Gran Canaria- a Walking Continent in Miniature

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. 

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.

Getting there

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.

Transfers to hotel from airport

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.

Quotations

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…

• weather situations
• road closures or fire damage
• the overall capability of the group

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.

• the sun in our winter
• Five star mountain top hotel- superb location, super food and services
• fantastic sunrises and sun sets – rooms designed to take these in.
• walking in superb scenery in the centre of Gran Canaria
• a continent in miniature – a different view at every turn
• local Canarian cuisine
• our relaxed, social approach
• experienced and knowledgeable guides

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….

• We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for singles and solo travellers
• We are a small friendly company
• We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
• We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
• Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
• You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
• Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
• We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
• We always use good hotels, selected and constantly reviewed.
• We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit at one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

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.