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.
The price shown here excludes flights but includes a sole occupancy supplement
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.
Not included
Our Prime Location and 4* 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 4-star hotel.
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 walks begin and end. Hence we have not reserved accommodation on the coast, but close to all our superb walks, so that most of our walks start and end at the hotel.
We have organised our accommodation and meals in the 4 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 prestigious locations. We take full advantage of the cosy rooms and suites this 4-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- but there is a cost for using the swimming pool complex, spa etc. Swimming pool use, 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
Food
Dinner is “A La Carte” in the hotel’s restaurant.
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.
Packed lunches
You can purchase your own lunch at the local shop which provides good baguettes. 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.
Sole Occupancy Supplement
The sole occupancy supplement of £40 per night is already included in the cost of this holiday. – as shown at the top of the page.
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 transports along windy and treacherous road to get to the best walks.
We walk for five days with a day off in the middle.
You purchase your own flights for this holiday.
The price you pay to Secret Hills Walking Holidays is a land only price.
When you reserve your flight, our policy is to enable you to fly from your local airport, wherever possible.
This means that clients will arrive at the destination airport at different times and we will arrange the onward transfers to the hotel, and return you to the airport at the end of the holidays.
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.
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 flights 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.
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
Alta Vista Ridge walk ( 9.5km, 600m ascent and descent)
Walk 2
Almond Blosson Circular walk taking in two local villages 15km, 800m ascent / descent
Walk 3
Hotel to Cruz Grande taking in Pico de Nieves linear hike 16km, 700m ascent, 900m descent
Walk 4
Roque Nublo
15km
Walk 5
Artenera Ridge walk taking in the cave houses 15km, 800m 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.
You need good walking footwear, preferably waterproof walking boots with good soles for protection. You may find that walking poles will aid your enjoyment of this land.
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….
You may book online.
Payment is in two parts – you pay a deposit of 25%, payable when reserving your holiday place. You will receive an invoice for the holiday showing the deposit paid, and full amount to pay for the holiday. This acts as your confirmation.
The balance is due 8 weeks prior to the holiday start date. You will be sent a reminder.
About three weeks prior to departure, we will send you holiday joining details, and details of the transfer from the airport to the appointed hotel we have arranged for you.
Once you arrive at your holiday destination
Secret Hills 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 own 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 Secret Hills Walking Holidays Terms and Conditions – click on the tab on our web site – before you complete the booking form.
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).
We will ask you to provide us with the details of your insurance prior to the holidays start date and it is 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.
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.
I had a wonderful time. Guided walking – As always wonderful. Beautiful island, not what I had expected. We had gorgeous weather as well. The walks were challenging with the ascents and descents which I liked and as a group we were well matched in walking pace.
Organisation of holiday – Excellent, all went very smoothly… Hotel was lovely. Stunning location, the rooms were excellent we all had balconies facing the stunning views. Lounges comfortable, drinks not too expensive and the spa was a nice extra facility. I had a wonderful time. Lovely people in the group, fab walking, food drink etc.
Definitely would recommend. I regularly tell people about Secret Hills.
Thinking of going on a walking holiday? I’ve just come back from Gran Canaria and it was fantastic! The views varied from sunny mountain tops to lush gorges. Many walks began and ended from the hotel we were staying in, so less time was spent on buses and more walking. The two very knowledgeable and experienced leaders, were willing and able to adapt/change routes to meet the varying needs of specific walkers. That resulted in more enjoyment for everyone. The hotel was high up in the mountains with beautiful sunset views from the large terraced area. As a Parador hotel the quality of the food was at a guaranteed high standard. I really appreciated the opportunity to explore genuine Spanish menus and take evening meals in the leisurely local fashion – a good way to relax after an active day.
The holiday was made all the more enjoyable having two brilliant people doing the guiding. Always wanting to make sure we had the best possible experience and saw the best scenery Gran Canaria could offer. The lovely Jill and Peter (walk guides) made the holiday. Fabulous hotel and good experience. Very good food especially breakfast. Dinner was a la carte which was excellent. Most definitely would reserve another holiday.
The walking was very good. Very well organised holiday. Hotel very comfortable and in a wonderful position.
Very well organised holiday. Really liked the hotel. I think if you want peace and quiet and a rural experience it works well.