays for special groups.
If you decide to book this holiday, please complete the Quotation Request Form in full – this is the first part of the booking process… (as per ATOL requirements).
Our Prime Location and 5* Hotel
Sheltered by rich mountain ranges and winding green valleys, the Hotel Parador de Cruz de Tejeda nestles in the quiet heart of this captivating island, Tejeda is nine miles away. The hotel stands on top of a cliff, 1500 metres above sea level, with unrivalled views
The hotel offers a unique holiday setting, encircled by nature at its purest, it is a great place to explore the magnificent walking in the centre of Gran Canaria. It is a lovely spot with views of cliffs and ravines overlooking the ocean, atop which the Parador de Cruz de Tejeda stands. The hotel is located 35 kilometres from Gran Canara airport, surrounded by nature’
Impressive services and facilities such as extremely comfortable accommodation, a diverse cuisine, a complete spa venue, numerous leisure facilities as well as a refreshing concept in décor and location are distinguishing features that emphasise the essence of this 5-star hotel.
Please note – the hotel we have used for the past 5 years- La Tiranas- has closed, certainly until November 2021.
We are anxious to avoid the long, onerous and challenging journeys from the coast to the centre of our walking routes in the mountains, and where all our walls begin and end. Hence we have not reserved accommodation on the coast.
We have organised our accommodation and meals in the 5 star Parador hotel- at the heart of the mountains perched on a rocky outcrop and 1500 metres high. This affords luxury accommodation but is more expensive than La Tiranas. Our walks are close at hand from this hotel.
Accommodation Features
The hotel is in one of the island’s most precious locations and take full advantage of the cosy rooms and suites this 5-star hotel boasts. The hotel is wonderfully laid out with plenty places to sit and relax whether inside or outside. The Hotel has a swimming pool and sun terrace as well as a sauna and spa and gym that you can use at any time. Massages and Spa treatments are not included in your holiday package but can be booked and paid for direct at the hotel.
Rooms
Rooms are spacious with many additional features. We book standard rooms- all rooms have fabulous views from the room windows. A feature of the layout of the rooms is their position to observe beautiful sunrises and sunsets
Spa facilities
Your stay includes the use of the full Spa facilities – as well as the swimming pools -a swim with a view.
Spa facilities include: Bubble bath/Turkish bath/Treatment rooms/Bithermal shower/Scottish shower/Foot bath/Jet and hydro-massage pool/Sauna/Towel service included
Food
Dinner and breakfast is buffet style. There is a delicious display of suggestions, with a scoop of breath taking scenery “on the side”. Local ingredients offer their most authentic flavours, all prepared with great expertise.
From international buffets, to vegetarian meals, traditional Canary recipes and desserts that will make you beg for more, the 5 star restaurant ” Restaurante Roque Nublo, El Mirador Café” will surpass your expectations. Believing that a healthy diet leads to a better lifestyle, the hotel’s chef will be proud to consider the most demanding of requests in order for you to feel your very best.
Packed lunches
Will consist of baguette and fruit. You may wish to bring your favourite cereal bars if you like a morning snack.
On your day off, you will have to purchase your own lunch at the hotel or in the local village.
For sole occupancy of a twin room there is a single supplement of £39 per night.
Rooms will be twins with plenty of room to spread out.
This is an escorted holiday with UK tour leaders
Gran Canaria is a beautiful natural environment, nearly half of which is protected, but only by walking can you discover the true delights of the islands and its people. We are in the middle of the iconic walking area of Gran Canaria. Unlike other UK walking companies we position ourselves in the heart of the mountains – no one hour transport along windy and treacherous road to get to the best walks.
We walk for five days with a day off in the middle.
As from 13/12/21 – we will quote all our 2022 holidays in two stages.
Stage one – the price for land only.
Stage two – the flight cost from your selected airport to your chosen destination and return.
The combination of the two will add up to the total price we are quoting you.
We have included flights in our pricing.
We believe that you should have the choice of UK airports to fly from – the nearest and most convenient to you is likely also to be the most cost effective. We can advise you prior to your booking flights. Flights are available from most UK airports.
Regional airport flight prices will carry a flight supplement, which will be quoted for you. Flight prices also change based upon how late you book with us. We will always quote you to your exact specification and give you options on flights.
We will transfer you to the hotel from the airport. We will accumulate everyone on the trip together – so you may a have a short wait for all planes to arrive before our transfer can begin. Transfer from the airport to the hotel is 45 mins in a luxury mini bus or taxi.
If you have arranged a flight that does not coincide with the main arrival times, then an additional transfer cost will apply. We will inform you of that cost when you reserve a place.
The journey between the airport and hotel is a steep and windy one- as we climb up to the centre of the island – a magnificent journey- but hundreds of bends.
As part of our system, we will need to send you an official quotation when you enquire and indicate your full interest.
Note- we always try to advise that you fly from your local airport- this is one of the unique selling points for our holidays.
The advantages in cost and convenience however far outweigh any additional local airport supplement- and to support the environment – reducing the overall carbon footprint is good policy.
The walks we offer you enable you to really see the best of the heart of Gran Canaria. Each walk is different and very varied.
On this holiday we walk for 5 days with 1 free day.
The walks shown below are for guidance and we have many walks on Gran Canaria.
Many issues may mean we need to change these prior or during the trip. These include…
Each evening the next days walk will be discussed in detail with you.
Walk 1
A circular 10 mile walk straight from the hotel door which gives you an excellent introduction to San Bartolome area. (approx 6 hrs, 600metres ascent and descent)
Walk 2
AltaVista splendid ridge walk. Described in guidebooks as one of the best walks on the Island. 7 miles, 600 metres ascent and descent.
Walk 3
A classic 13 mile linear walk starting at Cruz de Tejeda and finishing at the hotel with an option of hiking to the highest point on the Island to give you magnificent views.
800 metres ascent/ 1300 metres descent
Walk 4
A figure of eight splendid walk which takes in Roque Nublo. 10 miles, 800 metres ascent and descent.
Walk 5
Another circular walk straight from hotel which takes us South to Santa Lucia, Fataga and back to the hotel which allows us to really see rural Gran Canaria.
10 miles, 700 metres ascent and descent.
Prevailing weather conditions
In Gran Canaria will have a mix of sunny, warm weather- but there could be cloudy conditions and some high level mist- and be prepared for a shower or two..
Exclusions
Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.
They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.
We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.
Great care has been taken selecting our routes to ensure our guests enjoyment and safety. However, due to the challenging nature of the mountainous terrain there will be some steep climbs and descents so a good level of walking fitness is strongly recommended, this will greatly enhance the enjoyment of this walking holiday (a suggested kit list will be issued).
Overall we rate the walking as moderate with some challenging steep ascents and descents.
On good paths, the ground is hard, dusty and very dry, we stop often – taking on water is obligatory, and not every day will be the same – we may take transport higher up, and walk quite a bit of the walk on a reasonably level terrain, then descend.
Gran Canaria is also a very open landscape with little shade – and the sun can be pretty hot during the middle part of the day. Make sure your head and shoulders covering protects well, and of course making sure you hydrate throughout the walk is paramount. Sun protection cream is a must. We do not want any one with heatstroke so prepare well beforehand.
It’s all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress-free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secret Hills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekend’s activities – but it’s good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.
“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.
You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for travelling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.
Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.
Oh – by the way – it’s not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like-minded friends – just relax and enjoy.
Just arrive and enjoy.
There are other walking holiday companies that cover Europe but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….
Do not book on line at this point. Read on and follow the instructions
In order to conform with ATOL bonding requirements, prior to you reserving a holiday with us, we need to provide you with an official quotation. This will contain all the details and costs of the holiday and your requested choice of flights and airports. You will find a GET QUOTE button at the top of the page, use this and fill in the form in order to start the quotation process. Once you have filled in the Quotation Request form, you will get an email confirmation from us.
We partner with New Experience Holidays who provide the ATOL bonding, so all quotations will be sent by them, and you will reserve and pay for your holiday with them.
The quotation process – ATOL BONDING requirement- the quotation is the first part of the contract between us and you.
The quotation will include
– the basic price of the holiday as advertised- the land only price
– the flight cost from the airport of your choice
– single supplement if this applies
– a choice of flights if this is applicable
– any specific requirement such as additional nights/ sea view rooms etc.
– final price and payment information
The Quotation stage – who sends you your quotation
In order to conform to ATOL bonding protection rules, New Experience Holidays will send you your full quotation normally by email- please ask if you want to receive the quotation by post.
Your contacts at New Experience Holidays are Matthew Newcombe, Anna Brown and Paul Sawyer.
We need to know your preferred departure airport. We can guide you about the right airport and options – simply read the web pages for the country you are wanting to visit, or email us for flight advice.
The Booking Process
Once you have accepted the quotation, fill in a New Experience booking form (this can be done online) or send in the completed form, and pay both the deposit – normally £250 – plus the additional flight costs to New Experience.Holidays Final payment is also made to New Experience Holidays.
Once you have booked, you will not be sent a reminder of when to pay the full amount, so please diarise this.
About three weeks prior to departure, New Experience Holidays will send you holiday joining details, including your flight details with instruction to print off your boarding cards.
Once you arrive at your holiday destination
Secret Hills Walking Holidays (Slovenia Walking Holidays) organise all aspects of your holiday– including guiding, transport to walks start and provide you with an experienced tour guide. You make your won arrangements to get to the airport in the UK, we meet you at the airport you are flying to, and help you with your transfer to the appointed hotel.
It is important to read New Experience Holidays’ Terms and Conditions – click on the tab on their web site – before you sign the booking form.
Our Partners in Europe Walking
Secret Hills Walking are pleased to be associated with New Experience Holidays, who organise flights, accommodation and transfers for these holidays and provide you with ATOL security.
All your joining instructions and individual flight arrangements will be made by them. Once you have committed to a holiday, and have accepted the individual quote we send, New Experience will send you a reservation form and all deposits / final payments will be made to them. Secret Hills Walking is responsible for marketing and selling the holidays and for arranging your itinerary when you arrive at the airport in the country you are visiting. You will receive individual attention throughout your holiday from us.
ATOL Bonding – New Experience Holidays REGISTRATION
Insurance – you need to be fully covered
It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against travel, medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). Our partners New Experience holidays will ask for this information as a condition of reserving a place. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is available only online from the UK Government website. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate travel insurance.
Gran Canaria is a beautiful natural environment, nearly half of which is protected, but only by walking can you discover the true delights of the islands and its people.
Much of our walking is in the Cumbre, the central mountain range with dramatic landscapes and remote cave villages, as well as in the fertile north, where we venture into deep valleys with lush vegetation. We can discover pine forests, alpine meadows, sub-tropical valleys, mountain peaks and gorges around the Cruz de Tejeda . In spring the flowers are a delight and much of the flora here is only found on the island due to the unique climate.
Gran Canaria is much drier than its neighbours.
Also known as the ‘miniature continent’, Gran Canaria is renowned for its marked contrasts. On a single day, we can enjoy marvellous beaches surrounded by dunes and climb peaks covered in Canary Island pine forests, with their greenery standing out starkly against the dark volcanic earth
Along the way, we’ll encounter steep ravines, valleys, imposing rocks and volcanic calderas, amazing cliffs… Incredible places we can see from hiking trails, stopping every now and then to look at all the beautiful scenery. Or we can also see the island by car or public transport, as Gran Canaria has an extensive network of well-kept roads.
Initial enquiry about holiday very efficient and clear – nice to get personal email from Alan.Hotel wa
s Clean and comfortable – lots of space to chill out. Guided walking was excellent – Jill was so knowledgeable and passionate and cared deeply that everyone should have a great time. Organisation, Brilliant! Wish I was still there!
Excellent! Jill made every effort to make everyone feel included and gave lots of information about the scenery and walks. Safety was clearly a high priority as Jill warned us about obstacles eg loose stones in advance and helped people over the trickier sections. Airport transfers went smoothly and everything walk-wise seemed to run like clockwork. I had a thoroughly enjoyable break with lots of fresh air, exercise, laughing and conversation and food and drink. I am looking at the next potential break and have also recommended to a friend who I think will enjoy the Secret Hills experience. Top marks to Jill for discovering the hotel with such stunning views. The bakery in Tunte was a hidden gem as well, providing huge baguettes and ‘cake of the day’. ”
I thoroughly enjoyed the walks, the knowledge of our guide Jill, the company of people previously met on other Secret Hills holidays and new Secret Hills walkers. Varied terrain and scenery. Well thought out to appreciate the island. I will look to book another Secret Hills holiday. Overall a lovely and enjoyable holiday. Thank you to Jill and Secret Hills
I have been enjoying Secret Hills walking holidays for a few years now and regularly hear about the joys of walking in the winter sun. Well this year, I finally got there….and what a treat it was! I can’t believe how wonderful it was to spend a week in the glorious sunshine on Gran Canaria…in the middle of a grey, wet and cold London winter!! The island is incredible with such a diverse landscape and the most spectacular views in every direction – there was a ‘wow’ around every corner! I love walking in the UK, but this island is something else – rugged mountains, barren moon-like plateaus, lush forests, woodlands and quaint villages. Jill was our walk leader and as always, she inspired, encouraged and challenged us all and we were rewarded with an amazing and fun week. We stayed at the most fabulous hotel, perched on a hill with incredible sunrises coming up over the valley and coast. I would highly recommend everyone to take advantage of any (or all !!) of the winter sun holidays – it’s so good for the soul to see the blue sky, feel the sun, breathe the fresh air and spend a week in the company of great fun people.
Jill is, as ever, an excellent guide with a good selection of walks. She gave clear briefings and also tailored walks to suit the needs of the group. You did a great job. I will come again and I frequently recommend Secret Hills Walking Holidays to friends.